TIMELESS TALES OF LOVE

Come February and people say, ‘Love is in the air!’; While the experience of love is universal, it’s fascinating to see the diverse ways in which it is expressed in different cultures and places.

- Deepa vaitheeswaran

Love Defeats Death

One of the most popular stories is that of the legendary couple Satyavan Savitri. The story mentioned thousands of years ago in the Indian epic Mahabharata, speaks of the power of unconditional love. Savitri, through her purity, chastity and devout love, was able to please Lord Yama, the God of Death and brought her dead husband back to life. The South Indian Tradition keeps the story alive with the ‘Karadayan Nonbu, a festival where married women fast and pray to the Divine Mother for the longevity and well-being of their respective husbands. It is believed that Savitri’s devotion towards the goddess Gowri gave her the strength and wisdom to win back her husband’s life from the jaws of death. The Mother Goddess is propitiated with offerings of the sweet and salty ‘Karadai’ - ‘Karamani’ (black eyed beans) and ‘adai’ (steamed rice dumplings). These are served with fresh butter.

This tradition is similar to the ‘Karva Chauth’ celebrated in North India.