Diya Wali Diwali

As the most magical Indian festivals lingers around, the markets get decorated again.

The discounts show up, and the festive zeal runs through. Big billion sales taking next level. I am busy in doing diwali cleaning. After finishing almost all decorations half exhausted I retire to bed. And soon a gush of childhood deepawalis rush to my mind. "Shubh Deepawali" we used to call it for all.

The warmth of my native house, which I visited ten months back. The running around of kids in colonies and screaming diwali loud. The non stop crackers sound. And happiness diffused in air.

Helping mother in almost everything. opening the old boxes, and setting it up again. Everything stored in attic has a story and memory attached. Finding old photoghraps and wonder how simple yet elegant mom looked on her wedding day. 

Cleaning the fans by climbing on old shaky ladder. Shooting every single cockroach we found. And suddenly screaming the heart out on finding a lizard.

The day would pass on and in evening mom would cook pulav for all. For days we would tie to same routine. Finally on dhanteras calling it end. Dad would have a list of sweet boxes to distribute. And we would eagerly wait for people to bring something different on diwali. Mostly dad would pass on the boxes to others just by keeping one or two for us. In Indian bulb jhalar our houses used to shine. Marigold bandanwars and peacock rangolis. New sofa covers and plastic flowers neatly decorated.

On Diwali day mom would gift us new clothes she got from flea market. And in evening full family dazzled in them. The special moments were seen by eyes and captured in hearts. As the mania of selfies never exist that time. Maybe that's why I still recall everything aptly.

The diyas and candles decorations would take an hour. At last bursting crackers budgetly brought by us. We were simple, so was our Diwali. But still it had great feeling and love in it. Togetherness of family. It was truly festival of lights and happiness. Sadly today Festival is still the same, but means have changed. Earthen pots been replaced by LED lights, self cleaning took ease by service providers we get from apps, memories are not in heart, but soft copies saved in mobile, urge to visit parents is weakened by performing pooja on video calls. Sweets are replaced by fancy chocolate boxes wrapped in silk decorations. And feelings are mixed up now. Don't know if my child will also have such great memories intact in her heart, which can give her smiles even after years and years.

Soon my daughter woke me up, and the present diwali took over my childhood memories. I took a deep breath and a smile, considering myself lucky as I have seen a raw festival from its roots, and for the coming generations it more of a fancy one.