The moment one sits down to read the heartwarming anthology on “Indian Christmas” it feels like unwrapping a treasure trove of diverse festive traditions that paint a beautiful picture of Christmas celebrations across India, Editors Jerry Pinto and Madhulika Liddle weave together essays, poems,images and hymns, both in English and translates from many Indian languages to capture every bit of Christmas magic in the culturally rich and diverse nation.
A Look Within The Pages
The book starts with an observation by Madhulika Liddle that Christmas in India has been “Tropicalized”. This sets the tone for an exploration of the festival’s adaptation to the local flavours and traditions. From homely chicken curry to duck curry with appam in Kerala, the anthology takes us to the kitchens and homes where Christmas is celebrated with love and flavours that are familiar to the Indian palate.
One of the anthology’s highlighted intriguing aspects is the contemporary poetry of Arul Cellatturia, a Catholic poet of the Sangam tradition. Through Paula Richmans’s translation, Cellatturia draws parallels between the moon and Jesus, offering a new perspective on the festival. The juxtaposition of Sangam poetry with the image of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni adds a layer of complexity to the cultural tapestry of Christmas in India.
Patricia Mukhim, the editor of Shillong Times, emphasises the dynamic nature of Christmas as a “mobile feast.” In cities like Shillong, formality and social distances blur during the festive season, Mukhim gives us a picture of Christmas where one can end up at anybody’s house, breaking barriers of hierarchy, be it a chief minister or a headmaster of a school. It is a celebration of going beyond boundaries and togetherness of people in the spirit of joy and camaraderie.
It beautifully captures how Christmas becomes a community affair in many places, a step away from western culture’s emphasis on familial celebrations. Veio Pou, a Manipur Naga writer, describes the community feasts being organised by designated families and the vibrant atmosphere of Yuletide music blaring from PA systems, featuring the likes of Boney M, ABBA and Jim Reeves.
The book also takes us back in time to the historical roots of Christmas in India, tracing it almost to the time of Christ. St. Thomas, one of Christ’s apostles, is believed to have been in India shaping the early celebrations. The book dispels the historical inaccuracy in the iconic Christmas cards featuring snow, painting a more authentic picture of the Indian essence of the festival.
The anthology includes contributions from a range of writers like Easterine Kire, Damodar Mauzo, Hansa Sowvendra Shekhar, Vivek Menezes and many more. Each one gives us a new perspective on Christmas traditions and celebrations from regions like Goa, Nagaland, Kerala, Delhi, Ranchi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Shillong and rural Jharkhand.
The visual elements in the book include Mughal miniatures depicting the birth of Jesus, paintings by Jyoti Sahi and Sister Marie Clarie inspired by folk art, and photographs from Christmas in Aizawl, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi.
The Takeaway
“Indian Christmas” is not just a book, it is a nostalgic and magical journey in which we experience Christmas in various cultures. A celebration of resilient cheer and a spirit of love that defines Christmas in India. The one-of-a-kind collection pays a heartfelt tribute to a great Indian festival. As we read the stories within we witness how Christmas has been embraced, cherished and uniquely celebrated across this diverse land.
