It’s that time of the year when the longing for both maa and mitti is heightened in emotion. Whether it’s the metro professional or the big town auto driver, everyone heads home eastwards to pay obeisance to Chhati Maiyaa!
Even we can’t keep it under control ’cause it’s Chhath Puja time. The most auspicious day of the year when the states of Bihar, U.P, Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal come alive with culture and tradition.
Families get together to worship the rising and setting Sun God along his holy consort Chhati Maiyaa.
Environmentalists have claimed that Chaath Puja is the most environment-friendly festival in the world. This is only one of the many reasons to feel good about this pious day.
As popular Bihari Spoken word poet, Vikash Singh says:
“Chhath is not just a parv or festival for us, it is an
ee-mo-sun (emotion) that runs in our blood”.
No one can truly feel what this emotion is except those who have felt and grown up with this blessing. Many young professionals, wage workers and those living abroad are sometimes not able to go home during this time and it can be quite disheartening. Then some are losing touch with this tradition in the name of modernity.
The customs, family traditions and feel of the land are significantly heightened around this time. If you are spending the festival with your family then experience the joy of it as a huge blessing.
To inspire some feel-good emotion and instill some Desi Pride around Chhath Puja, Bharat Express has curated some videos of poetry, short films and songs to heighten the amazing Chhath feeling.
The Chhath Puja Spoken Word Viral Poem
The very emotional poetry filmed for Social Tape by young Bihari poet Vikash Singh took the internet by storm.
The Chhath Puja emotion has been expressed beautifully by this proud Bihari, whose cool and emotional poetry will give you goosebumps. His experiential words are laden with feeling. It will redefine your idea of what is cool and you too will say with pride “Koi puchhe jo pehchaan tera, garv se keh dena hum Bihar se hai”
His heart-touching poem oozes emotion and here is a short excerpt :
“Mitr toh phir bhi mitr hai
Hum dushman ko bhi gale lagate hai,
Guys ,buddy yeh sab aapke dhakonsle honge,
hum toh Bauaa keh ke bulaate hai”
Click on the video for the full poem and feel the Chhath Puja ee-mo-sun that runs in the blood of its believers.
Chhath Puja for the Indian Soul in Firangi Land
The first International Chhath Puja song. This one’s for you folks living abroad. It is a lovely lilting song with an adorable video that promotes cultural diversity and acceptance of different cultures through the bond of marriage. Watch with full Desi Pride even if you live in Firangi land.
An Ode to Bihar on Chhath Puja by Neetu Chandra
It doesn’t get more mainstream than this!
This freshly released music video by Sunidhi Chauhan and Neetu Chandra Srivastava went viral within hours of its release. Directed by National Film Award-Winning director Nitin Neera Chandra, the song is a depiction of gratitude for the abundance of nature and a perfect ode to the Bihar culture.
Desh Unplugged for Chhath Puja
The Multi Award Winner Singer-Composer VISHAL MISHRA along with accompanists, vocalists and live orchestra delivers a lovely acoustic song under the Desh Unplugged franchise that will please the soul.
Short Films on the theme of Chhath Puja
These two short films will be extremely relatable to the young working professionals who leave their homes to come work in the big city. They may go outside of their homeland but their homeland never goes out of them and nor does the emotion of Chhath Puja which runs in their blood.
These films are especially relevant for raising awareness and empathy amongst those who are outside of the states where Chhath is celebrated.
Chatth is a very important aspect for some people and it has been beautifully captured here. If your boss has cancelled your leave please share these films with him or her. You can thank us later when you end up celebrating Chhath with your family.
Mitti and Ma both call on Chhath Puja – Be found
If you have lost touch with the Chhath Puja tradition or are curious to know more about the history and significance of this festival then Manoj Muntashir is here to help.
From stories around Chhath Puja to customs, traditions, and practices, everything you ever wanted to know is right here. It’s informative, festive and feel-good.
Get to know about the Mahabharat connection to Chhath Puja, the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam practice that the festival of Chhath imbibes and much more!
Wishing everyone a very auspicious Chhath Puja!
May Chhati Maiyaa bless you all year round!
