大象传媒

In two days, one of the most popular Hindu festivals of the year begins, called Navaratri. It means, 鈥榥ine nights鈥� 鈥� well named, because it is indeed celebrated over that many consecutive nights, with lots of singing, dancing, prayer and feasting. Although Hindus from different regions and traditions relate to it in different ways, most commonly it鈥檚 a celebration of the divine feminine in her many different aspects.听

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The ninth and final night is commonly dedicated to Saraswati Devi, the Goddess of wisdom, art and music. I remember how at my Saturday morning dance and music school in the local arts centre, we would dress neatly and bring offerings of fruit and flowers to class. Our teachers stood in a row next to a beautiful altar. Along with offering our bouquets and bags of apples and oranges to the Goddess, we would present our dancing bells 鈥� thick rows of brass jingling bells which were always tied around each ankle when performing on stage. Coming before our teachers we would offer our respect with a deep bow and receive their blessing for another year of learning.听听Lastly the whole school would offer our respects to the Goddess of the earth, and then dance and sing something simple in unison, offering the movements of our bodies, and our life breath in the form of song.

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I remember I used to get goosebumps and feel an inspiration stir inside. Our sometimes sluggish Saturday morning class felt transformed into a temple with this simple ritual. I don鈥檛 study dance formally anymore, but every year I remember this ceremony. It鈥檚 a day to honour all teachers, who bring wisdom, and insight into my life, often at a considerable personal sacrifice 鈥� like my mum, a headteacher for the last 27 years. And it鈥檚 a day to honour the tools and instruments I use to perform my work, and acknowledge that to have them, is a divine blessing. Most of all it鈥檚 a day to remember that even without all the light, colour, beauty and sacred ritual, the most ordinary day can transform into something profound when I try to see everything I have as a blessing, and perform every action, no matter how small, as an offering.听