Aarti in the Mass: the battle for inculturation

One of the gifts of the Vatican Ii liturgical reforms--affirmed by the Pope and everybody at the recent Eucharistic synod, you'll remember--was a new openness to inculturation, including cultural symbols and practices in the Mass within certain parameters and as bishops (and, as we know the way this often happens, the people) deem it appropriate. A group of Indian priests and bishops recently announced their plan to "Indianize" Catholic traditions there, involving cultural signifiers such as aarti (a ritual of respect for God using lights), dance at Mass, and ascetisim through the ashram tradition. Interestingly, some practitioners of Dalit theology--India's theology of liberation--are deeply suspicious of these changes, which they say will inscribe the patterns and practices of Hindu oppressors of the lower castes.

Anyway, I mention this because I didn't know what aarti was when I read this, and it sounds so beautiful. I hope the reforms go through.