What is meant by living and what is meant by dead. There are many who are living but whose life is so meaningless, so purposeless and self-centred that they are as good as dead except for their little circle of family and friends. There are others, few and rare, whose life is an example and continues to impact the world even after they have departed. They continue to live in the thoughts and the heart and memory of people.
But whether to celebrate their birthday or not is a question of personal sentiment. If someone feels grateful, continues to draw inspiration and strength from the so-called departed, then a birthday remembrance can be a way to express their feelings but also to draw their influence closer, if they continue to live after departing from the earthly plane.
These are personal things and there is no need to enforce it on anyone whether for the living or the departed. In the Ashram it is only the birthday of the ever living Sri Aurobindo and the Mother is observed. But nothing is enforced and each one is left free to celebrate the birthday of someone who has departed or not. It is a personal choice.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
