Monday, October 27, 2014

Diwali from Non-Indian Eyes


DiwaliFest tabla group, photo credit: Ray Van Eng
“Happy Diwali!” is a common greeting in India between mid-October to mid-November. It seems equivalent to winter solstice/Christmas/New Year in the western world, that is, in reference to the festival of lights as well as the exchange of gifts and the like.

It is a highly anticipated holiday in India, well-loved and observed by those who honour it. Various rituals including the cleaning of homes as well as the lighting of lamps and candles (both indoors and out) as well as firecrackers and fireworks, the donning of new clothes or best attire, the partaking of food including sweets, and the exchange of gifts with family and close friends are all routine as part of the festive celebrations.

It was my first DiwaliFest – the 11th anniversary this year – held at The Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver, BC. This festival reigned from October 17th to October 26th, though I only attended some of the performances on the last day.

I would have donned a Punjabi suit; however, I didn’t own one at present. I had, prior a number of years ago, when I used to perform an inspired creative dance piece years ago. (Just on an aside, it was the first outfit my eyes laid on when I entered a store in the Punjabi part of Vancouver: the background was periwinkle, my favourite colour, with beautifully-coloured flowered patterns, primarily in pink that matched an elegant and long, pink- and periwinkle-toned scarf.)

Instead, I considered wearing yoga pants and a long-sleeved multi-coloured tunic, not my best attire perhaps, but feminine-like, comfortable and flowing. However, with an extremely rainy day, I ended up wearing jeans as my yoga pants were too long and would likely get soaked.

Shortly after arriving at the event, in zealous anticipation of a kirtan (sacred chanting in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language) which I LOVE, I bought some 'authentic' Indian chai, though declined the spicy pakora – too spicy for me – and the butter chicken as I had eaten about an hour prior. (Information about kirtan: http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Kirtan)

Unfortunately, there was no kirtan, only performances, though I did get to witness some great music. Sandra Leigh who runs 'Give Peace a Chant' (http://www.givepeaceachant.org/) in Vancouver played harmonium (a popular and traditional Indian instrument) and chanted in Sanskrit before the performance of an Indian woman; http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Harmonium. The MC (master of ceremonies) credited the English-speaking woman for her “perfect Sanskrit.”

I also heard a duo consisting of a tabla and sitar player - love those instruments - performing a three-part piece. I recorded the fastest movement; however, having difficulty downloading it (and hopefully will be able to later as it is an amazing performance). Following was a group of tabla instrumentalists; see picture at top, though I left shortly after they ended.

Nevertheless, during the event, I bumped into Ray Van Eng, a Vancouver photographer, who video recorded the flamenco dance troupe after I had gone. Flamenco is "a form of Spanish folk music and dance from the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. It includes cante (singing), toque (guitar playing), baile (dance) and palmas (handclaps)." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco)



In a different room at the centre were two motifs known as rangoli which were decorated on the floor with some pastel-coloured sand or rice. I only discovered this past week, Friday, October 24th what rangoli was by reading Usha Menon’s blog post, Kuch Khatta Kuch Meetha, on Diwali (http://eccentricgrandmum.blogspot.in/2014/10/diwali-came-and-went.html).

Photo I took of Rangoli at DiwaliFest 2014

Rangoli is art created by patterns on living room or courtyard floors utilizing materials such as coloured rice or sand, flower petals or the like. It is usually made during Diwali and other Indian festivals. (Read more about this wonderful art form here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli)

What is it about the essence of Diwali that you most enjoy, and if you don’t celebrate it, what aspect do you think you would most enjoy and why?

P.S. The title is inspired from one of my Indie blogging friends, Vinodini Iyer who was a guest blogger on September 25th, "No, I do NOT Speak Indian!" - http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/no-i-do-not-speak-indian.html Also, you can now see some photos of my dance in a Punjabi suit on my February 7, 2015 post.

