Cultural Notes: New Year Celebrations.
Of Sub-Cultures within Cultures.
So, today, April 9, 2024, marks the new year for some people in the South and West of India.
April signifies the beginning of new years on various dates across different regions and groups in India, coinciding with the start of the harvest season.
For instance, in the Northwest region of Punjab, the harvest festival known as ‘Baisakhi,’ marks the new year around mid-April.
Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, a southern state that houses fintech support for major global firms, the new year is celebrated in April, with this year's date falling on April 14.
In contrast to the Chinese New Year, which typically falls in February, new years are celebrated at different times of the year, with many occurring in April, depending on the region, community, and culture.
Some regions and communities in India, particularly in the West and North, observe their new year at the time of Diwali, in the fall while the rest of the land merely celebrates it as a victory of good over evil.
Cultures within a culture - that is the essence of India. What is common? Well, that is a subject for another post!
Today though it is time to usher in the new year for people in Maharashtra (the home state of Mumbai), Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana (home state of Hyderabad, another tech city), and Karnataka (home state of Bangalore), though each region observes it in its unique way.
In Maharashtra and Goa, it is known as Gudi Padwa, while in the southern states, it is referred to as 'Ugadi,’ - from the distortion of the Sanskrit word 'Yug' (era or epoch) and 'Adi' (beginning).
Despite the variations in cultural practices, the essence of the day remains consistent – a time for special worship, culinary delights, traditional attire, and exchanging wishes for new beginnings.
Some Indian media articles online suggest that Ugadi's origin is linked to the belief that the Creator-God, Brahma, initiated creation on this day. However, as they do not cite or trace this to specific texts, its precise origin remains unconfirmed.
Others also suggest that a 12th century famous mathematician and astronomer - Bhaskaracharya (born in Karnataka) - decided that this day be the start of the new year based on the lunar calendar.
Whatever the origins, the celebration has been preserved and carried over through generations of people in these regions.
To access more insights on ancient new year traditions and rituals preserved through generations, including personal photos of festival platters, mangoes, trees, and curated recipe links, consider upgrading your subscription today. As a welcome offer, enjoy a 15% discount!