THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Do calendars spread superstitions? Yes, says the Kerala Yukthivadi Sanghom that has brought out a secular calendar for 2017.
In this, January 14 is not about the famed Makaravilakku but the death anniversary of Edmond Halley who computed the orbit of Halley’s Comet. Other numerous religious festivals like Malayattoor Perunnal or Thrissur Pooram too do not figure in it.
“Not just religious events, we’ve excluded several other features of a normal Malayalam calendar like ‘Rahukalam’ (inauspicious timings) or other astrological days and timings for good and bad ventures,” says Sanghom’s general secretary Iringal Krishnan. Government holidays for religious festivals are marked in red but the reason is given in the bottom of the page with less prominence. The calendar is prepared by the editorial team of Sanghom’s magazine ‘Yukthirekha.’
“The venture is part of our campaign to promote secularist ethos and scientific temper in society. Also, it is a chronicle of sorts of events and persons, scientists and innovations, that helped in the progress of mankind,” says Rajagopal Vakathanam, who headed the calendar team.
The Sanghom has been publishing the calendar for the past several years, but this time a large-scale campaign is being done considering the “alarming” rise in popularity for religious customs and superstitions, he said. The side panels of the calendar show birth and death anniversary of prominent persons like scientists, social reformers and statesmen. Important events and scientific innovations are also marked.
Another feature is the chronicling of Kerala’s renaissance history like Channar Lahala, Mishrabhojanam, birth and death anniversaries of social reformers. Each page has secular and inspiring quotations by persons of the like of Sahodaran Ayyappan and V T Bhattathirippad.The calendar, priced Rs 20, is available at Sanghom’s district offices. It will soon be available for free download on its website.