For years, we have seen our mothers, sisters, and aunts take barta and dance their hearts out during Teej. While in our childhood, we enjoyed seeing and being part of the festival, but the more we learn about the festival, the more it makes us question in its nature and existence since some practices during Teej underlies the notions of patriarchy as well.   

Haritalika Teej known as Teej in abbreviated form is the festival that celebrates women altogether.   

In a society deeply rooted under patriarchal norms and values, Teej is considered by some as a day, where women can express themselves freely. Such expression may be in words, actions, food, and much more.   Teej is synonymous with women for eating good food, going to parent's house, sharing their sorrows, dreams, dissent through singing and dancing, fasting the whole day for husband’s long life, and getting together with siblings and childhood friends.  

 But there are people, who consider the festival regressive since even being a festival dedicated to women, it celebrates men. Women take or are forced to rigorous fast the whole day, either for their husband's life or to get 'good' husband like Shiva promoting the regressive belief that women are incomplete without a man.  

However with years the essence of Teej has changed and it is not limited to a day in terms of songs and music and such songs are more of jolliness and demand of equality, on the other hand, materialism has been another aspect of the present Teej celebrations. But we need to understand why Teej is celebrated since time immemorial. Do we keep on celebrating Teej based on the religious story of its origin or more as a day for women to be vocal about breaking the patriarchal rule?   

In this episode, we also share the diverse memories of Teej in our family and how the present-day women understand and practice Teej. We try our best to analyze the songs and dances prepared especially for Teej and how did it begin in the first place. How can we miss the darr parties and all the possible jewelry and clothes presented individually are they actually good things or signs of the market taking advantage? And about how men can play a part in pre, during and post Teej.   

We attempt our best to talk and dissect them all. The episode is prepared to share stories, experiences and then dissect the intricate details of Teej in a manner which will benefit both the festival and the new generation women and also men to modify themselves gradually so that Teej becomes the platform for the society to celebrate women 365 days of the year and be the catalyst for shattering the patriarchy.   

We would like to express our utmost gratitude to Rabina Luitel, Shikha Neupane, and Menuka Khanal for being part of our podcast by taking the time of their busy schedule especially at this time of the year.

  Intro Music credit: Komal Oli

 Photo credit: Google  

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