As a child, I always knew Diwali was approaching when the annual Cadbury commercials made their way onto our television with the slogan: “Kuch accha ho jaaye, kuch meetha ho jaaye” (“Lets celebrate good things with something sweet”). I remember those ads so fondly because they encapsulated the spirit of Diwali so well– tradition, joy, and a sense of community.
“Diwali, or Deepavali, the festival of lights, symbolises the triumph of “good over evil” and dates back to more than 2000 years”
It is important to understand the history of Diwali in order to understand why Indians celebrate it with such fervour. Diwali, or Deepavali, the festival of lights, symbolises the triumph of “good over evil” and dates back to more than 2000 years. In North India, it commemorates the return of Lord Rama with his wife, Sita. According to the mythology Ramayana, Lord Rama saved Sita from the demon king, Ravan. The People of Ayodhya (a town in India) illuminated their city with lights, representing hope and welcoming the victors back home. In South India, it celebrates Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, who rescued women from an evil king. There are many variations to the mythology, but the purpose of celebrating this occasion remains the same. It celebrates bravery, acceptance, positivity, and change. Additionally, Diwali marks the Hindu New Year, during which homes are adorned with lights and doors are left open to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. The legend suggests that she represents luck and brings positivity into households.
It is truly beautiful to see the enthusiasm with which Indians celebrate Diwali. I remember boxes of “mithai” (sweets) lying around the house. My entire family and I would visit all our relatives to gift them those Mithais. Little me would always be so tempted to open them, but was never allowed to! Now that I am in Dublin, I miss doing such things. There is one Diwali tradition, however, that has crept its way to Dublin. It’s a game of cards! Indian families usually sit in a circle and play cards, share jokes, and catch up. So if you ever get invited to a Diwali Party, do not miss the opportunity to eat some great food and see some Indians get super aggressive over a game of cards! I must warn you that we take these card games very seriously. In fact, it’s these tiny gestures and traditions that have made me appreciate Diwali even more.
As an international student, I do not have the luxury to travel home for Diwali, but I try to make it as homely as possible here. In my first year, I attended the Diwali party hosted by the Trinity Indian Society. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people from different ethnicities imbibing the tradition of Diwali with their Indian friends. I have grown to appreciate the enthusiasm with which Trinity students embrace different festivals at college. From different cultural societies to events at the Global Room, Trinity is always buzzing with some form of festivity.
Diwali in Dublin definitely feels different but still reminds me of home, my culture, and my identity. Yes, this festival plays quite an important role in shaping who I am and the person I am becoming. My family is Bengali, hailing from Eastern India, where Goddess Kali is revered. Maa Kali is considered a fierce, strong, confident, and intelligent goddess who depicts the destructive yet benevolent aspect of nature. She is known to destroy evil while protecting her loved ones. My perspective of Maa Kali has evolved over time; from seeking her protection from “ghosts” as a child to wanting to be more like her as an adult. As I grew older, I realised that she also represented the concept of “brown beauty”. She is often depicted as having a “soothing dark complexion”, long luscious hair, and beautiful eyes. In a world where western standards of beauty felt like the only acceptable norm, she was a stunning and powerful reminder of beauty that felt familiar to me; this is essential given that we live in an era where social media consumes us and aids comparison in being the thief of joy. We attempt to reassure ourselves and others that we are fine just the way we are, yet we still find ourselves searching online for “exercises to enhance [our] jawline”. We hide authenticity behind the veil of “aesthetic” and catch ourselves thinking multiple times a day: “I could never pull off what they’re wearing.”
“… the urge to conform, especially when the place and people are unfamiliar, always overthrows the urge to be distinctive. Diwali, for me, is just a friendly reminder of who I am and where I come from”
It wasn’t until I came to Dublin that I began to develop insecurities and compare myself to others. I was conscious of my features, my body, and even my accent. Being abroad is extremely exciting yet peculiar. There are times when it all feels too intimidating, isolating, and frustrating, especially for a 19-year-old. College is when one likes to stand out and be different. Ironically enough, the urge to conform, especially when the place and people are unfamiliar, always overthrows the urge to be distinctive. Diwali, for me, is just a friendly reminder of who I am and where I come from. It reaffirms the significance of embracing my cultural identity while also valuing the world around me. As cliché as it may seem, every year, Diwali and Kali remind me to reflect, grow, and appreciate what I have.
“As a brown girl, this festival has given me so much more than just a tradition to hold onto or a community to fall back on. It has instilled in me a sense of identity that has shaped who I am and helped me maintain that identity, even when it felt easier to conform to the norm”
As a brown girl, this festival has given me so much more than just a tradition to hold onto or a community to fall back on. It has instilled in me a sense of identity that has shaped who I am and helped me maintain that identity, even when it felt easier to conform to the norm. It allowed me to express my Indian roots while also adapting to college life in a whole new country that was so culturally different from mine. This time also gets particularly difficult, managing assignments, extracurricular activities, and the social aspects of college simultaneously. This festival is a reminder that everything gets easier with time. Diwali represents light at the end of the tunnel. I realise how funny life is as I write this article. 10-year-old me could never have imagined how Diwali could influence and represent so much of who I truly am today.