Am linking this to Ultrablog as well as to Writetribebloggers and Ultimateblogchallenge.

39 comments:

  1. A delightful read, Elly! As someone who attended several Indian-American Diwali celebrations when I lived in the US I could so relate to the 'performance' part of these celebrations. Such festival celebrations in the Indian diaspora community in North America become a way to showcase several aspects of the vibrant Indian culture. I am sure in their own ways, all these Indian families celebrate another big aspect of Diwali - that of Lakshmi puja (invoking the goddess of prosperity and harmony) in their own homes. That part is something that is done in the homes and with families, not always as a community celebration. Glad that you enjoyed your visit to the Diwali fest :)

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    1. Glad you enjoyed reading it Beloo! Yes, I noticed in my research that Laskmi was honoured; however, as I didn't experience that, I didn't mention, though good to know. :) <3

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  2. Elly, the article is superb. Seeing your interest in Indian festivals, food, dress I feel you have some connection with all that is Indian. I am glad you enjoyed the festivities.

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    1. Thanks Usha, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I also love Indian music, especially kirtan as I mentioned above, though tabla and sitar too! :) <3

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  3. You've felt the pulse of the festivities Elle, mentioning words such as kirtan and rangoli is not easy to a non-Indian, unless they enjoy it. Would have loed to see your pix in a punjabi suit :)

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    1. Thanks Nisha for noticing. I certainly enjoy both, though rangoli was a new experience for me. And yes, I was looking to see if I had a photo with myself in one; however, it is in a (hard copy) photo and would have to (learn to) convert it to digital! Maybe one day! ;) <3

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  4. This is so refreshing - reading about a festival we've celebrated for years from such a new and different perspective. You did get the most I f it - the rangoli, the kirtans and of course the dressing up. You must come to India sometime and watch the Lakshmi puja which is the core of the Diwali celebrations and of course the fireworks.

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    1. Thanks Tulika. I thought it would be fun to do, especially with all the Indie bloggers I have encountered in particular recently through several blog challenges. Yes, hopefully one day I will get to experience the full celebrations live including Lakshmi puja and the fireworks! ;) <3

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  5. You have totally brought the festival to life, Elly - through all of our senses. Oh, how jealous you make me feel. I am not as familiar as you with the Indian culture, but the bits and pieces I have experienced ignite in me curiosity and warmth. Thank you for sharing :) HUGS <3

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    1. Thanks Judy. I actually wasn't consciously writing about the festival from the perspective of all senses; however, I am glad I did, not because of the way it made you feel though of course! Curiousity and warmth hopefully will lead you to other experiences, perhaps through kirtan and/or a visit to India perhaps, who knows? ;) <3

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  6. Wow, you seemed to have had a great Diwali celebration Elly! It is indeed quite refreshing to read about this festival from a non-Indian's perspective. The fact that the title of this post was inspired by my guest post seems so natural considering the subject you were writing on. Thanks for the mention, it was a pleasant surprise!

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    1. Yes, it was fun to have a taste of it, a taste of India via cultural festivities. See my comment to Tulika above re. perspective. I'm glad I not only surprised you, but delighted you as well! ;) <3

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  7. Brilliant read. Looks like you had whale of a time

    PhenoMenon
    http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/10/pyramid-valley/

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    1. Thanks Pheno, it was an enjoyable experience. :) <3

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  8. It's so wonderful to read about one of my fav festivals from the perspective of a non Indian. Rangoli look so beautiful. I love lighting up my place with lights and diya ... although here in Sydney I was quite scared of setting off the fire alarm :)

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    1. Thanks Rajlakshmi. There were two designs, but I thought this was prettier and brighter in colour than the other. I think any place, inside and outside looks pretty with lights. We do that here a lot during the Christmas season, that is why I mentioned Diwali reminds me a bit of that. ;) <3

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  9. Enjoyed reading about this ..I remember celebrating festivals in Sydney...It was a way to remain connected to my culture even though I was far away..

