‘Guru Nanak & Ganesha Share The Altar On Diwali’
Anu Mann, 54, a teacher and theatre artist, says due to Covid-19 this year she will miss celebrating Diwali with friends and playing card games. But nothing can dampen the festive spirit in her heart
I haven’t missed a single Diwali celebration in my life, though a few have been a little mellow. This year too, the coronavirus cannot dampen my spirit when it comes to Diwali festivities (within the prescribed norms, of course). Maybe we can’t meet a lot of people, but my love for Diwali isn’t going to lessen one bit.
I buy new clothes for Diwali every year and take great care to look my best. It has been so since my childhood. My father was a bureaucrat and we called many a city home, and festivals almost always meant the time when you accepted a city or town completely.
I was a naughty child and crackers were my favourite thing during Diwali days. Back then it was different. There was no talk of pollution control; only budgetary controls meant nobody went crazy bursting too many firecrackers that may cause discomfort to others.
After marriage, I became an Army wife and my husband was a part of, let’s say, a non-Sikh regiment. As is the glorious tradition of Indian Army, one follows the religion of the regiment. I must say the Diwalis that we spent during the peace postings were the best: full of fun, colours, laughter, lots of good food and to-die-for Diwali melas.
But when my husband used to be in field postings, the festival would be a subdued affair but would be celebrated nonetheless. In our family, Diwali was celebrated even the years when I lost my father and father-in-law. They were both people who always used to be full of life and Diwali meant we celebrated the spark of life in them that had touched many lives.
My son has inherited our love for the wonderful festival and even though he lives in Canada, he misses Diwali and Guru Purab a lot. I wish he could travel and come be with us this year, but the pandemic has proved to be a dampener. Next Diwali we hope our family can be together. Not only my son, I will also miss my friends with whom I used to play card games during Diwali.
I love seeing people happy and always tip my house helps and other staff generously before Diwali. I want everyone to feel abundant. I put lot of love and effort into getting my house Diwali-ready. On chhoti Diwali I go to the Gurudwara and light candles to mark the beginning of this beautiful festival. And since Guru Purab comes soon after Diwali, I get into a different mood starting Diwali; it’s the happiest time of the year for me.
The altar at my home has Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Lakshmi & Ganesh Ji sitting side by side during Diwali. Blessings jahan se mil jayein le lena chahiye (Gather blessings from wherever they come). I love life and Diwali serves as the time when the joy of my being explodes. The pandemic has perhaps shown us that we need to love life and respect each other if we want a happy world. Let the festivities begin! Happy Diwali!
ALSO READ: ‘We Celebrate All Festivals But Diwali is Special’
That’s the spirit. Dewali a festival which enlightens our lives and you are full of generosity and an example as to how we should display our feelings and celebrate the moments with family and friends taking care for the deprived ones. You set an example to bring the positivity even if environment is not so favourable..
Wish you a long healthy happy and active life giving message to masses that life is to live with love and in an amiable environment and not to waste it with negativity.
Beautifully penned Mrs Mann…Always a delight to read your write ups.. You always manage to mesmerise everyone would an understatement. Be it your impeccable culinary skills doing up your house or sartorial fashion choices, Mrs Mann can never go wrong. Must say your smile also leaves everyone captivated. Stay blessed n everjoyous…
Yes indeed! we missed the extravaganza of the festivities on Deewali. The card parties have been a special attraction. How much we all enjoy the thrills and excitement followed by lavish dinners. The hostesses do up their houses and deck up and everyone gets their chance.The services is the epitome of secular culture. Thanks Anu for encapsulating the fervour of this mega Indian festival. Happy Deewali
Thats the spirit of Life. Celebrating the moments with gaity and making it memorable. You are a wonderful human being taking care for the deprived ones including masses in your pr
ayers. You have graduated in reversing the environment to positivity from negativity.
Wish you a long healthy happy and active life and contribute your might to change the drowning and worsening culture of the society and enlighten and teach the lesson and importance of love and smile to the world.
So very beautifully envoloped the life we live as in the forces adoptong and adepting to every festival , the aim is celebrating Life as rightly worded by you .
Your words our the voice of our soul
Every word crafted with such ease , simplicity yet with reverence for our versatile Nation
Much love and Regards Maam
