QOTD: Christmas an Indian festival?

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Christmas is just two days away, and the trees and stars are twinkling already. Markets are so filled with that it could even be a Diwali or an Eid. Christmas has finally arrived in India with all its regional hues.

In Kerala mass is said in Malayalam, in churches across Goa priests say prayers in Konkani.

A typical Christmas meal could range from Christmas cake to spicy curries and even typically local dishes.

And Christmas finery at midnight mass ranges from saris and bindis to salwar kameez> - almost as if all the colours of India are equally represented at Christmas.

Santa Claus seems to speak only one language now - the language of love and the language of children.

On CNN-IBN's Face the Nation, talking about the big festival were Bishop Anil Couto of Delhi Archdiocese, Gerson da Cunha, Convenor of Agni - a civic tights group in Mumbai and Derek O'Brien, Quiz Master and Author.

Is Christmas now a true Indian festival?

There is something very inclusive about Christmas. What is that something about Santa Claus that makes it is so uniquely non-denominational?

"Christmas has become a universal festival. In Kerala, Catholics perform puja and very Indian rituals on Christmas. Everyone makes sure that the visitors to his house get the Christmas cake. A few days ago, a bandh was called off very graciously in Kolkata because of Christmas. Even then that there would be a measly 2 per cent Christians in Bengal," says quizmaster Derek O'Brien.

The figure of Santa Claus, the decorated trees, the mistletoes - is it more of folk than it is religious in a way?

"All festivals have become everybody’s festivals. But I feel sad that some of the cultural aspects of Christmas in Mumbai have vanished. When I was a boy, silver trays were used to arrive with sweets of various kinds. Yet, I agree with those who believe that Christmas has become everybody’s festival," says Gerson da Cunha, convener of Agni - a civic tights group in Mumbai.

Voila! Christmas is a national festival today.

Christianity is very much of the Indian soil now, says Bishop Anil Couto of Delhi Archdiocese.

"You cannot anymore call Christianity as a religion that has come from outside. The stigma that used to be attached with the nomenclature before is not there anymore. The religion has indeed been a part of the Indian culture. Christmas is indeed a national festival of India as much it is Diwali or Eid," says Anil Couto.

The figure of Santa Claus is not that of a heroic martial figure. Unlike that of Ram with a trident in his hand, Santa is someone who is the beloved of all kids.

"There are lots of people in Bengal who would prefer to call Santa Claus as Santa dadu. I think we are not far away from time when jingles will be translated in regional languages," says Derek.

It has been said that a Christian from Mumbai is more in common with a Hindu or Muslim from Mumbai than he is with a Christian in Delhi.

Do regions matter more than religion?

"I have never felt any distinction between a Hindu or Muslim in Mumbai. We are going to have midnight mass out in the open in Mumbai as the noise pollution rules have been relaxed for that purpose," says Gerson da Cunha.

On being asked as to what is the relationship between Santa Claus and the Jesus story, Bishop Anil Couto said, "Santa Claus stands for bishop somewhere in Europe who used to be so much involved in the lives of the people that people say he would go in the night and drop gifts into the houses of people in need. That tradition somehow became a part of the Christmas story."

Bishop said that Christmas is about sharing happiness with others, a theme that became a part of the Santa story.

Commercialization attached to Christmas

With the changing times, in a consumer-driven economy, Christmas has attached more meaning for the companies producing gifts and specialized items for the festival. Is the spiritual aspect of the festival been undervalued in some sense?

"I don’t think so. Christmas has become a commercial feast but I don’t think that the spirituality of Christmas has gone. Santa Claus is named after Saint Nicklaus. Christmas tree is being seen today in offices and schools. What is spiritual has become commercial at the same time," says Gerson da Cunha.

A general perception about having a Christmas party is perhaps that it is very upbeat and high class. Does the wine and turkey feast attaches a social dimension to an otherwise spiritual fest?

"Yes it does, but I think that is good. A lot of non-Christians feel pride in throwing a lavish Christmas party which is indeed a good sign," says Derek.

"Most of us in India start our Christmas preparations from after 20th while in abroad, they start right after thanksgiving," adds Derek.

Christmas Quiz File by Derek O'Brien

The three kings who came to visit Jesus Christ, what were the three gifts that they carried to Jesus?

Ans: They carried gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

*The day after Christmas is called a ‘Boxing Day’. Why is it called so?

Ans: ‘Boxing Day’ comes from the word boxes. People open their boxes on a day after Christmas to find out what presents they have got, thus its called the boxing day.

*What is the connection between caribou and Christmas?

Ans: Caribou is the other name for rein deer that pulls the sledge.

*What were the names of the three kings?

Ans: Caspar (aka Gasper), Melchior and Balthasar.