Make merry this season

It’s officially September and the festivities have commenced! Yes, we are at the annual peak of celebration and even the confusing Bengaluru weather is not going to be a dampener on the fun. We may be fresh off the Ganesha celebrations but the weekend is definitely looking up for those who are celebrating Bakrid today and Onam tomorrow. We speak to these city folk who tell us what they are looking forward to in the festive season!

Bakrid which is being celebrated today with much aplomb has got all the grandeur with food, and hectic festive shopping that is sure to put you in a tizzy.  Biryani is possibly the most popular element to any Eid celebration, as Inam Wani, a techie says, “I am looking forward to cooking biriyani with my friends, as it really is all about the food. Back home, Eid was celebrated for three whole days while here in the city we get just one day. It is quite a hectic time with a lot of things to do. All said and done, we also do need to reflect and remember the values of these festivals.”Sara M Anand, a makeup artiste says that it is such a great time to get together and catch up with whole family. “Our celebrations are very traditional in the sense that it is about being with the whole family, and nothing has really changed there. “

Although Onam that falls on Sunday is a festival regional to Kerala, it seems like festive fever has caught up to everyone.  If you live in the city, You’re sure to have at least one Malayalee Friend. Uvaise Nazir, a consultant at a start up firm says, “There is quite a large Malayalee community in Bengaluru and the entire celebration translates to other as well. Onam has become popular in the city and a lot of non-Malayalees as well are well aware of the sadhya (a traditional festive meal) and the pookalam (colourful arrangement of colors and flowers on the floor) ritual. When I used to work in a corporate, there were a lot of people who liked celebrating the festival in an informal manner by dressing up and putting a pookalam, even though it was not a formally announced celebration.”

If you’ve been around shopping, you may surely have noticed store windows displaying outfits in the classic white and gold combination much like the traditional Kerala saree! The shopping is possibly the most insane part of the festival with everyone wanting to get new outfits for the special day. Praba Shamili Jeeva, a law student says, “I’ve noticed a lot of innovative designs this time with new collections exuding that regional touch, especially the typical Keralean white and gold colour combination. It’s really classy.” The fun doesn’t end here. The holidays for Diwali and Dussehra are on their way and before you know it the Christmas bells will be ringing!