When I was young, we didn't celebrate February 14. For us
When I was young, we didn't celebrate February 14. For us, Valentine's Day meant Saraswati Puja. And just a single day in a year can't be Valentine's Day.
Hear the thoughtful words of Prosenjit Chatterjee, who said: “When I was young, we didn't celebrate February 14. For us, Valentine's Day meant Saraswati Puja. And just a single day in a year can't be Valentine's Day.” In these words lies not only memory, but wisdom—a reminder that love cannot be bound to one date, nor can devotion be confined to a single ritual. He recalls a time when the fourteenth day of February was not yet claimed by commerce and roses, but was instead sacred to the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati, whose festival filled homes and hearts with reverence. His voice becomes a bridge between past and present, between sacred devotion and worldly love, urging us to see that the spirit of affection must be lived beyond a single day.
The origin of this insight lies in the cultural rhythms of Bengal and much of India, where Saraswati Puja is celebrated in late January or February. On this day, young students, artists, and seekers of knowledge offer prayers to the goddess of wisdom, music, and learning. In Prosenjit’s youth, this day was not about red roses and candlelit dinners, but about yellow garments, offerings of books and instruments, and the celebration of learning and light. For him, February 14 was not a marketplace of romance, but a festival of divine love and reverence for wisdom itself.
Yet in his words lies a second truth: that love cannot be confined to a single day. Whether one speaks of romantic love, familial affection, or devotion to the divine, it cannot be honored only once each year. Just as Saraswati Puja is one expression of a devotion that must live in daily practice, so too Valentine’s Day cannot contain the vastness of human love in twenty-four hours. Chatterjee’s memory reminds us that the heart’s greatest offerings must be continual, not occasional.
History too bears witness. Consider the ancient Greeks, who honored Eros, god of desire, and Philia, the love of friendship, not on one day, but in festivals woven throughout the year. Or think of the poets of medieval India, who sang of Radha and Krishna’s eternal love as a daily meditation, not confined to one celebration. In every tradition, we see the same lesson: love, whether divine or human, is too vast to be imprisoned by the calendar. A day may remind us—but it cannot contain us.
And let us not forget the paradox of Valentine’s Day in its modern form: while it seeks to exalt love, it often narrows it into expectation, performance, and commerce. Couples feel the burden to prove devotion; those without partners feel excluded. Yet Chatterjee’s remembrance of Saraswati Puja shows another path: that festivals of love can unite communities, enrich the spirit, and remind us of values greater than ourselves. To him, the true Valentine’s Day was not a narrow ritual of lovers, but a celebration of wisdom, beauty, and devotion that touched all.
What lesson, then, shall we take from his words? That love, like knowledge, must be practiced daily. To confine it to one day is to risk making it shallow, a performance rather than a practice. Far better is the steady devotion that, like Saraswati herself, guides every act of life—gentle, enduring, radiant. Love must not be the guest of one day, but the host of all days.
Practical action follows naturally. Do not wait for Valentine’s Day to express love—show it in small, daily gestures: in kindness to family, loyalty to friends, patience with partners, and respect for wisdom. Honor love not only in romance, but in devotion to learning, art, and truth, as Saraswati Puja teaches. If you celebrate the holiday, let it be not a burden of expectation, but a reminder to deepen the love you live every day.
So let the words of Prosenjit Chatterjee echo across generations: “Just a single day in a year can’t be Valentine’s Day.” Carry this wisdom within you, that love, like the light of knowledge, is not a fleeting flame but an eternal lamp. If you live in this way, then every day will become a festival, every act an offering, and your life itself will be a hymn of love unending.
CCCam Chi
Chatterjee’s take on Valentine’s Day is so refreshing. It highlights the idea that love and celebration don’t have to conform to global norms. Why should we let a single day dictate how we show affection? Can we reclaim Valentine’s Day or any other holiday to align with cultural or spiritual practices that truly matter to us? I think this could lead to more authentic, fulfilling celebrations of love.
VKVy Vu Khanh
Prosenjit Chatterjee’s quote reminds us that there are countless ways to celebrate love and devotion, and Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be the focal point. His focus on Saraswati Puja instead of the commercialized Valentine's Day makes me reflect on how holidays should reflect personal meaning. Could we use this shift in perspective to celebrate love in a more holistic way, incorporating traditions that resonate with our own values?
XAThich Xem anime
I really connect with Chatterjee’s perspective on not letting Valentine’s Day overshadow other important celebrations, like Saraswati Puja. It’s a reminder that there are many ways to celebrate love and devotion that go beyond commercialized holidays. How often do we let the world dictate how we celebrate, rather than following what feels authentic to our culture or values? Could we redefine Valentine’s Day to reflect our own traditions and practices?
NHNgan Hoang
Chatterjee’s take on Valentine’s Day shows how different cultures prioritize different things. Growing up, Saraswati Puja was the focus, and that’s such a meaningful tradition. It makes me question: why do we sometimes feel pressured to conform to global holidays when they don’t align with our cultural or personal values? Shouldn't we focus more on what resonates with us personally, rather than what’s popular?
THnguyen thi huong
I love how Chatterjee brings a unique perspective to Valentine’s Day, emphasizing the cultural importance of Saraswati Puja instead. His point about Valentine’s Day being just one day in a year resonates deeply. How often do we get caught up in celebrating holidays that are commercialized, forgetting the deeper cultural or spiritual meanings that might matter more to us? Could we benefit from focusing on more personal or meaningful traditions instead?