The way India’s festival of lights is celebrated has changed over the decades. In the ’50s and ’60s or even in the ’90s for example, people of the country used to start looking forward to Diwali weeks before the occasion. We talk to prominent people from the city about their view on the same and on what the festival used to mean to them as kids.
Narendra Luther
Mother’s Diwali stories
When we were young, our concentration was only on crackers. But now, everything has changed. Earlier, everyone used to have decent celebrations at home, not like now when people are more concerned about partying at pubs to celebrate the occasion. There would be different kinds of sweets and the kids used to have a unique challenge who would get to stay up late at night to watch the last few fireworks go out without getting scolded. Another thing which has been an integral part of my childhood Diwali memories was the storytelling sessions by my mother. We all, cousins and friends, would sit together and hear my mother telling us the story about Goddess Laxmi and her importance in the Diwali puja.
Narendra Luther, Author,
Historian and former
Civil Servant
Jagdish Mittal
A time of bonding
I am 93 now and I’ve been celebrating Diwali since decades. One of my most vivid memories of the day is the smell of sweets being made in the kitchen and fresh paint at home. Family friends would come to our home and we would exchange sweets. The joy of celebrating is the same but the scale has reduced a lot over time. When I had first come to Hyderabad, the inter-community celebrations were the highlight. My Muslim friends would come home for Diwali and Holi. But now, the inter-faith bonding has reduced and one can feel the mental peace and harmony slowly diminishing.
Jagdish Mittal, Artist
Anjani Reddy
A personal touch
The meaning of Diwali has changed over the years. Earlier, as kids, we had lots of expectations gifts, crackers and new dresses. We could feel the vibe of the festival in the air with preparations in full swing starting weeks in advance. Back then, for Diwali, girls at home used to dress in similar colours. I loved sending personalised greeting cards to wish people. I used to paint small handcrafted greeting cards on sandalwood sheets and send them to friends staying abroad. Recently, I came across one of those handcrafted cards after 50 years which was preserved by one of my friends’ brother. I felt so nice.
Anjani Reddy, Artist
Surya Prakash
A quiet festival
Celebrating Diwali is one of the fondest memories I have from my childhood. As a kid, we used to prepare for Diwali at least one week in advance. But now, as we don’t have any children at home, my wife and I celebrate the occasion quietly. We also used to make a list of things that we needed to buy, like crackers and sweets.
Surya Prakash, Artist
