Diwali Reinvented

The Lights of the lamps, the sounds of the crackers, the taste of the sweets- reminds you of Diwali? Well, this Diwali is passé, NT explores the new way:

Diwali has traditionally been the most celebrated and grandest of Indian Festivals. Along, with the mythological significance the festival has, people have derived new implications by associating it as a platform for people to come together, cleanliness, preserving dhan (wealth), replacing old things and brother-sister relationship. The process of updating these symbolisms and making them more relevant to the society has made it a mirror of taking the old customs and traditions, to the way forward.

Taking a common example when asked to a teenager ‘When does he come to know when Diwali is approaching?’, Rahul Verma, a answers “,When the brands start playing the Diwali theme advertisements.” On the same question, his mother, Ranjani Verma, answers “When people start cleaning their houses.” Hence, although certain intrinsic rituals like the Lakshmi Pujan occupy a permanent place, the other facets still remain open to customization.

The innovation has been far and wide. The Diwali Mithai and Farsan have been replaced by the Celebrations and the Biscuit packs. The one to one way of greetings and wishing best wishes for the season have transformed from the Telephone calls, to the forward Smses and now Social Networking sites where people tag all those they want to wish on Facebook pictures and wall posts. In fact, even the ritual of playing cards at midnight (Teen pati) has surrendered itself to Poker. Speaking on the increased consumerism, Diwali is now incomplete without shopping some latest Branded stuff for your loved one or watching the latest Diwali release. The people have derived mixed opinion on crackers because of increased awareness about Child Labour and Environmental Pollution associated with it.

The Corporate have come up with lingua like Corporate gifting and Traditional Wear Competitions to motivate the employees to perform and not take an off in the peak season. The Malls have become the centre of all action instead of the local city markets. The most drastic change however, has been the Earthen Diyas (Lamps) being replaced by Electronic Lights. In fact, something amusing is beggars having their Diwali budgets which can be gauged from the experience of beggars at Nasik Road Station asking for an extra Diwali bonus.

In the light of Consumerism, Social Media, Environmentalism, Globalisation and faster Lifestyles, Nasikites have Reinvented our very own Diwali. What’s next? Let’s hope that this Diwali draws some light on it…