Traditional homemade Diwali mithai take a back seat in urban areas as working professionals hard-pressed for time prefer gifting chocolate boxes, cookies and dry-fruit hampers. (Image: Freepik)
Traditionally, Diwali, the Festival of Lights is synonymous with earthen oil lamps, firecrackers and traditional homemade sweets and savoury snacks. They evoke nostalgia and a sense of belonging. From laddoos, ghewar, shankarpali, karanjis, anarse, kaju katli to spicy sev and crispy chaklis. The rich and varied culinary offerings during Diwali represent India’s diverse heritage. However, in recent years, especially in urban areas, with both, husband and wife working, the joy of homemade traditional Diwali mithai is being swapped by shiny plastic boxes of chocolate truffles, dry-fruit cookies, nutri-bars, artisanal tea/coffee hampers. This shift is not merely a passing trend but a reflection of changing consumer habits, driven by convenience, globalisation, and the fast-paced lifestyle of modern India.
Traditional Diwali Spread
Recipes passed down from grandmothers to mothers would come alive, and kitchens would be bustling with activity. Anarse, a Maharashtrian delicacy made from rice flour, and karanji, a crisp pastry filled with sweet coconut, would be carefully shaped and fried. In the north, families would prepare besan laddoos and kaju katli, while in Gujarat, homes would be filled with the smell of shankarpali.
Rakhee Krishan, a Chef from Mumbai says, “While we still have desserts like Kaju Katli and Soan Papdi in the limelight, desserts like Balushahi, Chirote, Gavvalu, Chenna Murki and Khaja are like a lost art. The preparation of these desserts is no less than a family bonding session, everyone, young or old sits down to bring these delicacies together.”
Convenience Over Craft
However, in recent times, this scene has started to change, particularly in bustling urban cities. Today, many urban dwellers find themselves pressed for time, and the art of homemade sweets has, for some, become more of a luxury than a necessity. Enter the world of pre-packaged, sophisticated desserts. Instead of freshly made chiwda or karanji, it’s now common to see high-end confectionery and chocolate boxes occupying space in Diwali gift baskets. Gourmet cakes, designer truffles and even imported cookies have replaced the traditional mithai at many Diwali parties. But why this shift? For many, the answer is simple: convenience. Purchasing a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates or cakes is infinitely easier than devoting hours to making sweets at home.
Con(fusion) Food
Kokila Om Prakash (65), a Home Chef says, “When festival rolls around we don’t look at what type of sweets someone gifted us or whether it’s chocolates or mithais most of the times it’s the thought that’s heartfelt. Indeed, many desserts that I grew up eating aren’t done the authentic way anymore. I remember my grandchildren bringing some type of Rasgulla Tiramisu and it just gave me the ick. Fusion is nice but not necessary with every dessert, maybe it’s because I am old fashioned but I like my rasgulla either soaked in sugar syrup or masala dudh.” Food trends now lean heavily toward fusion, where classic Indian sweets like gulab jamun are reinvented as truffle balls, or laddoo is served as a deconstructed mousse. This blending of traditional and contemporary has blurred the lines between what is considered ‘authentic’ Diwali fare and what’s simply trendy.
Mithai = Cultural Markers
While this evolution reflects the changing times, it also comes with its set of concerns. Traditional Diwali sweets and snacks carry the weight of regional histories and familial memories. Kaju katli, chakli, and anarse are more than just sweets; they are cultural markers that connect generations. As urban India embraces convenience, there is a growing fear that these culinary traditions could fade into oblivion, lost to the sands of time.
The question remains: are we losing a part of our identity by trading our traditional mithai for a box of Ferrero Rocher? For many, the answer lies in balance. While modern treats offer convenience and global flair, there is a growing desire to preserve the authenticity of Diwali sweets by incorporating both the old and the new.
Convenience Over Craft
However, in recent times, this scene has started to change, particularly in bustling urban cities. Today, many urban dwellers find themselves pressed for time, and the art of homemade sweets has, for some, become more of a luxury than a necessity. Enter the world of pre-packaged, sophisticated desserts. Instead of freshly made chiwda or karanji, it’s now common to see high-end confectionery and chocolate boxes occupying space in Diwali gift baskets. Gourmet cakes, designer truffles and even imported cookies have replaced the traditional mithai at many Diwali parties. But why this shift? For many, the answer is simple: convenience. Purchasing a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates or cakes is infinitely easier than devoting hours to making sweets at home.
Con(fusion) Food
Kokila Om Prakash (65), a Home Chef says, “When festival rolls around we don’t look at what type of sweets someone gifted us or whether it’s chocolates or mithais most of the times it’s the thought that’s heartfelt. Indeed, many desserts that I grew up eating aren’t done the authentic way anymore. I remember my grandchildren bringing some type of Rasgulla Tiramisu and it just gave me the ick. Fusion is nice but not necessary with every dessert, maybe it’s because I am old fashioned but I like my rasgulla either soaked in sugar syrup or masala dudh.” Food trends now lean heavily toward fusion, where classic Indian sweets like gulab jamun are reinvented as truffle balls, or laddoo is served as a deconstructed mousse. This blending of traditional and contemporary has blurred the lines between what is considered ‘authentic’ Diwali fare and what’s simply trendy.
Mithai = Cultural Markers
While this evolution reflects the changing times, it also comes with its set of concerns. Traditional Diwali sweets and snacks carry the weight of regional histories and familial memories. Kaju katli, chakli, and anarse are more than just sweets; they are cultural markers that connect generations. As urban India embraces convenience, there is a growing fear that these culinary traditions could fade into oblivion, lost to the sands of time.
The question remains: are we losing a part of our identity by trading our traditional mithai for a box of Ferrero Rocher? For many, the answer lies in balance. While modern treats offer convenience and global flair, there is a growing desire to preserve the authenticity of Diwali sweets by incorporating both the old and the new.
Sanjana Rajan (24) says that, “Life is not as calm and monotonous as it used to be. Even if I want to, I don’t have the luxury to stop and make laddoos. It’s sad because I get a bit sad too when I receive a box of chocolates instead of traditional sweets during festivals but at the end of the day it is what it is.”
The Way Forward
In today’s world, where the old and new collide, perhaps the most festive way to celebrate Diwali is through a blend of tradition and modernity. Families can continue making a few special sweets like besan ladoos or karanji, while also indulging in a box of gourmet chocolates. By striking this balance, we honour our culinary heritage while adapting to contemporary lifestyles.
The Way Forward
In today’s world, where the old and new collide, perhaps the most festive way to celebrate Diwali is through a blend of tradition and modernity. Families can continue making a few special sweets like besan ladoos or karanji, while also indulging in a box of gourmet chocolates. By striking this balance, we honour our culinary heritage while adapting to contemporary lifestyles.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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