Traditional Hindu Death Ceremonies in Flux
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Records_replace_mourners_in_city/articleshow/3017139.cms
CHENNAI, INDIA, May 10, 2008: They’re known for their ability to evoke sorrow, to mourn the passing of relatives in a family, singing of the deceased’s life and achievements. The wailing women squat around a dead body singing oppari (dirge) songs choked throats. But these days, as there is nobody to sing these songs, the house-in-mourning plays songs of filmy melancholy on loudspeakers. During a visit to Madurai, this correspondent witnessed relatives weeping, while En piranthay makane en piranthay (why were you born son, why were you born?), a hit number rendered by veteran T. M. Soundar Rajan, played on a loudspeaker. The dolorous song that blared out of the loudspeaker had the desired effect on the women who wept and wailed. When asked about the appropriateness of the film song, the reply was this. “These days not many women know oppari songs. So we replaced it with a film song. In fact, this is what most people do these days.”
Death-related customs among Brahmins are also changing fast. Subramania Sasthrigal says, “Similar to oppari, Brahmins have the plakkanam. There is also a custom of beating the chest thrice a day for 11 days. Among the present generation, only a few women know how to sing plakkanam.” Thaliyarukkal, when the widow’s mangalsutra is pulled off and her bangles broken is another ritual that is being phased out. The 10-day ostracizing ritual called pelai is also not observed. During this temporary period of untouchability, the closest relatives of the deceased are barred from entering temples and drawing water from public wells. Neelakanda Sharma says, “In this busy world, how can anyone keep himself isolated for 10 days? Not many observe pelai, not at least in the cities.”
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