Agra:
Though the city has been on edge ever since reports came out of the
December 8 conversions in which 200 Muslims changed their faith to
Hinduism, the festivities surrounding Christmas are going on in full
swing.
Strains of 'Joy to the world', 'Silent night, holy night', and perhaps the most popular of them all, 'Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer' are being heard from schools and Christian-dominated localities of the town in which people from all age groups and religions can be seen rehearsing.
"Christmas is a festival of love and joy, and therefore it is incomplete without singing carols. It symbolizes the arrival of time of peace, love and brotherhood," said Shikha Loyal, a resident of Kamla Nagar.
She added that preparations were started in her Church from the first week of December and many non-Christian people are also singing and even enthusiastically performing in the band.
Father Amit from a Church near Padritola said there is no definitive history behind Christmas caroling. Where they originated, who wrote them and how they evolved is unclear. Caroling is a tradition, passed down from generation to generation.
"A common legend says that Christmas carols were named after Carol Poles, a little English girl who supposedly went missing in London during the holiday season in the late 19th century. People supposedly searched for her by going door-to-door, singing to declare their good intentions. Although it may be a nice story, it has no factual basis," added father Amit.
People from different parts of India like Bengal, Bihar and south India are also rehearsing carols in their own languages.
'Natal cha san', which translates as 'Christmas Season' , is composed in Marathi while 'Moza Aao Che' is a carol composed in Bengali which will be sung in churches on Christmas day on December 25.
"Carolling gives warmth to the heart. It reflects happiness and joy. Christmas has become a global festival, so everyone can take part in it," said Rishabh Chaudhary, a Bengali from origin who will sing carol in his regional language in a church in Sanjay Place.
"In the recent years, old carols have been given a contemporary touch to break the monotony. For example, we present the rock version of 'Joy to the world' which attracts people," said Sam from Padritols.
Though the trend is picking up, carol singers believe it is the younger generation, which sticks to the old tunes of the carols. "It is especially for them that the carols are being given a modern touch," added Sam.
Strains of 'Joy to the world', 'Silent night, holy night', and perhaps the most popular of them all, 'Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer' are being heard from schools and Christian-dominated localities of the town in which people from all age groups and religions can be seen rehearsing.
"Christmas is a festival of love and joy, and therefore it is incomplete without singing carols. It symbolizes the arrival of time of peace, love and brotherhood," said Shikha Loyal, a resident of Kamla Nagar.
She added that preparations were started in her Church from the first week of December and many non-Christian people are also singing and even enthusiastically performing in the band.
Father Amit from a Church near Padritola said there is no definitive history behind Christmas caroling. Where they originated, who wrote them and how they evolved is unclear. Caroling is a tradition, passed down from generation to generation.
"A common legend says that Christmas carols were named after Carol Poles, a little English girl who supposedly went missing in London during the holiday season in the late 19th century. People supposedly searched for her by going door-to-door, singing to declare their good intentions. Although it may be a nice story, it has no factual basis," added father Amit.
People from different parts of India like Bengal, Bihar and south India are also rehearsing carols in their own languages.
'Natal cha san', which translates as 'Christmas Season' , is composed in Marathi while 'Moza Aao Che' is a carol composed in Bengali which will be sung in churches on Christmas day on December 25.
"Carolling gives warmth to the heart. It reflects happiness and joy. Christmas has become a global festival, so everyone can take part in it," said Rishabh Chaudhary, a Bengali from origin who will sing carol in his regional language in a church in Sanjay Place.
"In the recent years, old carols have been given a contemporary touch to break the monotony. For example, we present the rock version of 'Joy to the world' which attracts people," said Sam from Padritols.
Though the trend is picking up, carol singers believe it is the younger generation, which sticks to the old tunes of the carols. "It is especially for them that the carols are being given a modern touch," added Sam.
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