Essence of Deepawali: A Tapestry of glittering memories, connections and celebrations

As the last of Deepawali lamps and decorations are packed away, a certain quietness descends on the house. Remembering the charged atmosphere from a couple of weeks back when the preparations started, I can’t help but drawn to the 1980s celebrations, wherein the simple joys and vibrant traditions left an indelible mark on my childhood.

Wool pompoms garland we have been making every year

As the calendar (Kalnirnay as we all know it) flipped to October, the anticipation of Deepawali would set in. As the mid-term exams finished, signalling the onset of holidays, the atmosphere at the house would be charged as we embarked on the ritual of cleaning and decorating the house. Baba will make a visit to the market to buy marigold flowers, firecrackers and other essentials. The streets were adorned with makeshift stalls selling an array of divas (earthen lamps), rangoli colours, and sweets. Baba will then take the lighting boxes out, test them and get started on hanging them. Once every couple of years, I remember him making the star lantern using the wooden sticks and special paper. Then he will use a hammer and khila (screw) to punch holes in it to make various design. These moments of being with your family and making handmade has always been the spirit of festivities for me.

Working together to get the lamps ready

Jharokhas made using leftover craft supplies

In the heart of our home, the kitchen, the magic unfolded each year as Aai, the culinary maestro, orchestrated a symphony of aromas, flavours, and traditions. The days leading up to the festival were a culinary journey, and the memories forged in that bustling kitchen continue to be the most cherished. Her most special was the Chakli bhajani, the aroma of roasted lentils would get me drawn to the kitchen, captivated by the alchemy of ingredients transforming into mouthwatering chaklis (but had to wait till the day of Deepawali to taste). Me and my sister would try our hands at making some but were filled with wonder and excitement of our Aai’s skilful techniques (….even today). Reflecting on the warmth of childhood Diwali celebrations, I realize that paying attention to the intricacies of the festive cooking rituals would have been a treasure trove of knowledge and skill for me today. The kitchen held the secrets to time-honoured recipes passed down to Aai by my Aaji (grandmother). In particular, learning the art of making traditional sweets like "Besan Ladoo" and "Rava-Naralache Ladoo" from scratch could have been a valuable lesson. Understanding the balance of flavours, the right consistency, and the techniques involved in transforming basic ingredients into delectable treats would have been a culinary foundation. Today panic video calls to Aai to check the colour of the roasted flour or consistency of my syrup is the norm in my kitchen. Although I manage to make most of her recipes, the end products are nowhere close to Her’s, even told so by my eldest “this does not taste like how Aaji makes it”.

Not so round ladoos made together

Learning to make chaklis

One thing that remains, is the kitchen still becomes bustling hub of family activity, moments of laughter echoed, and the aroma of spices lingering in the air, as my two munchkins armed with their aprons join me in on a journey of flavours. Although not as patient and skilful as Aai, our process in the kitchen is more theatrical, from measuring ingredients to rolling out ladoos of various sizes; making a perfect dough to not so round chaklis, however, every task is an opportunity to being together and participating in the festival preparations. Decorating the house is an equally enchanting affair. Since childhood making decorations and Deepawali cards has been a personal narrative into the festive landscape creating shared experiences. For last few years, we have been making handmade decorations with girls. Each year, the girls have taken up on making cards for friends and family, making rangoli, their eyes sparkling with enthusiasm and excitement in their voices when planning. Their creative laughter that accompanies my panic and OCD along with joyous hum of little hands at work, infuse an extra layer of vibrancy in our celebrations. Each handcrafted treasure by them and us adds a collective glow illuminating the darkness of Diwali night.

Hama bead divas for the cards

Handmade decorations

Rangoli by the girls

Looking back, Deepawali celebrations are not just a festival, lighting diyas that illuminate physical space, but also creating stories that are etched in the folds of time. The sense of accomplishment was not just in the dishes and decorations we prepared but in the bonds strengthened and memories created. Although some of the simplicity of the 1980s has been taken over by some extravagant practices, it remains a time when we wove memories with the threads of laughter, creativity and shared moments. It is about the warmth of family, laughter of friends and the joy of being together.