Minakshi Dewan stands as a beacon of enlightenment, guiding readers through the intricate tapestry of beliefs and practices surrounding death in India, as illuminated in her seminal work, "The Final Farewell: Understanding the Last Rites and Rituals of India's Major Faiths." With profound compassion and sensitivity, Dewan delves into the depths of cultural and religious traditions, unraveling the myriad ways in which death is perceived, revered, and commemorated across India's diverse landscape.
Central to Dewan's exploration is the revelation of the beliefs associated with death in India, which serve as pillars supporting the elaborate edifice of funeral rites and rituals. These beliefs are as varied as the multitude of faiths that coexist within the country, ranging from the Hindu concepts of reincarnation and liberation to the Islamic notions of accountability and the afterlife. Through meticulous research and personal interviews, Dewan elucidates how these beliefs shape the final journey of the departed, infusing each funeral ceremony with profound significance and symbolism.
Yet, amidst the solemnity of final farewells lies a stark reality of misogyny and caste-based discrimination that continues to plague Indian society. Dewan fearlessly exposes the entrenched biases that manifest in the treatment of the deceased, revealing how gender and caste hierarchies permeate even the rituals of death. From unequal access to cremation grounds to the relegation of certain communities to menial roles in funeral proceedings, Dewan shines a light on the systemic injustices that persist in the country's funerary practices.
Moreover, Dewan delves into the intricate web of individuals involved in managing the deceased and laying them to rest, from the devout family members who perform the last rites to the professional mourners hired to wail loudly for the departed. Each role carries its own significance within the framework of funeral customs, reflecting the complex interplay of tradition, obligation, and spirituality.
In addition to the cultural and social dimensions, Dewan meticulously examines the economic and environmental costs of bidding the final goodbye. From the financial burden of elaborate funeral ceremonies to the ecological impact of cremation and burial practices, Dewan confronts readers with the sobering reality of the toll exacted by traditional funerary customs.
Through her powerful and enlightening narrative, Dewan offers readers a glimpse into a world that is often misunderstood and feared. "The Final Farewell" serves as a poignant reminder to honor those who came before us and to strive towards a more equitable and sustainable future. With her unwavering commitment to empathy and understanding, Minakshi Dewan invites readers to embark on a transformative journey of exploration and introspection, urging us all to confront the complexities of mortality with grace and compassion.
1. What inspired you to delve into the subject of death rites and rituals in India for your book, "The Final Farewell: Understanding the Last Rites and Rituals of India's Major Faiths"?
>I was inspired to write The Final Farewell after I experienced the last rites first-hand as a chief mourner during my papa’s antim sanskaar. Some things intrigued me while performing Papa’s last rites. Like, I remember talking to a funeral pandit who said, “Hum sirf mrityu se jude kaam karte hain. (I only perform rites related to death).” Then, my interactions with the death worker who assisted us were equally intriguing. After a few months, we were confronted by a devastating pandemic. The death toll was very high and the disposal of the dead became a challenge. I felt compelled to document the death work and mechanisms available to deal with grief during the global crisis. The idea of the book was conceived amidst the raging global catastrophe.
2. Can you provide an overview of the beliefs associated with death in India as portrayed in your book?
>I cover 5 major faiths in India: The Sikh, Zoroastrian, Islamic, Hindu and Christian last rites. The idea was to not just describe practices of the last rites and traditions among Hindus, Parsis, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs in the Indian subcontinent but delve deeper into the meanings and interpretations behind end-of-life rituals with the information I gathered by speaking to ritual specialists, filmmakers, researchers, and death workers. Sikhs and Hindus cremate the dead, Muslims and Christians bury and Zoroastrians expose their dead on the Towers of Silence. I describe the preparatory and post-cremation/burial rituals for the five faiths in the book. It is interesting how the last rites and rituals across faiths are diverse and yet similar.
3. You mentioned in the book that final rites and rituals reveal misogyny and caste-based discrimination in India. Could you elaborate on how these aspects manifest in the context of death ceremonies?
