The phrase "Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic" is a Hindi saying that translates to "A little love, a little magic" in English. It encapsulates the idea that love and magic can bring joy, happiness, and transformation to one's life. Love, as a powerful emotion, has the ability to mold and shape relationships, bringing people closer and creating a strong bond between them. It has the potential to heal wounds, mend broken hearts, and fill lives with meaning and purpose. Love can be found in various forms, whether it be between friends, family, partners, or even for oneself. Its presence can bring immense happiness and contentment, making life more beautiful and fulfilling.
The earliest examples of figure magic come from ancient Egypt, where stone or clay figurines or inscribed figures representing enemies of the Egyptian state were subjected to rituals intended to protect the ruler by suppressing rebellion or attack. Images were decapitated, pierced, or drilled with holes, suspended or bound with ropes, placed under door hinge-posts so as to be ground down with each turning of the hinge, and inscribed in the shoe so as to be trodden upon with each step. 2 This pharaonic magic became translated over time into the more familiar interpersonal personal usage against individual enemies, and the practice also made its way into Egyptian magical texts that in turn influenced Greco-Roman magic. There are many fascinating examples of these effigies, and they can reveal a lot about the magical practices used with them, so let's look at a few.
8 Nineteenth century Gaelic folklore collections from Scotland still speak of the corp crèadha , or clay corpse, which would be enchanted and stabbed with pins, pierced with flints or elf-shot. The limbs of the wax figures had been wrapped around each other as if in a passionate embrace, creating a sympathetic enactment of the intended consequence of the spell.
Its presence can bring immense happiness and contentment, making life more beautiful and fulfilling. On the other hand, magic adds a touch of enchantment and wonder to our lives. It represents the extraordinary and inexplicable, going beyond the boundaries of reality.
On Halloween, Insensitivity Goes Beyond Kimonos And Black Face
A New Orleans Saints fan holds a voodoo doll at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans in 2016.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Never mind ghosts and goblins, zombies and vampires. For some people, the scariest part of Halloween is the deluge of offensive costumes, from frat boys in black face to white kids in kimonos to sexy celebrity Pocahontases.
At this point, every masquerader (should) know that race is not a costume. But the racial politics behind certain get-ups aren't quite so obvious.
This week on Ask Code Switch, we got a question from Jennifer, a Pennsylvania woman whose daughter is entranced with the occult. The costume in question? Voodoo doll.
Here's Jennifer:
My 9-year-old daughter (half German-American, half Jewish-American) saw a voodoo doll costume she wants to wear for Halloween. It's styled modestly, is pretty while still being a little "ghoulish," and isn't commercial or political — all of which make it attractive to me. But I don't know enough about Louisiana culture or African religious traditions to know whether this would hurt or offend someone. My daughter says voodoo was in The Princess and the Frog, so it must be OK. But I know Disney has messed up in the past. Can you help?
Halloweeners, read on:
I totally get why your daughter wants to be a voodoo doll. It's spookier than a princess, more creative than a ghost, not as played out as a witch. I understand why it's appealing to you, too. (Although I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not political.)
But your instinct that there might be something off? Dead-on.
To understand why, it helps to have a little background about what exactly "voodoo" is. That is actually much more complicated than you might think.
The term "voodoo" is often used as a catchall for several distinct, but related religions that combine elements of Catholicism and West African Vodun. There are different variations of Voodoo (Vodun, Vodou, Hoodoo, Vaudou) practiced in Louisiana, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. But the most well-known, at least in American popular imagination, is Haitian Vodou.
Vodou is one of Haiti's official religions. It was created by enslaved Africans and their descendants, who came in contact with Roman Catholic missionaries in the 1500s and 1600s.
The religion's "fundamental principle is that everything is spirit. Humans are spirits who inhabit the visible world, and other spirits . populate the unseen world." That's according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, in an entry written by Elizabeth McAlister. She is a professor of religion and the author of a book about Haitian Vodou, called Rara! Vodou, Power, and Performance in Haiti and Its Diaspora.)
But Jennifer, most Americans know nothing about Vodou as an actual religion. What we know about is the pop culture version: what a scholar named Adam McGee refers to as "lower case 'v' voodoo" — that witchy, bloodletting revenge stuff from New Orleans. (Again, that's not to be confused with Louisiana Voodoo, a real religion practiced by many.)
That kind of voodoo, with the dolls and the zombies, is what you see in movies like Indiana Jones or Princess and the Frog. White Zombie, a 1932 horror film, was one of the first movies to establish a set of racial tropes about Haitian Vodou — voodoo dolls among them.
