Diwali 2020

Let this be a quick photo essay.

I am trying to keep up. Too much is going on.  I avoid facebook and just post pictures. Am active on twitter and will reduce that too. Trying to create another blog.  And since blogger has stopped letting us repost old ones, and we need to always create a new post, am contemplating either stopping or slowly this one down. I am so attached to it. I has my life of a decade here.  I like the little activity I get here. 

The blog is not publicised, but now I want to start doing things with my name on them...

The rangoli-- the floor art is all home made...used youtube videos for reference.  Used colors bought from IKEA and cake floor.  Red and yellow lamps are home made, and brown ones are bought from India and Fiji. 

Here are few other examples from this blog: Click below

One

Two

Three

Lord Ram, His Brother Lakshma and wife Sita returning after 14 years of exile. It was a new moon night, and so the lamps were lit...and we do it till this day!!

Just look at this beauty from India.  The temple was carved into from above...and it is this country that both Christians and muslims came to convert..imagine....

Goodness is What continues

 

People who are good remain good.  Continue to be good, no matter what.  One thing about Sweden I love is its inherent quality of belief in duty.  People are generally honest, and are innately content.  May be because of its harsh climate, may be because of its socialist mindset, but people believe in and support policies that somehow create equality.  State takes care of everything so not very many opportunities to volunteer.  But guess what? People have imbibed the values and volunteer and work without recognition. 

Found this man picking garbage on a regular, but not very used pathway that leads to a forest on one side and to a shopping area on the other. When I asked him if he belonged to any organisation, 'Nope, just retired and do this as I go for my morning walk.'

Made my day. Took a pic after I spoke with him and asked for permission. 

Then asked if I could share his name on my blog.

"Naaa, he said, the pic is fine.  Needed no recognition, was friendly enough to talk to you--and then...left a gift of a smile and a good deed.

See what I mean, about an inherent idea of a duty, and no need for recognition?!

Diwali Gratitude!!

First published on October 25, 2014--nearly 6 years later, here it is again.  Its today and like 2014 I got the date wrong. PS: The original title was Belated Diwali Gratitude, butt since Diwali is today...deleting 'Belated'.

These diyas (lamps) are home made.  Made out of wheat flour dough--special touch with vermillion powder used in prayers colour and turmeric.  A friend suggested to make them at home. I have some clay ones --from Fiji and India I think.  But these were a joy to make...

So here goes the original post.

While I've had years where i have not been able to celebrate it, there has never been  a year when I got the date for Diwali wrong.  But this year, I did and therefore did not do anything special that day except set up a shrine, after which I was too tired to do anything and offered my prayers the day after Diwali.  Unlike Botswana 7 hrs), the US (10-13 hrs) or Fiji (17 hrs), Sweden is only 3.5 hrs behind the US and therefore holidays fall on pretty much the same day.  My lovely niece in India sent me pictures of these Rangolis---which are floor art in India.  They can be made with coloured powder, coloured sawdust, spices, rice, rice paste, special colours made for Rangoli (called aplana and other names in different states), coloured tapioca, or flowers.  

It was a quiet Diwali, as I tried to ask friends to come over at the last minute but everyone was busy.  So I bought my middle eastern sweets, --we have no Indian store here and these sweets are sweet enough to be considered Indian.  I also bought Zaleba which in India is called Jalebi.  Until I came to Sweden, I did not know that it was actually a persian sweet, that we Indians have borrowed and made it our own.  And a fresh coconut,which we must have for all celebrations.  I played my bhajans (devotional songs), and had as merry a time as I could.  Deadlines looming, this was enough. 

And I came across this article on how so many people are not able to take time off to celebrate their holiday.  And this video--while its great, I think the fact that it was made by Pepsi, upsets me. Many Pepsi folks over work their staff.  Many Pepsi like companies are responsible for this wonder of stress in our lives.  I also remember how my Jewish students in the US would come sheepishly to me to let me know that they were taking a few days off to celebrate their holidays since there were no days off for any other but Christian holidays in the US.  I guess Fiji and India spoilt me. South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia and some other countries do give days off for all the religions represented in the country.  As it should be.  But the problem is not just the US, but Australia and NZ and even many Islamic countries that do not acknowledge the changing demographics.  

But these pictures of rangoli, sent by my niece, made me smile.  Due to my regular visits to India I have forged a relationship with these children who were barely 2-3 years old when I left or not yet on this planet.....that is something that only technology could not bring us.

This Diwali, I am grateful that I can afford tickets and time --mostly--to maintain some important relationships in my life.  

And this post goes to all my friends and family members...thanks for being my life.  With you my life is Diwali!! 

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Swedish Tradition

FIRST PUBLISHED ON FOURTH OF FEBRUARY 2013. Then on November 26, 2017, here it is again a s we are back in the season of cold and dark...

I had to publish this again today, since I just got in ---freezing rain, dark evening made me realise that I had not lit the big outdoor candle even once in November. Just too busy and come home too late.  As I put the lamp outside the house for the passers by, for those who have to be  outdoors in such a wretched weather, I knew I had to re-publish this.  

PS: And also because as always, even though I have much to say,I have not been able to write. 


Swedish Tradition



I have forced myself to go to Stockholm at least once a month. I should start exploring other cities, but I have a regular route in Stockholm that I know very well.  And a day trip is manageable from Karlstad.  So I leave as late as 8:30 am and am back as early as 9:30 pm. 

