The “Kama Utsavas” or Love Festivals of Ancient India were not just social gatherings; they were ecological wonders designed to bring communities together to rejuvenate nature's pleasure. These festivals were based on the belief that the whole of creation thrives when nature is filled with joy.
While other ancient cultures viewed natural disasters as punishments from the gods, Ancient India saw them as a consequence of Mother Earth losing her own joy.
As Dean Ornish aptly puts it, “Punishment is not a sustainable motivator - pleasure is!” Our romantic and interpersonal relationships are deeply intertwined with, and reliant upon, the natural world and the balance of the universe.
These festivals served as a reminder of the importance of happiness in both nature and our personal well-being.
They featured unique practices like 'Nameru dohad' (singing to trees) and 'Ashoka dohad' (touching trees with a red-painted foot), emphasizing the profound connection between human joy and the health of nature. Seema Anand (FRSA) is a London based mythologist, award winning author and corporate soft power guru specializing in women's narratives with a focus on the erotic literatures of Ancient India. Seema’s research on ancient Indian folklore is affiliated to the UNESCO initiative for preserving endangered oral traditions. She is currently heading a project for the revival of the Kaavad storytelling traditions of Rajasthan in partnership with the Essex Cultural Diversity Project. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx