In my opinion, the drastic change that happened in observing Ramzan over the years is that increasing comforts have been affecting the divinity of the month. In my childhood days at Kallayi in Kozhikode, it was Ramzan immersed in poverty. Still, it evoked the unique simplicity and an amazing camaraderie among a vast section of people.
Days were welcomed with a new vigour and hopes flying high. Once we experience the discipline of fasting, our hearts fill with empathy and concern towards the humankind. All faces wore an aura of spiritual happiness. There was no mad rush or complaint of lack of time. Dishes were simple, home-made but were shared with all. A few relief-committee men would reach out to those who were deprived of any food to break fast.
There was hardly any lack of pious among the fasting people. They gained the height of spirituality without any pomp fast breaking ceremony or Iftar party. They engaged in heavy jobs which require physical toil sans food. The reading of Holy Qur’an and its interpretation marked their labour breaks. Today, there is no poverty and hence less pious. The overuse of meat, sugar and cheese in the food are a cause of concern now.
The cleric’s call not to make the month a festival of food has fallen on deaf ears. The commercialisation wave too added to the trend. I have noticed that the young generation is keen to observe the month of fasting. But they should be taught with the real purpose.
(Mamukoya is popular actor/As told to Amiya Meethal)
