‘Diwali is our pause button’
When we were kids, it was all about the fireworks.
But as we grew up, Diwali became a festival of getting together and having fun conversations.
Now, everyone has got so busy with their lives.
But Diwali and Sankranti are the two festivals in our family where we pause every other work engagement and keep the day free, just to spend time with family.
Today, Diwali is less about fireworks and more about family bonding.
It is the one festival that is really close to my heart.”
— Niharika Konidela, Actress
‘My daughter is our Lakshmi Devi’
Diwali growing up was insane.
We used to have firework fights in Chennai, in the streets.
Even till now, it is a tradition that dad takes us to the firework shop and we are allowed to get whatever we want.
However, as I got older and understood what it does to nature and the environment, I have 100% stopped bursting fireworks.
But for the joy of my daughter, she chooses the little sparkles, so it is not so damaging for our puppies, but still just to keep the spirit of Diwali going.
Since I’ve moved to Mumbai, it has been a juggle during Diwali, how I split my time.
But my daughter always, on the day of Diwali, spends time with her dad’s side of the family, because they have very rooted rituals and traditions for a girl child, where they make her the Lakshmi Devi and pray to her.
It is a very beautiful ritual that is very moving too.”
— Lakshmi Manchu, Actress
Good over evil
A noiseless pollution-free Diwali is what I prefer for my family.
Diwali is all about triumph of good over evil and I am hoping for more of that to happen this year.”
— Vijay Sethupathi, Actor
‘Strictly family time’
Diwali is strictly family time. I get the rare opportunity to be with my sons and their wives.
A quiet dinner and lots of goodwill. And no crackers. There is enough fireworks in our lives.”
— Nagarjuna, Actor
Full-house to full heart
When I was a child, Diwali used to be a time for new clothes, for the mithai that my mother made. Full house, crackers, phool-jhadi.
Now I pray only for a noise-free and pollution-free Diwali so that little children and animals don’t get frightened.”
— Rekha, Actress
‘Never been big on crackers’
Diwali has been lovely so far, mostly about spending time with family, good food and a little bit of festive cheer. I’ve never been too big on crackers, so I am happy keeping it low-key and celebrating without adding to the noise.”
— Lakshya Lalwani, Actor
‘Looking forward to parties’
Looking forward to all the parties this year. It’s the best time of the year. And no crackers, haven’t played with crackers since the last 6 years. Took a pledge.”
— Vedang Raina, Actor
Dia back in time for pooja
We are in South Africa for the One Young World Summit. I’ll be back in time for Diwali day pooja and dinner with family and friends.”
— Dia Mirza, Actress
‘My kids love anaar, chakri’
My kids and my kids’ kids, love the anaar, chakri and sparkling phuljari. Phuljari is a must.
I don’t see the need for big dhamakas. I like the colourful ones that light up the sky without noise. Diwali, for me, is a time for my family and the staff who have been with me for years.”
— Raveena Tandon, Actress
South Indian Diwali
It’s as usual, a quiet family Diwali. With Pooja at home like all South Indians, early in the morning.”
— R. Madhavan, Actor
‘We never play with crackers’
We never play with crackers. Too much pollution. A pity. Used to be lots of fun when we were kids. Now we have to be more mindful. Diyas will be lit and family prayers. And family dinner.”
— Saif Ali Khan, Actor
‘Small puja at home’
Just a small Puja at home in the family. Just the four of us, my wife, Tiger and Krishna with me. That’s my Diwali.”
— Jackie Shroff, Actor
Noise hurts voiceless
I have four cats and two dogs at home who shiver and cower and hide under the bed as the firecrackers start during Diwali. It is heartbreaking to see them that way. I feel helpless. I can’t do anything to ease their agony except wait for the noise to end.”
— Pooja Bhatt, Actress
‘I catch myself becoming like my mum on Diwali’
Diwali is when I catch myself becoming my mother. I hear myself telling everyone to get ready for the puja while doing three things at once, exactly as she did. Growing up, I was impatient with all that preparation. Now I want to know how she managed it. The Diwali gift I treasure most is a sari from her wardrobe. Before I wear it, I ask when she last wore it and what she remembers about that evening. I love discovering that something I thought of as ‘mum’s old sari’ belonged to a young woman with her own lovely stories.”
— Mrunal Thakur, Actress
Chaos, laughter and diyas
It’s that time of the year when the house comes alive, with everyone pitching in to make the festivities special.There is always a little chaos and a lot of laughter that comes with Diwali.There is something so beautiful about a house filled with familiar faces, conversations, and warmth.And then, of course, there are my favourite little Diwali rituals making rangoli, decorating the house, lighting it up with diyas and dressing up for the Lakshmi Puja.
It’s not just the festival, but the traditions, laughter, anticipation and joy of celebrating with loved ones.
— Deepika Bansal, Corporate Employee
When we sing ‘Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana’ together
It’s a joy to celebrate the five days — Dhanteras, Narakachaturdasi, Deepavali, Govardhan Puja and Bhaidooj and to learn the stories attached to them.
When we were young, we used to distribute work amongst ourselves — purchasing crackers with dad, helping mom in cleaning, decorating house, making sweets, practising rangoli on paper and seeing the outcome on the floor.
Simple chores gave us ultimate joy.
Every Narakachaturdasi, firing crackers before dawn with my kids and mother-in-law was just simple.
The most loved moment was the entire family singing Om Jai Lakshmi Ramana, Aarti of Goddess Lakshmi.
As times have changed, everything is changing and at times, I wish those days could come back.
Our rituals bind us together, unknowingly, into a beautiful union.”
— Priydarshini Sharda Reddy, Ikebana Artist and Founder & Creative Director, Tasha Event Artisans
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
