Oh yes, I am very much alive and so is my blog….
Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who kept on asking about my blog even when I offered no new posts…. Your views and suggestions always motivate me to write more….
Now, since Diwali is round the corner… I am taking this opportunity to wish each and every one, a very happy, safe and prosperous Deepavali/Diwali/Diwalu...
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On this auspicious day, may the glow of joys, prosperity and happiness alluminate your days in the years ahead!!
Ungal Vaalkayil Thunbangal Ellam Karaindhu Poga, Olimayamaana Ethirkaalam Pirakka, Indha Deepawali Thirunaalil En Iniya Vaalthukkal!
Roshan Ho Deepak Sara Jag Jagmagaye, Zindagi Ki Shuruvat Pyar Se Hoti Hai, Pyar Ki Shuruvat Apno Se Hoti Hai Aur Apno Ki Shuruvat Aapse Hoti Hai!!
Mee Inta Velagaali Dewalu Kaantulu Mee Pedavula Pai Viriyaali Chirunavvulu Mee Chenta Vundaali Dhana Kanaka Raasulu Meeku Andistunnaanu Diwalu Subhaakaankshalu!!
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Diwali is the festival of lights! Well, this used to be the standard first line in my every “My favorite festival” essay. I am not sure how but, the whole feel of the festival has changed over the years for me.
As a child, Diwali used to be celebrated with lots of fun. I used to meet my nephews & cousins, visit friends house, burst fire crackers and enjoy amazing home made food! It used to start with my mother waking me, my sister and my brother at 5 am, massaging our body with oil and bathing us. Then after getting blessings from our parents and grandparents we would relish all the sweets prepared. I and all my friends would burst crackers in the community, decorate (my Mom) the entrances with colorful rangolis and diyas and ENJOY the whole day. Somehow, a lot of this has changed over the years.
I, no longer, burst crackers (due to where I reside these days I guess) visits to relatives and visits from relatives became fewer mostly due to us all departing in separate ways, thus, affecting the gala-time we used to share. Instead these days, I end up in front of my television for most parts of the day. The 5 am oil bath has been procrastinated to an 8 am shampoo bath. The practice of buying and wearing new clothes has been compromised. The gifts have reduced. The amount of sweets that used to be made has decreased to NONE. There is no rangoli in the entrance. Diwali seems to have lost its spark.
I don’t know if you share the same observation as mine but, for me, the festival of lights has become glum over the years. The tag of ‘festival’ stays but the grandeur seems lost.
Is it all because we have grown up? Our families have increasingly become nuclear? Our social circles have reduced? Longings have deteriorated?
No, I don’t know the answers. And moreover, everyone’s reasons would defer. Some people’s Diwali must have never changed.
Nevertheless, to end this post on a happy note… I would urge everyone to stay happy this Diwali. If you are going through the same, make an honest effort to bring back at the least something about Diwali that you truly miss. And don’t forget to make the people around you happy, because that’s the true essence of a festival!
