Light and Dark

When I opened this page, I expected a long and arduous report from Jai about how much he loves celebrating Diwali, with mellifluous adjectives and ardent descriptions. But I had forgotten that Jai is not in town. And hence, the responsibility of expressing these sentiments falls upon me.

I am neither a lover of bright lights nor of pitch dark. I prefer it somewhere in the middle - like the meaning of my name - I prefer twilight. What attraction, then, does the Festival of Lights hold for me? Simply put, staying true to my ferocious Aries blood, I like the vigour and excitement that this time of the year exudes. Yes, there are a few short tempers, a frown here and there, but who can remain upset for long when the house is overflowing with sweet delicacies and the hustle-bustle of busy feet? For even if you have no close relations, or are not in the habit of going on vacations, Diwali is celebrated with as much enjoyment as it would be if you were on a green hilltop with crackers bursting in the chill night sky.

Isn't it strange that the festival of lights - Diwali - occurs so close to the festival of dark terrors - Hallowe'en? Soon the days will start to ebb early and the nights will lengthen. In the West, children in costumes of varying designs will step out and go 'trick-or-treat'ing. Some say that phantoms rise on All Hallows' Eve, that the dead shake in their earthly tombs, while some others profess that it is an occasion to invoke spiritual lessons about death and mortality in the minds of children.

While Diwali has gathered up her sari and bid us farewell until next year, Hallowe'en approaches in his dark robe, silent and watchful. Happy Diwali and a great Hallowe'en to everyone (and everything) out there!