*This was written by me on the day of Ugadhi, a few days ago on April 11th.
Andhariki Ugadhi
Shubhakankshalu.
Today is Ugadhi, the start of the Telugu New Year. Coming
from a Telugu family, we celebrate this festival with great pride. Unlike other
Indian festivals which do more with poojas and lengthy rituals, most families
celebrate this festival in a very simple way. Wearing new traditional clothes
to celebrate the day, praying god for a prosperous and prospective year and
eating some of the exclusive annual ugadhi
pachadi.
Now, this ugadhi
pachadi is the reason Ugadhi is one of my favorite festivals. Not only
because of its delicious, exotic taste but because it contains a deep symbolism
behind its existence.
So this dish is made of 6 ingredients, each symbolizing
something…something that makes up life.
Ripe banana pieces, for its sweetness, signify happiness and
glory.
Neem buds, for its bitterness, symbolize the grief and
sadness one faces in life.
Green chili, just like we all know for having its spicy
taste, signifies anger and wrath one feels at some point of time.
Salt, because of its apparent saltiness, signifies fear.
Tamarind juice symbolizes disgust and shame, considering its
sour
Mango, which contains a whirling taste, signifies surprise.
So that’s the base of this ugadhi pacchadi and what it’s actually supposed to contain. But of
course we tend to modify this original recipe, because who exactly in their
right minds would eat green chili on purpose?
But that’s how our forefathers and ancestors meant it to
stand by, and honestly, that very concept of life symbolized all in one dish is
astonishing.
Ugadhi, a day dedicated to thanking god for where we are,
asking him for his blessings and hoping he would grace us for the next year, is
a day of realizing, offering and celebrating.
And of course, it gives you a chance to make a whole new
list of new years resolutions.