Next week end 18th 19th September and until 14 to 21 days thereafter Goa celebrates its traditonal "Chovoth" . Preparations are agog with traditional artisans in Goa giving finishing touches to clay image of Lord Ganesh prepared from "shaaduchi mati" (now that the Bombay High Court has imposed a ban on Plaster of Paris made images which are non solvent when immersed in water and are a source of pollution) . Fragementation of the joint families, shift from rural to urban areas, economic advancement and the nuclear families have resulted in either the "sarvajanik" all community celebration of the festivity or in individual households and apartments . Many consevative traditional bound families still prefer to hold the festivities at their native places . This is indeed the time when local census could be taken because many of the non natives move to their native places . In Mormugao Taluka itself places like New Vaddem Headland Sada have almost all the houses under lock and key and not surprisingly the thieves are on the prowl.
Earlier the "matolli" was intended to place as offering the tradional fruits grown in one's garden land /orchad today however the fruits are no longer grown therefore one either purchases them or prefers to put up artificial ones made of plastic mould or plaster of paris so that they can adorn the "pattis" every year . Then there is the "vozem" of gifts items .
The celebration of "Chovoth" depends on the family concerned some observe the one and half day, five, seven, nine, eleven, fourteen and twenty one days worshipping of Lord Ganesh before it is immersed in the traditonal water tanks ponds rivers or the sea.
In Goa "Chovoth" generally is welcomed by all communities the Catholics and Hindus because Lord Ganesh a mythological caricature (trunk of an elephant )symbolises the good will comunal harmony . Schools observe a week end vacation too otherwise commercial establishments observe two days holidays.
But economic empowerment amongst the Hindus mainly from the Bahujan Samaj has resulted in ostentatious display of wealth. The State Government pays either salary in advance others grant a festival advance to ensure that extranumerory expenses for the celebrations does not suffer.
With materialism creeping and ethics moral values fallen by the wayside there are numerous raffles floated with gifts ranging from a fourwheeler to to refrigerators microwave cookers vaccum cleaners two wheelers TVs mobiles and what have you.
But with advancement in electronics CDs DVDs and different kinds of music gadgets are within the reach of all and sundry.
"Chovoth" has over the years created the most human-created noise harmful to health besides the daily cacophony of sounds from automobiles construction and manufacturing activities .
In especially the urban areas right from morning to midnight the "Sarvajanik Mandals' or shops or Co-Operative Housing Socieites blare their recorded music to almost deafening sounds , others replay the same songs all this to such an extent that with a person subjected to almost 45 decibels of noise, the average person cannot sleep. At 120 decibels the ear registers pain, but hearing damage begins at a much lower level, about 85 decibels. The duration of the exposure is also important. and children senior citizens are the worst affected. This nuisance is almost lost sight of by the law enforcing authorities in the name of "Chovoth"
Some foreigners and well meaning refined cultured citizens have always wondered why such beautiful classical or Indian Hindu religious music which otherwise sounds pleasant to the ears and can almost put one into a trance is played so crudely that it destroys the solemnity and gaiety of the festivity? Surely the gods would have never vouched for such blaring music so why do so many HIndus especially the Bahujan Samaj think otherwise? Cant they be modest in playing music which is pleasant to the ear one wonders?
Last year there was almost no use of crackers ( in Goa it is for Ganesh Chaturthi that crackers are fired to a greater extent than at Dipawali) and it was wonderful .thanks to the campaign by well meaning citizens and action groups to save children who are exploited in making these products . Then the reverting to the traditional clay made images which dissolve easily was another boon to the traditional artisans and Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries as well.
This year lets say NO to NOISE POLLUTION -- let us have a enjoyable "CHOVOTH" with music smooth clear and pleasant to the year.
"GANAPATI BAPA" would surely enjoy enchanting music -- not a cacaphony of wild sounds repetitively.
GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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