Twinkle Twinkle
Little Stars
Outside, lights twinkle sometimes
like a shy bride having a peep at her would be match from behind the curtains,
at other times in full glow as if competing with its sisters to catch the
attention of the would be groom without even the still of the breeze getting a
wind of the vivacious thrust of beauty for the intended on a day when it is all
about lights shining everywhere outside and inside, from rooftops and floors
lined up in intricate designs.
Mothers have their hands covered
in dough that taste as sweet when sticking to their weary palms as when ready
for the palate. They do not worry about the twinkling lights or the effect that
it can have on the streets or its vicinity when they are steeped in arranging
for exchange of sweets and satisfying the taste buds of family members, friends
and neighbours.
Kids are busy scrambling indoors
and out onto the streets showing off their wares stuffed into packets of fire
crackers that can perform in circles or shoot up to the sky ending in a
cracking thud. Not to be outdone friends compete in showing off their stock of
ammunition to welcome the festival of lights, some among them that resemble a
fountain of sparks akin to the big fountain that stands at the Town square,
others that explode when thrown against hard solid surfaces, still others that
sparkle when lit, with brightness that resembles the flow and vitality of life.
Little ones coyly hold on to the
end of a stick that sparkles left in their hands by their elders under watchful
supervision to help them have a participative feel in the festivities. The
timid ones stand afar while the older and more daring ones stick the end of a
flame to the wick of a cracker and run to a safe distance before it explodes.
The sound invariably as if on instinct, forces everyone young and old, newbies
and experienced to cap their ears smothering the sound of the exploding
crackers even while bringing a joy on the faces of the participants.
Fathers lead the charge and
supervise operations to ensure that the game is played by the rule and that
there is no scope for committing a foul which can end up in injuries to the
ones involved. They also run last minute errands to maintain the flow and
schedule of all branches of festivities and ensure its intended culmination in
joy.
The market place resembles a two
way divider- less street with no clear distinction between the shoppers and the
shop keepers. The hordes of people hurrying to catch up on last minute
purchases resemble a busy railway platform that has just seen an incoming
train. Traffic seems to sit pretty with no signs of a hurry with even
passengers and drivers silenced by the benevolence of the festival. Everyone
seems to be understanding of each other and the general chaos amidst the
increasingly swelling populace.
Worshippers install the idol of
the goddess of wealth and wait for a whiff of good fortune to exhibit through
them. The chanting of hymns and the clanging of cymbals are indicative of the pouring
out of hope from believers calling out to the almighty, with some trying to hasten
the goddess’s blessings by directing worship services to a crescendo believing
sub consciously that these extra efforts will put them in the front of the
queue when receiving their bounty.
Perched up on a high stool I
looked out onto the streets and smiled with satisfaction at the twinkling
lights, at the streets full of people, at the young scurrying feet, at moms
slogging away unmindful, even though it is an extension of their daily chores,
of heads of families standing proud and satisfied over their performance bonuses and their
organizing skills , at traffic which at other times would have snorted, huffed
and puffed venting out its frustration, at the people caught in the still
traffic not flying into a rage as on
other occasions, at the ever increasing number of believers waiting with folded
hands for the heavens to unfold. I also see the adventurous roll the dice for
an inkling of the impending times, after all this is festive season when the
lights shine on the present and rolls into the future.
As in the past this year too seems
a year of promises, a year of endless bounties, of immense possibilities
delivering to the persistently persevering, till its time next year to light a
new set of lights, knead more dough with renewed vigour, cater to an increasingly
and rapidly rising social network, increased decibels in fire crackers and growing
up from holding sparklers to tugging at the coat tails of elders eyeing a
greater role in the festivities, a time to reflect, a time to be thankful, a
time to count your blessings and a time for new resolutions.
---------------------------------------------------Happy
Diwali to all----------------------------------------------------------
22nd October 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment