Diwali: Illuminating worlds forever

We think about it, we feel it, we know it’s time…

The mild tinge of euphoria in everybody’s heart during Diwali. As we perceive the glorious fireworks, the immaculate tandem in which magnanimous earthen lamps are marvellously juxtaposed outside homes,

the vibrant lights of diverse shades permeating luminance in every direction, the excitement and splendor with which people shop, clean their homes (an otherwise hum-drum affair), decorate their homes with colourful Rangolis in all their embellishing zealot which seem truly inviting, the traditional garb featured in full swag and the ever alluring sweets – that highlights the essence of Diwali!

The festivities commence over a period of five gusto-filled days, embarking with Dhanteras, Choti Diwalia, Lakshmi Puja, Padwa and Govardhan Puja and draw the curtains on Bhai Dooj, with glorious and memorable adieu. The auspicious occasion brings in blithesome aura in everyone’s lives, one that’s only propounded progressively with a sense of happiness and satisfaction which we welcome with open arms into a heartfelt hug. Diwali not only symbolizes the triumph of good over evil but also brings out the true spirit of oneness among people, because this festival --in all its conventional beauty-- has no age, no race and everybody is welcome to bask in its exuberance. Right from the ghettos to the great high rises; from the kids to the seniors, people throughout the globe indulge in the jubilation, expanding its ambit furthermore every consecutive year. It’s a grandiose celebration of life and goodwill, because you only live once, remember? We all take abode in warm little moments of life and the positivity that this festival carries can be surreal at times, forever etching a veritable sense of contentment that is anything but ephemeral.

There were times when bundles of sparklers, bombs, rockets, chakris were lit with a wide smile. Unfortunately, most of those are made up of matter that contribute to an unfavourable alteration of our surroundings. Its Diwali! Thine, mine and ours and the word we ought to embrace is ‘Eco-Friendly’. I hardly doubt if it would reduce one’s joy in any way, the money we’d normally, and rather effortlessly squander on those momentary joy-packets could feed a hungry child somewhere or even be a significant endowment towards the rudimentary establishment of their future – one with a radiant spark that was missing hitherto. The nuances of the festival and its characteristic atmospheres and nitty gritties can be amusingly flummoxing. No matter how many chocolates we consume, everybody has a favourite ‘mithai’ that gets them salivating every time they think about it, and our taste buds are not content until they savour the divine Ladoos, Barfis, Jalebis, Gulab Jamuns, Kaju-Katlis and the other innumerable mithais. The truth is, the latest Chinese lanterns may replace the traditional ones, the electronic stores may offer better discounts this year, the fun-filled Diwali parties may be out of crackers, the bulk messages sent via cell phones may replace the age old get-togethers, but it’s not in our power to pacify change, all you need to remember is that no matter how many cold winters come by, spring’s never too far away. The facets may have changed, but the underlying quintessence remains the same. The veritable conundrum of ambivalence can be solved with the simplistic propagation of either part, to solve the dichotomy.

Have a safe, enigmatic and most importantly, memorable Diwali!

- Anjali Shah

 Anjali Shah is a twelfth grade Arts student. She's an aspiring lawyer and she'll be a regular blog author for us.