Songsoptok
Interview
Valentine’s Day – myth or reality?
SONGSOPTOK: Valentine’s Day has become one of the major festivals
these days, comparable to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Diwali, Id, Rosh Hashanah or
Chanukah and observed by men and women irrespective of religion. Do you agree?
How important is it in the country you live in??
SUMANA: Yes I totally agreed with the fact that
Valentine's Day become a festival of common people and celebrated widely
irrespective of religion.
In my country India indeed it's celebrated but
if we compare with other countries specially with the European Countries no
doubt it's never celebrated here so grandly. Rather it ends up only by sharing
gifts messages and flowers. Although the elite class people sometime celebrate it in
a grand way but still they are exception. Ten never be counted amidst thousand.
But I believe the popularity we increase day
by day as we are following a global culture now , we are no more restricted to
any particular habits and rituals.
SONGSOPTOK: There are several different views about the history and origin of
Valentine’s Day. Which is the version you know about?
SUMANA: As far as I know St.
Valentine was a Catholic priest of 3rd century.
That time many people was converted to Christianity. But emperor Claudius II imposed some strict
laws on what Christian was allowed to
do. He believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to their
country , so they should not marry. But Saint Valentine started to give in
marriage this soldiers with some secret Christian ceremonies. Thus
was the beginning of his reputation as a messenger of love. Indeed it was the
cause of his imprisonment and he was sentenced to death but yet Saint Valentine
still remembered as an angel of love.
Although there is no such evidence that link
between St. Valentine Day and the rites of Roman festival. The poet Chaucer in
the middle age was the first who link the Valentine with romantic love.
SONGSOPTOK: Why do you think Valentine’s Day has become so important all over the world
irrespective of the political, social and religious dimensions? Do you think
that the anxiety and stress related to modern day relationships have
contributed to its growing popularity all over the world?
SUMANA: If we think somehow it's a reason
actually. In modern generation people
are living a fast life. They get little time to think about their feelings and spent with their dear ones. Even the
woman are no more captivated in household life. They are also busy with their
job or careers. So if we take Valentine
day as a festival of romantic love it's not a bad idea. At least lovers as well
as couples can spend some quality time together.In our hectic life if it adds
an extra charm , then it's okay actually.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? In what way? If you don’t, will you
please explain why not?
SUMANA: Yes I celebrate it if time permits. Honestly speaking I love to celebrate the
festive mood. But I believe there must be some difference between a married
couple and two tender lovers. Cause whenever we marry we occupied by some more
responsibilities of family and childrens.
But yet if our heart is
tender we can celebrat the day in our
own way. As a poet am always tender by heart and yes!I love to spend the day with my partner by a
candle light dinner and sharing our thoughts with each other. I love to spend
some quiet moments when we can recall our forlorn memories that bind every
relation. Obviously if I get any gift as surprise it add a extra spice on that
day.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you feel obliged to do something special for your spouse/partner on
Valentine’s Day or it is similar to and as natural as celebrating birthdays and
anniversaries? In other words, is there any peer pressure to conform to the
traditions associated with the modern version of Valentine’s Day?
SUMANA: Actually
I celebrate it as a festival of love. No doubt it's special but every time
doing something special I feel like pressure. Rather I like to spend the day as
a day of relax and amusement. Always it's not like that I celebrate it in a
special way but the feelings is always special for me and it will remain same
no matter hair turn as grey or not.
SONGSOPTOK: According to you what, if anything, is
special about Valentine’s Day? Does it play an important role in romantic
relationships? Why? Is it important for you to surprise your partner on Valentine’s
Day? What would be your preferred way?
SUMANA: If we talk about speciality no doubt it's a special day cause
it's the only day which is celebrated for romantic couples or for romantic love.
Yes! It plays an
important role cause this day makes lovers think about their relation and their
feelings. I would like to surprise my partner indeed in my way like I would like to give him the gift
that he longs for but never said and I
would like to make him feel relax at least for the day and same applicable for
mine too.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you buy gifts on Valentine’s Day? What type of gifts do you normally
buy? Do you think it is important to follow the norm and go for the traditional
gifts like flowers, chocolates, cards, perfumes etc.? Please share your
motivations or lack of them with us?
SUMANA: I love
to buy cards and love to write some words of my own on it. I don't think it's
important to follow the ancient norms but yes I personally love the traditional
gifts like flowers ,chocolates , cards show pieces etc cause I think these
gifts have an another appeal of their own. Something romantic and special.
Obviously lack of
speciality will hurt me a little cause we every human wants to be special in
someone's eye not only in first blush but also wants to remain same forever.
SONGSOPTOK: Marketing Gurus often dub Hallmark as the official sponsor of Valentine’s
Day in the USA. Do you have any equivalent in your own country? Do big consumer
good companies carry out an aggressive promotion campaign for Valentine’s Day?
What are their preferred channels? Do social media play an important role in
this respect in your country of residence?
SUMANA: No I don't think there is
any such sponsor who can be compared with USA
or Hallmark but Yes , some companies carry out some promotional
campaign but they should 't be called
aggressive.
Yes to some extent the
social media like television , newspaper ,FM channels play the role and make it
attractive. Archies Gallery arrange some special cards and gifts for the day
and I love them.
SONGSOPTOK: What are the popular customs related to Valentine’s Day in the country you
live in? What do you think about them? Do you think that men and women actually
enjoy and look forward to 14th February or is it just a matter of keeping up
with the Jones’??
SUMANA: I don't feel there is any such particular
customs maintained in my country India. We do what we love to do for our dear
ones actually. But exchanging gifts like flowers, chocolates, cards ,perfumes
obviously a part of it.
Yes I think we should
enjoy the day. If we give importance Father's Day,Mother's Day, Children's Day,
Independence Day ,then why not a day for lovers? For every celebration I think
we need a particular day. Every day can't be a feast day. Love is love but yet
a special moment or day we need to recall our feelings. Way may be different
indeed !
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that there is actually a social stigma for single, unattached
people who do not celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you think that the Valentine
Day extravaganza may have a negative impact on their psyche, moral and
ultimately their well-beings? What is your own experiences? Would you please
share it with us?
SUMANA: Actually I don't think so.To celebrate the day is
always your choice. U may be single but yet you can take essence of the day and
celebrate the feelings of love on your way , I don't have any partner so I hate
the day it shouldn't be the phychology.
Moreover if we think
about the extravaganzas I don't agree cause often we spend so much money which
never can be called our necessity then why it's a luxury if we spend little bit
money for them whom we love ? The amount is always upto you but it never has
any negative impact if you spare some money for him/her if you love
unconditionally. It really matters a little.
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SUMANA BHATTACHARJEE is an English
Poetry and short story writer from India.
She was born and brought up in city Kolkata. She graduated under
Calcutta University with honours in literature and completed some technical
training under George Telegraph Training Institute. She worked as an office
assistant in a Private Limited Company for few years. Her parents were teachers.and her father was
a poetry writer from Bengal. From her very childhood she had a keen interest in poetry drama and
music. She loves to write on different themes and on different aspects.
She is working as an administrator of three online poetry
groups and she has a poetry and prose group of her own. She is representing
India as a Regional Director on behalf of Soflay Literary Foundation and
working as an Editor.
Her poems has been published in several anthologies and
blogs. Poetry and music are her passion and she would love to continue it till
her last breathe.
We sincerely thank you for your time and hope to have your
continued support.
Aparajita Sen
(EDITOR)
Songsoptok
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