Festive Greetings!
Well, this is no article to protest nor patronize the “award
giving away” debate that is making rounds. Actually am no one eligible J. Guess you need an award
gallery to be in the league for expressing such viewpoints. But thank you for the
whelming appreciation that you pampered me with for my recent publication named
Safety Pin. That is more than any award, to me. I am grateful. It is a
different season that I am enjoying this autumn, which is warmer than usual,
this year.
While the festive euphoria is still on, today was one such
day that I stepped into kitchen to cook something special. Barren play grounds
and apartment rooftops gearing up to host the firework shows. While the curry
was boiling some names that spot fired in mind are flickering fuljhuri, unpredictable chorki, colourful rang-mashal, noisy chocolate
bomb and gushing tubri. There was an annoying rocket too!! They still exist in some form and
shape at prices pacing with inflation, sprinkling
splinter on the floor, in the garden or up in the air.
Conscious parents still bargain and adventurous kids want it
all. The routine of school exam following the short festive vacation continues.
I just hope tender minds don’t give away the art of being unmindful. That is
where the dream of life begins. Amidst the celebration we too were pushed to
prepare for the exams. With an open economics book on the table, in broad day
light mind waited for the darkness of night to step in. I could read the mind
of the next door friend who would be equally unmindful about the history book
in front. We were competitively aligned. The night stood as an epitome of power
display turning into ashes. With the fall of night thousands of candles lit the
neighbouring houses. And then one sparkle followed the other.
We competed till we exhausted. Resourceful fueled the
celebration for rest of the evening. Each year new gimmicks added to the
glitter. The haves competed and have-nots kept an eye on the sky to get some
pleasure for free. The un-burnt sulphur (the chemical formulas may pose
challenge for me) that piled up in the inventory box after the festival of
light was over, waited for the evening of Bhai
Dhuj to be fired. The rift that would have brewed over the share of power
on the Diwali evening drowned in the fatty oil of mutton curry served as
special ‘Bhai-Phota’ lunch.
As the pages from the album moved today’s recipe was done.
Cook time was over, busy garnishing and wondering how better job and lifestyle opportunities
have pushed family and friends to explore the book of 34 pages – we called atlas.
The school bag had so many books that appeared disconnected then, over time
realized they all were wired for the big picture. Today I sit with the digital
pane open for global celebration to be clicked and posted. I watch it absolutely
FREE. The sparkles ushering around the world will fall on the window I hold on
very dear. On the face of it I know they will look so encouraging. But I can hardly
read what is in their mind. Is happiness as plenty as I see on the virtual play
boards?
These days I tend to be more mindful of social, political, public
and private space I share in my universe. Often consciously trying to be
unmindful as that is where life thrives basking in ignorance. Here is giving
away a pie of my conscious mind to free up space to dream once more to touch
the oyster of creation breaking the pains of real world.
Wishing you all a Happy Diwali!