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Today, as I look back into my childhood years, Deepawali (diwali) was always a fun affair. We used to head to grandpa’s place in Pangala every year, and celebrate Deepawali in the company of cousins and other relatives. It was a big affair. Grandpa’s verandah (cum our cricket pitch) would be the location where we played with fireworks and crackers of all sorts. It was a village setting: bustling with celebration in pockets but yet peaceful. It was in contrast with the Diwali (deepawali) that I got to indulge in Bangalore as I grew older.  Too many people, too much of noise, and too much of pollution in the air. I began to dislike taking acting part in it as I grew older.

Looking back, another realization hits me hard. I only have memories of Deepawali, but no photographs…

We were too busy involved in the festivities and never bothered to have a camera. After all, shooting in film and developing it was a costly affair. There was no sign of digital cameras then. However, on one particular Deepawali (I don’t remember which year it was, but it was around a solar eclipse) dad’s close friend from United Kingdom was visiting us. He had something called as a Handycam. Not digital, but a tiny video tape. I was bowled over looking at it. He did record some celebrations in Bangalore, but I have no clue where that tape is now. Anyways, bottom line is that there are  no photographs from my hey days of celebrating the festival of lights.

Circa 2010 AD, Arnav (my nephew) is at our home and it is Deepawali again. At least, let his Deepawali be documented in frames for him to look back and enjoy years from now. With that thought, I picked up my camera on a holiday and went about photographing things that I loved. But, it was an anti climax!

Arnav didn’t seem to enjoy the noise on the streets. He retreated, with rest of the family, back into the safety of our apartment. I was left stranded amidst strangers and noise that I have come to dislike. I did withdraw from the scene in few minutes. And I went searching for things that spoke of the festival and I could connect with. In tranquil locations, not far from the epicenter of pollution, I did find elements that spoke of Deepawali in a language I could related to…

And then I said, Happy Deepawali everyone.

Hope you have a great year.

P.S: I love Deepawali, but not the way most of us celebrate it.