Eid cards quietly fade into memory

Demise of once cherished tradition is attributed to the rise of social media

RAWALPINDI:

The cherished tradition of exchanging Eid cards has disappeared quietly, thanks to the digital age's swift ascent.

Once a vibrant symbol of festive greetings and familial bonds, Eid cards now exist primarily in nostalgic recollections.

Rewind to the not-so-distant past, and the streets of Rawalpindi would come alive with the onset of Ramazan. Every nook and corner adorned with stalls teeming with colourful Eid cards, each one a miniature canvas of artistic expression. From humorous quips to heartfelt verses, these cards catered to every taste and sentiment.

Families, young and old, would flock to these bustling markets, eagerly selecting cards that spoke volumes in their silence. The tradition transcended borders, with cards traversing oceans to reach loved ones abroad, reciprocated by heartfelt messages from distant lands.

The golden era of Eid cards thrived until the mid-2000s, when the digital revolution began to cast its shadow. Platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and TikTok emerged as new conduits of connectivity, gradually eclipsing the tangible charm of paper greetings.

Gone are the days when postmen would play the role of messengers of joy, clutching bundles of Eid cards destined for eager recipients. The thrill of anticipation, the joy of discovering a handwritten note tucked within a card, these are now relics of a bygone era.

Mukhtar Hussain, a veteran school teacher, fondly recalls the bygone rituals of selecting and sending Eid cards. "The arrival of Eid cards used to be awaited till the day of Eid," he reminisces, a hint of wistfulness coloring his words. "Now, artificial growth has made everything beautiful, but at the cost of tradition."

The demise of Eid cards is not merely a shift in communication methods but a reflection of broader societal changes. The allure of instant messaging and virtual exchanges has undeniably altered how we express our sentiments, trading tangible artifacts for fleeting digital interactions.

While the convenience of social media is undeniable, there's a poignant loss in the absence of tangible gestures like Eid cards. The act of choosing, writing, and sending a physical card carried a depth of meaning that transcended pixels and screens.

As we navigate this digital landscape, perhaps there's room to pause and reflect on the beauty of traditions past. The Eid card, once a symbol of enduring connection, now finds itself a cherished artifact, a testament to a simpler time when expressions of love were crafted on paper and delivered with a personal touch.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2024.