Let there be light

Celebrating Diwali in the times of Corona can be more fun than you think

I bet that when the Covid 19 alarm bells began ringing around March, you did not think that the Coronavirus would still be keeping us housebound and away from our extended family as Diwali came around.

And yet, here we are!

Today is the day when, in normal times, we would be calling on friends and family with some mithai, perhaps a bottle of champagne, or maybe even a present or two to wish them ‘Happy Diwali’. But given the special circumstances this year, it’s only the most foolhardy – or dare I say it, foolish – among us who would dare socialize while there is a real and present danger that our actions could spread the virus even further. And given the air pollution that we are struggling with – and which, doctors say, makes fighting Covid even more difficult – it would be downright criminal to let off even a single firecracker.

So, how does one celebrate Diwali in the midst of a pandemic?

Well, here are just a few suggestions that I hope will help you get into the festive spirit.

•       Play dress up. This is the best part of Diwali for me. The opportunity to pull out a beautiful sari that has been sulking in my closet for years and allow it to sparkle and shine as it finally gets an airing. Did I hear you say that it would be pointless to make an effort with your appearance given that no one is watching? Well, silly, that’s why social media was invented. Post your pictures on Instagram, tagging all your friends, encourage them to do the same, and form a mutual admiration society that will give all the validation you need – and more.

•       Yes, I know, we are pretty much Zoomed out from those endless work calls and webinars, not to mention online classes. But this is the one time that getting all your family and friends together on a video call would actually be fun. You can check out the decorations in each other’s homes, you can tell your cousin how cute her baby daughter looks in a ghaghra choli, you can even share a Diwali meal, even if all of you are eating it at your respective dining tables miles apart.

•       I have never been much for card games, but I get that for some people Diwali is incomplete without a few hours of teen patti. Well, the good news is that you can play online as well, getting all your usual card partners into a virtual room, where you try your luck against each other. Just don’t play for very high stakes, because it’s not nice to clean anyone out on Diwali. And remember in case you lose, you mustn’t be disheartened. Those who are unlucky with cards are believed to be very lucky in love!

•       Keep up with your family Diwali traditions, even if you might have to modify them a bit this year. For some reason, my mother always made an immense pot of mattar pulao for Diwali dinner, and this year I will remember her as I recreate that dish from memory. I won’t be inviting all my neighbors over to dig in – as she would – because, you know, Covid. But just eating it in her memory will be enough. And, of course, like her I will do a special puja for Lakshmi Mata, praying that she blesses us with peace and prosperity, chanting the same words of the aarti that she knew by heart, and I have to read off a book.

•       I know that your home is probably heaving with packets of mithai, dry fruit and hampers full of goodies dropped off by friends, family and neighbors. But just because your dining table is drowning in kaju barfi, macaroons and besan laddoos, there is no reason why you must eat it all. Spread the joy by distributing it to your staff and those who work in your building.  Carry some in your car and drive to the
nearest intersection where there are kids begging for food. Watching their faces light up will light up your Diwali as well.