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bismillah khan
July 2009 
Festivals and Religion
Posted on Aug 21st, 2006
by 
Anand
Anand
I attended a local Onam festival over the weekend. Onam is "an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala." In the principal Hindu mythological story related to Onam, Vishnu comes to earth as an avatar - Vamana - and sends Emperor Bali into the netherworld. Since Bali is actually a benevolent ruler, Vishnu permits him to return once a year to visit his subjects. Onam is a celebration of the king's return.
What I find interesting about Onam is the wholehearted participation of Kerala Christians and Muslims in the festival. Onam has attained a reputation of being celebrated across the caste and religious spectra which is very refreshing and positive, especially in light of the regressively religious times we live in. Clearly, the media should be turning the spotlight on festivals such as these which embody an un-selfconscious religious harmony. For instance, considering the ancient traditions that the Lebanese have inherited, are there similar cross-religious festivals in Lebanon that bring Christians and Muslims together? Would be good to know.
In other news, Ustad Bismillah Khan passed away today. He was a noted exponent of the shehnai - a reed woodwind instrument - in the Indian classical music tradition. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about Indian classical music but I do know that Bismillah Khan is sorta the Indian equivalent of Miles Davis which will give you some idea of his impact. And Bismillah Khan seems to have cheerfully blended being a Shia Muslim together with a devotion to Saraswati - the goddess of the arts. (Saraswati can play a mean guitar solo since she has four hands :-) Another expression of cross-religious harmony.
What I find interesting about Onam is the wholehearted participation of Kerala Christians and Muslims in the festival. Onam has attained a reputation of being celebrated across the caste and religious spectra which is very refreshing and positive, especially in light of the regressively religious times we live in. Clearly, the media should be turning the spotlight on festivals such as these which embody an un-selfconscious religious harmony. For instance, considering the ancient traditions that the Lebanese have inherited, are there similar cross-religious festivals in Lebanon that bring Christians and Muslims together? Would be good to know.
In other news, Ustad Bismillah Khan passed away today. He was a noted exponent of the shehnai - a reed woodwind instrument - in the Indian classical music tradition. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about Indian classical music but I do know that Bismillah Khan is sorta the Indian equivalent of Miles Davis which will give you some idea of his impact. And Bismillah Khan seems to have cheerfully blended being a Shia Muslim together with a devotion to Saraswati - the goddess of the arts. (Saraswati can play a mean guitar solo since she has four hands :-) Another expression of cross-religious harmony.
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