Get ready for a Green Diwali

A Green Diwali is on everyone’s mind as the festival of lights looms in the horizon. City folk have turned over a new leaf as the social media sphere also bursts with people vouching for an environment-friendly Diwali.The incessant noise and pollution caused by firecrackers, touted to be the most fun part of the festivities, is an alarming cause for worry. However with awareness, many people in Bengaluru have had a change of heart with regard to how they wish to celebrate.

With everyone gearing up for the festivities a few artistes in the city have taken up initiatives that promises you a creative and innovative DIY experience while  going back to basics. Rashmi Kothari, a city-based artiste has not bought crackers in over 10 years, seeing that it is equivalent to burning one’s own money. “I am definitely a big proponent of recycle, upcycle and reuse of art.  Diwali is one festival that I have noticed brings people together but at the same time, also creates a lot of different kinds of pollution. As an artiste, my two cents to the environment would be to help people make their own decorations and gifts. My workshop revolves around how you can make this Diwali environment-friendly, artistic and get involved with your family. While oil lamps are eco-friendly, oil spills that tend to happen are wasteful. You could maintain these lamps by creating a stand and coaster with old CDs. You could also create DIY gifts with bottle decor and lights as well as paper crafts using old newspapers.”

Take advantage of your creativity and even go that extra mile and learn to make your own diyaas! Maya Baby, a potter and ceramic artist will be hosting an event where you could learn to make your own personalized diyaas.  "In Bengaluru, the community as such strives to be sustainable. From my side, through a small event I could add to the initiative to be more conscious of how we celebrate the festival. Clay is sustainable and goes back to nature. Instead if buying diyaas you might as  I have worked with public schools and it's the right way to enforce thoughts in the minds of the future generations."

There really is so much more that one can do to celebrate without creating a ruckus. While bursting crackers causes pollution this time of the year is also a huge worry for animal lovers. Sneha Suhas, a stand up comedian and radio jockey says, "The main reason I don't burst crackers is because street dogs get really disturbed and scared by them and as a person who works for the welfare of animals this is really hurtful. A lot of people prefer Chinese LED lights as they are easier to decorate with. But this is the season that local artisans look forward to and I think we should support local talents. Clay diyas are after all extremely eco friendly" This wind of caution has us all hyped up on being truly environment-friendly and here's to hoping we go through with it.