At the train station, there is this classy store called 'Design Torget' (pronounced Toriet)  You can look it up on the web.  Some very creative designers sell their products at Design Torget.  Just window shopping is an amazing experience.  Also, they have books sometimes.  And I have been eyeing this book  titled Swedish Traditions, for weeks now. I think my next visit to Stockholm, I will buy it.  

I am sure there are many traditions that do not get mentioned in that book.  Those simple things you learn by living in the country.  So, here is one that picked up upon my stay in Sverige.  If I were to move somewhere, where it is not as dark...I will be sorry to leave it.  In India, some people still keep the ritual of lighting a lamp and keeping it in the yard, or at small indoor shrine. 

Leaving Candles outside the door or by the street is an everyday affair through Swedish winters.  It both indicates that someone is home and warms all those who pass by the 'dwelling'!

Tiny Indoor lanterns!!

As the night falls, which is quite early in Swedish winters...you can see real lamps, not just electric lamps, but real oil lamps, outdoor candles in lanterns, or specifically designed candles on a stick that can be pushed into the ground or a planter outside homes.  Some people will keep bright lights all through the winter.  You can actually buy special lanterns that meant for the outdoors, either for the ground or to be hung on brittle branches of trees.  There are also candle stands, specifically made for the outdoors.  Often made of cast iron, they are sturdy.  The ones in the picture above are not meant for candles but a small outdoors fire.  I had a few friends over to celebrate Lohri (will write about it later).  And needed a mould where we could create a contained fire.  In India Lohri is celebrated with huge bonfires.  I could not afford that, so had to buy this container.  When I asked a friend, 'Hey I do not want to be spending money on things I will use only once'.  That's always my concern, since I am such a gypsy. 

He said, 'Not to worry, this is Sweden, you can easily afford a summer fire!!' And that is true, just because we have more and bright light does not translate into warm days. 

But since that day, nearly three weeks ago, I have been using it to keep a candle outside my door.  

The thing is that when you close your door, which you must in Swedish winters, you do not enjoy these candles or lights.  You often cannot see them.  And once lit, you forget about them, unless they are electric and you need to turn them off at some point.

So who are they for?  They are for those who pass by your house.  They indicate that someone lives in the building/house, apartment.  They also send a warmth to those who pass by your place. Imagine coming home after sundown, which in Sweden can be as early as 3 pm during winters.  And walking past these big flames, licking the cold, flirting with ice, and occasionally giving out a crackle of joy.  One after the other, you notice them.  And smile back.  

Because it does feel as if the owners of these places have left a smile for you, at their doors. 

Dhanteras: The Wealthy Thirteenth

Published first on Nov. 1, 2013--This year Dhanteras is on November 11.  Go buy some jewellery something metallic....it brings prosperity....

Today is Dhanteras, the wealthy thirteenth. When you buy something for your households.  I used to keep track of these holidays. In many ways still do.

These holidays were meant for a time when we did not go berserk with extra cash in our pockets. Those were the times when we had no extra cash.  

But these holidays were established days when you would buy a special instrument, gadget or piece of jewelry for yourself or the family, that otherwise you would not indulge in.  By keeping such days aside we allowed our minds to rest the rest of the year.    We knew we have allotted days for indulging. 

But today, my heart hurts, as I see crass commercialism, 24/7.

When I called home today and mom said, ‘Its dhanteras today’ memories came flooding back.  Our parents would be out and about this day, shopping for the house, visiting other relatives.  It was only two days before Diwali and much needed to done.

We kids would be home trying not to burn the house down with the crackers or not kill ourselves with overdose of homemade sweets.

I was lucky to spend my Diwali in India in 2009, and very lucky to have spent three Diwalis in Fiji.  

Today, for some reason, commercialization and mindless consumerism is hard to deal with. And yet, I think I will go to the grocery store and buy that steel ladle that I have needed for the last six months.

And I should really be happy that we have such days---when we force ourselves to add a little something to our lives--that makes them better.

Long live India, the land of holidays and festivals.  Each day comes with its attributes, each evening is a hope. 

Pictures that Point to Light

Very few followers I have.  I wonder if anyone missed  me?  I also wonder if I should continue with the blog?  Would like some comments. I have just finished a paper and realised how many unfinished projects I have. Its an emotional clutter.  May be because I try to do too much do not focus on one thing.  But I am a tormented soul.  So much wants to come out of me, my mind, my words, pictures and movies that it seems like it will all tear me up.  Should I just slow down?  In the last five years, I have more than 200 blogposts, created a youtube channel and have about 25 videos on it (about 8 were old), have about 22 newspaper articles, about 8 academic publications --travelled through 5-6 new countries, and through many before that I had travelled before, all of which has a story of its own...I could write books and papers on them.  But yet a feeling of not being accomplished plagues me.  I need to have certain focus.  I make no money from most of my activities.  Except work is work.  I need to focus. 

This post is from November 2014.   Brings light.  I need to think about light and direction.  Thanks for reading.  Comments welcome. 

Lisbon, Portugal, Jan 2014.  A kind of a nativity scene in the city.   

Bangkok, Thailand, 2012. 

New Delhi, 2009. 

A few pictures----that point us to the light...