The festivity....

"What are your plans for diwali?"...This question was repeated so many times in the past one week, by almost every one of us. Almost a rhetorical question for which we generally don’t expect an answer, or even if we do get one, we are least interested. Let me not put down this repeated question for in my own case, it has often aided to start a conversation, to divert attention from some undesirable topics or in some occasions, to stop a conversation.
Festivals are generally associated with certain standard things. And in the case of Diwali, it inevitably points to crackers, sweets, new clothes and of course the "ganga snanam", the early morning oil bath that leaves all those morn-haters ruffled badly. But then, subconsciously each of us conjure different pictures of any festival, images that are hardly associated with these material aspects.
Elaborating a bit on this, I think talking about Diwali would be apt. Diwali, in my opinion extends much beyond the usual festivities. It is the one day of the year when my entire family comes together. I had always taken this for granted but then looking around I came to see that this was really a rare happening. We've all become so mechanical, each engrossed in his/her individualism that we forget to come together. Now, when I say my family, it isn’t just the four of us (dad, mom, my sis and me). It includes my paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, my uncle, his wife, her parents and any of my relatives from abroad who happens to visit India during this time. And in this gathering I see more than just the coming together of people. It is more like the breaking down of mental barriers, over-coming of obstacles and unification of spirits. I don’t claim my family to be a perfect one. We all have different shortcomings. We've argued, fought, wound each other's heart and sometimes driven each other mad. But this festival provides an occasion for us to forget it all and those strings of family spirit and compassion keep us bound. The day usually begins with the ladies of our house-hold (not me!!) trying to wake the men and the kids (I come here) up. A really difficult task coz we'd have crashed only at around 2am after long chats. Once we are all up and awake (???), there is generally a round of coffee and then begins the 'nalangu'. It gets everybody into the festive spirits instantly. Nalangu basically includes the application of the nalangu, the oil in the hair and feeding the person with a banana! Most of us hate the oil and the banana part and so the proceedings get funnier every second. Then it is of course followed by the oil bath, new clothes etc. Then comes the bursting of crackers. My uncle (who came from London, where he is currently doing his intern, just for diwali) and Dad are usually the bravest and they test-fire most of those awfully loud stuff. After another round of chatting, it would be time for the family lunch. Another very interesting affair, in which the first 'pandhi' is served by the ladies and the second by the men. A really gregarious and hearty affair, aided by a sumptuous menu, after which most of us would be very drowsy. Then generally we pack up and come to our place, crash and then get ready for the evening dinner at our place where once again the entire family comes together.
Hence for me, diwali flashes an image of all the women-folk busy in the kitchen, the men chatting in the hall, us kids playing (now replaced by watching TV,really!) and the general sense of well-being. I see most festivals in the same eye, like Sri jayanthi involves the family bhajan with every one of us singing away to glory, Pongal, with its 'plate and spoon' orchestra etc. What matters again is that special touch given to each routine by a very special gift called family. And I thank God every single day for that driving force behind each day....My family!