Mumbai boasts of a prominent South Indian community, and among them, the Tamil community tells mid-day all about their Christmas traditions that celebrate culture through food and worship
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Mumbai is glowing with Christmas lights as can be seen in the many by-lanes of Khotachiwadi, Bandra, Borivali, and even as far as Vasai.
The brightly lit up stars and Christmas trees adorn houses big and small.
While these neighbourhoods boast a strong presence of East Indian, Goan, Mangalorean and even Anglo-Indian communities, other localities in the city see people from parts of India who celebrate the festival in the city.
Among the widely known celebrations of these communities, there lies the simmering faith of South India’s Christians -- these not only include those Kerala but also Tamil Nadu, apart from other states.
It has been many years now that the former gets its due share of recognition, usually attributed to giving India a version of the mouthwatering plum cake, and specially curated menus by the likes of Kari Apla, Aiyo Patrao, NairOnFire, and even Just Kerala, among others, who shine the light on these culinary and cultural traditions. However, it may not be the same for the Tamil Christians, one of the state’s other neighbouring southern cousins, who also have their own way of celebrating; there are visibly only a handful, l including Tanjore Tiffin Room, who pay tribute to Tamil Christmas traditions.
The limited options may sound like their celebrations are subdued, but within pockets like Powai, Vikhroli, Sion and even Mira Road, if not more, mid-day has found that they shine bright like the north star on Christmas Day.
Fondest and favourite memories of Christmas
It's visible in the preparations leading up to the festival that may not boast of month-long food preparations but tight-knit groups bringing people together through praise, worship, and song.
It's these very religious and choral traditions that ring through the streets in more than one language, especially for Joy Manikumar, who shares, “My fondest memories of Christmas are going Carolling (Christmas Carol singing) to every church member's house and singing Tamil and English Christmas songs, it's always fun to be with friends till late at night.”
It's a ritual the 22-year-old continues even today, amidst her busy academic schedule.
It's no different for John Wesli Chelladurai, who adds that apart from the carol rounds, the traditions also include singing that proclaims the start of the Advent season, and the joy of visiting families and friends here and around native that make it even more special.
“Being part of an elaborate Christmas nativity skit during my youth days in church, late-night carol singing to every member of the congregation without getting tired or sleepy and then a few sessions of prayer and thanksgiving in honour of this wonderful occasion are also among my fondest memories,” reminisces the Mira Road resident.
Just like every other celebration, Sion-based Jenifer Madhi say the good times have also been in the Christmas Eve ritual. “I have fond memories of the midnight mass, something about getting ready, the fuss and the chaos, pretty much the textbook idea of celebration -- wearing new clothes, sharing food and plum cakes, makes it special.”
Even as she loves the ritual, it will be a little less celebratory this year, due to a death in the family, because of which they haven’t gone big with the celebrations, as they are in mourning.
Elsewhere in the city, Jerimson Edwin adds, “When I was younger, we would go out with parents. We were all so small, so going out was a big thing. Mummy making different sweets and then sharing it with our neighbours as well.”
While his favourite part is telling people about Jesus Christ and Christmas, he says, it extends to a larger community. “We have a small get-together with family and friends, playing games together and sipping on Pepsi and eating cake from Iyengar Bakery too. These are all also my family rituals,” adds the 26-year-old from Powai.
Christmas food traditions among Mumbai’s Tamils
While these can only be considered as a glimpse of the celebrations, Jerimson says there is more. “The Christmas feast usually includes grilled chicken, tandoori, Mughlai food, and even different types of Handis.
There is also mutton, especially the Nalli part, along with some paya soup. Parotta with some salna (a popular South Indian street-style curry eaten in Tamil Nadu) and fried chicken. Biryani is a must.
Drinks would be the regular soft drinks,” the Mumbaikar lists out the menu showcasing the love for traditional delicacies in a feast, influenced by the melting pot of cultures that we call Mumbai.
On the other hand, Joy says many different lesser-known food items form a part of the Christmas delicacies at her home. “We usually give Christmas snacks and sweets like achu murukku (commonly called achappam in Kerala, and rose cookies elsewhere in India), adirasam and plum cakes to our neighbours, and have biryani for lunch and dinner at home.
However, it's Christmas breakfast, which is personally her favourite. “South Indian breakfast it is! We usually have breakfast together in church, so it must be mutton/chicken curry, which are symbolic meats for the celebration, paired with either idlis, dosas or appams.”
Among the many highlights for Janifer is one treat. “Our family ritual was relishing plum cakes by sharing them since the beginning of Advent with everyone. Eating way too much ourselves. We never had them any other time of the year,” shares the 24-year-old professor, gleefully.
But if you ask her beyond that, the Sion resident adds, “We also enjoy biryani and traditional South Indian breakfast the next day. As a hardcore Tamil breakfast fan, I enjoyed Idiyapam, puttu, Idli and chicken.”
Changing times, changing celebrations
Even as the trio highlight the food they love, Christmas is more for John because he says the feast usually includes chicken or mutton as per the traditional practice in their home but believes there is more to the celebration than food.
“I've noticed that earlier, Christmas was celebrated more in spirit and reverence, with the focus on the message of Christ's birth and sharing this good news with others. However, over the years, it has transformed from a soulful celebration to a theme party with materialistic factors involving Santa, Christmas trees, red and green extravaganzas, which kind of misses the entire point of Christmas.”
While food is important, he intends to continue staying true to his family’s tradition, as praise and worship form the centre of his celebrations this year.
Jerimson notices a different kind of change.
He explains, “Relatives used to come home, have good fellowship, Mom's sisters talking about their native place, Dad's talking about politics, and cousins talking about the latest trends. I used to get very happy during December because of the decorations and festive vibe. However, now we are all grown up, busy with office work, and parents are getting old.”
Even Madhi feels the same. She shares, “It's become an annual celebration of social media wishes and stories. My memories have been shared with my cousins, but they are not around because they are all married and must cater to two families now. So now it's only a few people, who are mostly guests.”
Even in such times, Joy finds hope. “We don't decorate our house anymore, but the Christmas spirit still feels very present,” she concludes.
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