McGee writes that the voodoo we see in the movies was lightly inspired by religion but is primarily the brainchild of Hollywood producers and long ago travel writers. And it has a very specific purpose:
"This imagined religion serves as a venue for the expression of more-or-less undiluted racial anxieties, manifested as lurid fantasies about black peoples. .
"As something that is coded as black, presenting voodoo in scenarios that are belittling, denigrating and, most especially, aimed to evoke terror is a way of directing these sentiments at blacks without openly entering into racist discourse."
So, back to voodoo dolls. As you might imagine, they have no real connection to Haitian Vodou.
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Kyrah Malika Daniels, a professor of of art history, African & African Diaspora Studies, and theology at Boston College, says she sometimes sees the dolls being sold in places like the checkout line at Barnes & Noble. And for her, that serves as "this small reminder that any exposure we have to black religion that is not Christianity is satanic. Is devilish. Is something to be feared."
"This is incredibly damaging to so many devotees of African and African-derived religions who have been able to rely upon these traditions for faith, for community, for healing purposes," Daniels says.
To put all of this in context, Daniels says, think about what it might look like if you subbed out Vodou for Christianity and used it as a Halloween costume:
"If we were to consider how Christians might feel if somebody were to dress up as a gruesome, gory, bloody Jesus, hanging from a cross — what would that look like? Would that not be offensive?"
Daniels adds that what is even more profound about this "is that a gory representation of Jesus, while perhaps quite offensive, would not be inaccurate. It actually is a component of the religion. Whereas the voodoo doll is not."
I think that about says it.
So, what should you tell your daughter? Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo are fascinating religions, and if she seems interested in learning more about them, there are some great resources available.
But when it comes to Halloween, treat Vodou like you would any other faith. That is to say, don't delve into anyone else's religious traditions (real or dreamed up by Hollywood) in search of a costume.
But hey — if you're still in need of something to wear on Halloween, an unofficial poll of everyone I know suggests that regular old dolls are creepy enough as is. Happy haunting!
So readers, what racially sensitive costume will you don this Allhallows Eve? And what are your best alternative costume ideas for Jennifer? Let us know. We're [email protected].
And as always, if you have a racial conundrum of your own, fill out this form and tell us the deets!
"If we were to consider how Christians might feel if somebody were to dress up as a gruesome, gory, bloody Jesus, hanging from a cross — what would that look like? Would that not be offensive?"
Magic can be found in small everyday moments, such as a child's smile or the comforting presence of a loved one. It can also be experienced in extraordinary events or extraordinary people who inspire and ignite our imagination. Magic has the power to spark creativity, expand horizons, and create a sense of awe and fascination. When love and magic come together, they create an extraordinary synergy. Love provides the foundation, while magic adds a sprinkle of uniqueness and excitement to relationships and life. This combination can bring about transformative experiences and enrich our existence. It can make ordinary moments extraordinary and fill our hearts with joy, passion, and a sense of wonder. In conclusion, "Thora Pyar Thoda Magic" signifies the belief that a little love and a little magic can make a world of difference in our lives. By nurturing love and embracing the magical aspects of life, we can create happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of awe that transcends the ordinary. It reminds us to appreciate the beauty of love and the wonder of the world around us, ultimately leading to a more vibrant and meaningful existence..
Reviews for "Finding Strength in Love: Inspirational Moments from 'Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic"
1. John - 2 stars
"Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" was a disappointing film for me. The storyline lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot was predictable, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The attempt at mixing fantasy and family drama fell flat, and the execution was weak. The writing and dialogues felt forced, and the comedy wasn't funny. Overall, I was expecting more from this film, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I can't even begin to describe how much I disliked "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic". The film had an absurd and unrealistic plot that was hard to follow. The acting was over-the-top, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The music was forgettable, and the choreography was uninspired. It seemed like the makers were trying to recreate the magic of other successful Bollywood films but failed miserably. I regret wasting my time and money on this movie.
3. Michael - 2 stars
"Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" was a mediocre film overall. The concept had potential, but the execution was flawed. The pacing was off, and certain scenes dragged on unnecessarily. I also found some of the dialogue to be cliché and forced. The performances were average, and there was a lack of chemistry between the lead actors. While the film had its moments, it ultimately failed to leave a lasting impression. I wouldn't recommend watching it unless you're a die-hard fan of the genre.