| 'Vhoddlem Fest' or 'Saant-mari' - the Element that Bonds Rural Mangalore |
| by Gladson D'Almeida |
|
October 20, 2005 As the 'Vhodlem Fest' season started in the Mangalore Diocese, on October 19, Wednesday, the Fest was celebrated in Sampige Parish of Moodubidri Varado. Daijiworld's Raymond D`Cunha, along with photographer from Pratiroopa Moodubidri, caught some memorable moments to cherish for the benefit of those who are away from home and, who, given an opportunity, would have loved to attend the Vhoddlem fest... Mangalore is known for its rich culture and tradition and Mangaloreans are known for their hospitality and warmth. Here 'Mangaloreans' means not only those who are born and bred in the city area, but the term Mangaloreans embraces all people from the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada irrespective of place, religion and caste etc. Though people of several religions live in the region, there has been a wonderful, cordial relationship amongst them.
Christians have a rich and long tradition of their own. They have become very much part and parcel of the local culture and heritage over the centuries. As if to tell this loudly, it is often seen that people of all religions throng in devotion to their feasts and celebrations. Among all feasts and celebrations, the one which is liked by all is surely, 'Vhoddlem Fest' or 'Saant-mari'. This is the season of 'Vhoddlem Fest'. With the beginning of November, the feasts start and they go up to the beginning of Lenten season. In local parlance, it is called 'Saant-mari', which may be a colloquially worn out version of 'Saint Mary', with the original inspiration coming from the Bandra feast in Mumbai or Monte Mariano in Farangipet. Vhoddlem Fest has a long history. Previously almost every parish in the region used to celebrate this feast. But with the change of times, the tastes of the people too have changed. Already a few parishes have abolished this beautiful celebration, citing a variety of reasons. In some other parishes, it has lost its past glory and pomp as celebration is restricted to only one day. What is 'Vhoddlem Fest' ? 'Vhoddlem' means big and fest means feast. So this joined together becomes 'big feast'. (Interestingly, the local Muslims use a similar term 'Pernal' which has an identical connotation.) Indeed, it is a big feast not only for the parishioners, but for the people of neighbouring parishes and relatives and friends as well. The feast is usually observed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday evening - the festive eve, officially termed 'Vespers' - the paraliturgical service of 'Adoration and Blessing of the Sacrament' is held. Thereafter the family members return home along with their relatives and friends. In some parishes, a display of fireworks is held after the paraliturgical service. But the real feast and fun awaits the family where all relatives and guests gather. The feast goes on up to midnight with a lot of talking, laughing and merriment, sharing and then with a family agape with traditional 'sannas' (idlies). Wednesday is a momentous day for the entire parish fraternity. While a solemn Eucharist is held with guest priests, the church is full with devotees from far and near. Though the church celebrations come to an end with the Mass, the celebrations continue at the family level where all relatives gather for a fraternal or family meal. In some places church organizations hold cultural programmes such as dramas, musical nites etc in the evening. The church fair or 'saant' outside is a venue for enjoyment. Vhoddlem Fest is a time for celebrations. This is a special time for children as they get to wear new clothes, eat lot of ice cream, go around in the fair and buy toys and gifts for themselves. The youth in the parish have an excellent opportunity to come together and organize cultural activities; the parish choir puts up an excellent show under the baton of the choir master. This means it is a celebration of the entire parish community, which brings them together and cements their unity. On the family front, vhoddlem fest perhaps is the only feast at which relatives and friends converge. All the members in the family are busy. In spite of this busy schedule, they find time to sit together and talk to each other. Family members, who are abroad or far, assemble at home for this annual celebration. Another beautiful aspect of this celebration is that almost all parishes used to have these celebrations by rotation on Wednesdays which meant that one could get a chance to visit the houses of all the relatives. It is an exchange of love, warmth and fraternal feelings towards our own near and dear ones. Although care is taken to avoid clash of dates of different parishes, many a time they coincide because of the total number of parishes far exceeds the Wednesday slots available in a year. But in the recent years, these Vhoddlem Fests have been vanishing from our midst. Most of the parishes in the city, especially in and around Mangalore, have done away with the Saant-mari on the pretext of cutting down the expenses or not making a show off etc. But the celebrations are still on in rural parts with the same glory and pomp. The fact is that for most of the Catholics in the region, the Vhoddlem Fest is much closer to heart than Christmas and Easter even. Ask the children, as to which feast they like most, and the prompt comes the answer that 'vhoddlem fest'. But somehow, our modern generation has come to do away with this beautiful ancient tradition which they consider to be a waste of time and money. But those who know the importance of relationship, relatives and family bonds, would always love to have a vhoddlem fest which brings them together. Vhoddlem Fest is not only the feast of a parish but it is the feast of each family in the parish. We may have to re-invent this culture and give a new life to Saant-maris which will surely help us in building better families and better parishes. |
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