>Gender is an overarching theme I address throughout the book. I analyse the role of men and women in different rituals. Like, I discovered how mourning is one ritual mostly confined to women, whereas most of the other rituals are male-dominated. Similarly, caste is another theme I present in the book. While researching, I discovered how death-related work is caste specific. It is largely confined to the members of the Dalit community in India. I am glad I could chronicle the lives and struggles of the workers in the book. Their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic was inspiring. Death work is such an important public health work and yet a neglected area. The life of cremation/burial workers is challenging and stigmatized. Besides, the work is underpaid and hazardous.
4. Who are the key figures involved in managing the deceased and conducting the final rites across different faiths in India, as discussed in your research?
>There are designated specialists/experts/priests who assist the bereaved during the last rites. In the book, I describe the role of these specialists during the last rites. For instance, among Hindus, the funerary work is confined to specific pandits.
5. Your book explores the economic and environmental costs associated with saying the final goodbye. Could you shed some light on these aspects and how they impact Indian society?
>Last rites and rituals also have an environmental impact. For instance, wood used in the open pyre cremations leads to cutting the trees and contributes to air pollution. Similarly, burying leads to underground pollution. Burial spaces are also shrinking with the growing population. These aspects will impact the society at large. The traditional last rites and rituals, like sky burials among the Parsi community, came under threat because of the extinction of the vulture population due to the consumption of the drug diclofenac.
6. In your research and personal interviews, did you come across any surprising or particularly poignant anecdotes related to death rituals in India that you could share with us?
>The research for the book was both difficult and rewarding. I delved into books, research articles, newspaper clips, and films to gain a deeper understanding of different aspects. Besides that, I conducted interviews with various professionals such as cremation/burial workers, pandits, priests, journalists, activists, funeral directors, academicians, and filmmakers. I visited the shamshans in Delhi and Varanasi. My interviews with the women priest, the Parsi priest and the Tirath Purohit, were fascinating.
The accounts of discrimination during the final rituals were distressing. For instance, I remember a person telling me how his community members had to bury their loved ones close to their living quarters.
7. How do different faiths in India handle the concept of death and the afterlife, and how do their respective rituals reflect these beliefs?
>Yes, it is fascinating how the last rites and related rituals stem from the conceptions around death and the afterlife. I have discussed these aspects in the book.
8. Your book mentions various practices such as the worship of bodies at the pyre and the hiring of professional mourners. Could you discuss the significance of these practices and their evolution over time?
>Not just India, other cultures around the world also record lamenting traditions. There is the Rudaali tradition in Rajasthan, Mirasans in Punjab and Oppari in Tamil Nādu. I document and analyze these traditions in their current avatar in the book.
9. What do you hope readers will take away from "The Final Farewell," and how do you envision your book contributing to a better understanding of death rites and rituals in India?
>The Final Farewell unravels the mechanics around the last rites and rituals and the actors involved in this journey. It not just chronicles but analyses these aspects for the readers. The book explores many other fascinating themes. For instance, there is a chapter on the world of ‘death tourism’ in Varanasi. I also look at the death industry in India. I also have a chapter on how the last rites were performed differently during the Covid-19, pandemic.
It is a book for everyone because we are mortal beings, after all. I am glad that the book is resonating with the readers. The other day, someone messaged me sharing how she picked up a copy from the airport on her return journey after cremating her Grandmother. I hope The Final Farewell becomes an anchor for others striving to find answers. It has started a much-needed discourse around last rites. But there is still so much more to learn and discover about this crucial event.
10. Lastly, based on your extensive research and observations, what changes or reforms do you believe are necessary to address the issues of misogyny, caste-based discrimination, and environmental impact associated with death rituals in India?
>That’s a tough question to answer. These aspects are deeply engrained in our society, and last rites and rituals are no exception. I think there are no simple solutions.
Yes, environmental crusaders are looking for more environment-friendly solutions. But we need to create awareness and receptivity towards these methods.
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