    Random Thoughts Naba..Lovely-Uncertainties...

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    1. Thanks Nabanita. It's great to be able to enjoy cultural festivities elsewhere isn't it? :) <3

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  10. a good fun read! I was in New York a year back and I missed home (india) terribly during the festive season esp Eid and Diwali and used to rush to the Indian populated areas to get a taste of home :)

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    1. Thanks Maryam, glad you enjoyed my post. And good that you were able to enjoy the festivities in New York whilst you were there! :) <3

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  11. I am not familiar with the culture, so this was fun and interesting to read. Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Marie, and now you have a bit more familiarity with the Indian culture, though from a non-Indian perspective! ;) <3

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  12. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Diwali, which I'd previously only associated with light. I love to hear about different cultures.

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    1. Thanks Francene. Yes, I too thought it was mostly about light, though I hadn't mentioned the other main component about puja (prayers) to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and abundance. See Beloo's remarks on top. I too love to learn more about different cultures as it makes for a more colourful world! :) <3

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  13. Great post. I like the dance video you posted--that must have taken so much practice, to all be in unison like that!

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    1. Thanks Amalia. Yes, I think so too...that was a pretty amazing dance performance. However, Flamenco is not a traditional dance for India so I was curious about the correlation... :) <3

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  14. Elly that is such a beautiful celebration and your interest in Kirtan is so cool. I am a Sikh so I am very impressed. Let me know if you want a Punjabi Suit, will send one over. Even the Duppattas are delicately embroidered and can be used as stoles. I am sure Vancouver is full of delightful shopping!

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    1. Thanks Inderpreet. Your comment tickles me pink! ;) Had to google "Duppatta' - now I know another Indian word! ;) - and yes, I used the beautiful pink and blue duppatta as a 'stole' or shawl as well. ;) <3

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  15. Thanks for sharing your Diwali experience. A truly beautiful festival!

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    1. Thanks Michelle. Yes, it is a very colourful festival I find: a feast for the visual and other senses! :) <3

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  16. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. I wasn't familiar with this festival until now.

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    1. Thanks Barbara, I appreciate your kind words. I'm glad you got a 'taste' of it. ;) <3

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  17. It was really when I lived in the United Arab Emirates that I came to know about Diwali. I had several Indian friends who lived in the same apartment building and I remember the wife (Canadian) and her husband (Indian) knocking on doors and delivering a pastry they made in honor of the celebration. After the first few years, I joined in the celebration. It was wonderful living in the UAE. We celebrated several different customs throughout the year! I also remember a colleague played the tabla and I interviewed him. He was the grandson of a maharaja and grew up in royal circles where the arts were performed. He was absolutely amazing!
    Thank you so much for posting your experience about Diwali this year and sharing so many details of it with us. I felt I was peeking over your shoulder!

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    1. Thanks Amy for your comments and "peeking over my shoulder!" ;) I think it's great that you were able to learn about and join in Diwali and other cultural celebrations with your friends. And don't you find the tabla has a wonderful sound and rhythm to it? :) <3

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  18. My lovely Elly, do you know how amazing you are? Your love, interest and knowledge of indian culture and traditions is so heart-warming and amiable! I would love to see you in the punjabi suit. Plz, do upload a pic of yours in them i don't celebrate diwali but what i like about it is the joy and goodwill it spreads, but hate the noisy crackers that pollute sound, air and streets! The milder and less noisier ones are good.

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    1. Ah, you're so sweet Asma! ;) I would love to see me in the punjabi suit too; however, it no longer fits me. One day I will have to take at least one of the photos I have of it and digitalize it! ;) Yes, joy and goodwill can certainly outbeat noise and pollution any day! ;) <3

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  19. HI Elly, i feel connected now with you and your blog. I thankyou for such a beautiful narrative of Diwali .

    Loved it.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this from my perspective Ajay. It certainly was a colourful event! :) <3

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