Birthday Traditions, Southern India

by VB
(Chennai,Tamil nadu,India)

Birthdays are given importance in the culture of South Indian tradition. Unlike some countries that celebrate birthdays only once a year, here birthdays are celebrated twice: once, based on English calendar which came to practice because of British rule of yester years, and the second time based on Tamil Calendar, which has 60 years for a cycle.

Of all the birthdays, the 1st birthday of an infant has most significance. It is celebrated with the elders of the family, and near and dear ones. The ceremony blesses the child with pujas and homas. These customs represent sacrifices to the 5 natural forces: fire, water, air, ether, and the mother earth.

Flowers are used to make garlands for the child, for the worship ceremony of God, and for making of sacrifices. The ceremony requires shaving of the child’s head to bestow health, longevity and vitality. Next follows the ear-piercing ceremony. Whether it is a male or female infant, the ear-piercing ceremony is mandatory. This may sound cruel to many, but in fact, it has ancient scientific knowledge hidden beneath it, similar to acupuncture.

Every year at my home, I celebrate my birthday by getting up early and taking whole body and head bath. Next, I get blessings from my parents by falling on their feet. Usually, my parents give new dresses and other gifts to us at this moment.

After putting on the new dress, I participate with the whole family in the household prayers. These are offered to Gods, Goddesses, and their ancestors. After the ritual of getting blessings and wishes from parents, it is mandatory to visit the temple. This shows the importance of parents in the society, who deserve more respect than the respect we have towards God.

Culinary delights are one of the highlights on my birthday! Along with milk sweets, traditional dessert called ‘payasam’ is made using jaggery, rice, and coconut. This dessert symbolizes prosperity and happiness throughout life. A savoury snack similar to bhajji called ‘vada’ is made to accompany the sweet payasam.

The day ends by donating some new clothes to orphanage, by providing food to the needy ones, and other forms of charity.