The spirit of Christmas is in the air. Twirly lights and artificial trees adorn malls and upscale stores in major cities and metropolises. Sale items include glitter, Santa hats, and hairbands with reindeer. Baking counters brim with plum cakes. Everyone from Nat King Cole to Taylor Swift is singing Christmas carols, filling the air. All the typical Christmas decorations, such candy canes, holly, and mistletoe are evident now and put up for show.
All too dissimilar from the true Christmas celebrations of most Indian Christians. Yes, Santa Claus, holly, and all the trappings of modern American Christmases have spread throughout much of urban India (especially in its commercial aspects), but the spirit of Christmas as it is observed in Indian homes is very different. This is due to globalization and the unstoppable influence of the culture of consumerism.
Much more Christmas music is entirely native to the country; the lyrics, melodies, idioms, and references are all native. Dogri tappe and Punjabi boliyaan celebrate it. Christmas lavanis in Maharashtra and a cappella renditions of Hindi melodies like Kya din khushi ka aaya are among the choral concerts and competitions that take place, along with nativity plays. The Christmas story is told in Kerala in a Latin Christian style that dates back to the late 16th century through the unusual religious play form known as chavittunaatakam.
The Western aspects that give Christmas celebrations its typical hue are relatively recent; yet,
many Indian Christians celebrate this season in ways that predate these more contemporary, commercial traditions. Christmas celebrations, in terms of cuisine, music, art, and décor, typically reflect the diversity of the nation's regions rather than closely mimic Western customs.
