I was in a class where the kids were taught about what family meant. One of the teachers asked a student: How many brothers and sisters did she have? Pat came the reply from the five-year-old: “Three!” I know the little girl’s family personally, and I am aware that she is the only child. She was referring to her cousins who lived almost ten thousand miles away.
I could totally relate to this incident. That is one of the nicest things that our parents teach us in Indian culture. We grow up learning that besides our siblings, our cousins are also our brothers and sisters. It is our responsibility to look out for one another. Some of us hold on to those values instilled in us and try to pass them on to the next generation.
The cultural mosaic of India is woven by festivals, customs, and traditions that are unique in their own ways. One such festival is Raksha Bandhan which honors the brother-sister relationship. The celebration is not just confined to siblings but extends to cousins and friends who are deemed to be close and special.
It’s all about rakhis but I did not tie one!
The Indian supermarket that I visited a few days ago was all set for Raksha Bandhan with a colorful display of rakhis. As always, it will be celebrated on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravana. This year, the festival falls on August 19.
In five decades, I have never tied a rakhi on my brother although he is among the sweetest and most caring siblings on this earth. The reason being that Assam, where I was born and raised, did not have this custom.
However, my brother got to be a part of this special day when he was at school. We would see him coming home with rakhis tied on both wrists by his girl classmates. He studied at one of those central schools that had students from all over India, and obviously most of them were initiated to this ritual. Things have changed over the years with acculturation and assimilation having their effects, and it is not surprising to see Assamese people observing Raksha Bandhan.
The mythological reference
Of the many stories that the legends tell, one comes from the Mahabharata which talks about the strong bond between Lord Krishna and Draupadi. There is a sweet tale of how Draupadi once tore a piece of fabric from her saree and wrapped it around Krishna’s bleeding finger to soothe his pain. He was so touched by her kindness that he promised to protect her in any ordeal that she might face.
It is believed that the concept behind tying a rakhi is linked to this incident in the epic. The sister ties a thread around the brother’s wrist as a symbol of comfort and affection. In return, he gives her a gift and vows to protect her.
Peeking into history
Raksha Bandhan is traditionally known to celebrate the brother-sister relationship, but there is an inspiring story from the corridors of history. In 1905, during the British rule over India, Lord Curzon conspired to separate the people on religious grounds. It was then when Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore organized a Raksha Bandhan rally to unite the Hindus and the Muslims. After taking a dip in the holy river Ganges, Tagore directed the rally to a mosque where rakhis were tied on the clerics. The thread basically stood for unity among the masses. The purpose was to convey the message that with an open mind, people could transcend all barriers and differences and live in harmony.
We are beginning to see a refreshing change in the narrative
A practice that has been going on in India for centuries has in recent times witnessed a change that is indeed progressive. Raksha Bandhan celebrations are moving towards being gender-neutral. Nowadays, brothers are seen tying threads on their sisters’ wrists. It is also heartwarming when siblings of the same gender put the sacred thread on each other.
The underlying concept behind this festival is all about love and protection. So it makes absolute sense that siblings need to care for and protect each other, irrespective of their gender.
To all of you who celebrate, have a very happy Raksha Bandhan!
rashmi writes 