Diwali 2022 - Kaimahi Stories
Diwali draws near and is celebrated on Monday 24 October this year. We have asked Operations Manager, Supriya Maharaj, Training Manager, Anushka Ananth, and Intern Psychologist Sunaina Roy to share their thoughts about the festival. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and symbolises light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
How do you celebrate Diwali?
Supriya: Eating myself into a near-coma, listening to my dad’s lectures, eating more, prayers with the family, eating again and fireworks. And probably eating again.
Anushka: Our celebrations start the week of Diwali and include a spring clean of the house and making savouries and sweets that will be served on Diwali day with families and friends. Diwali is the festival of lights, so we also decorate the house with bright and colourful lights. The day before Diwali, we get together as a whānau to acknowledge those who have passed and our ancestors. On Diwali day, we light candles around our house, pray, and have a huge feast together as a family. Throughout the day we have friends and family over, or we would visit others’ homes sharing sweets we made, food, and exchanging gifts.
Sunaina: I celebrate Diwali with my family. It is a time for family gathering, sharing, and eating delicious food cooked by my parents (lots of sweets including jalebis and barfis) and, wearing new clothes or ethnic wear. It is a time for us as a family to reflect over all the blessings upon our life and feel grateful. My parents light up the entire house with "diyas" (little clay pot lamps) as well as fairy lights and the front door is decorated with Rangoli (artwork with coloured powder or dyed white rice). We also thoroughly clean out the entire place and get rid of all unnecessary things, donating them to those that are in need.
What does Diwali mean to you?
Supriya: Weeks of doing things like prepping special food, deep cleaning the house, getting told off for not cleaning enough, etc. My family are Brahman which are the priestly caste, so in our family Diwali is all about prayers and learning the spiritual significance of it all.
Anushka: Traditionally, Diwali (or Deepavali as my family calls it) celebrates the triumph of light and good. For me, it’s about whānau, which extends wider than just my immediate family. It’s also about the gratitude felt when families come together and share sweets and food that’s taken days to prepare. The excitement and joy that comes with a common celebration of good, lights, bright colours, and music is also something that sticks with me.
Sunaina: Diwali is a time to celebrate family and to reflect on and be grateful for all the blessings upon one’s life. As a family, we believe in doing acts of kindness during this time: delivering food, offering help, smiling at strangers, giving way to another car while in traffic, etc. We reflect on the quote "There is light at the end of every tunnel". The mythological basis of Diwali is based around Lord Ram and his wife Sita, who returned after 14 years of exile, upon which, their loved ones lit up the entire town with diyas to celebrate their success and perseverance through every ordeal. Sita was kidnapped by a demon, who Ram was finally able to defeat after facing multiple challenges that came his way. During Diwali, I reflect on the work that I do, and remind myself that on days when my clients feel hopeless, I can be a carrier of hope for them.
What's your favourite thing about Diwali?
Supriya: The unity among different religions and subcultures in the Indian community. Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, however it brings people together regardless of their religious affiliation. I love how Diwali is still the most special day of the year among Indian communities around the world, particularly in regions where indentured labourers were sent. The celebrations remained a beacon of light during some very dark times in our history and is also a day for those outside of India to feel a sense of pride and belonging.
Anushka: The huge feast we have together as a family! Sometimes it’s one of the only times we get to eat some traditional meals.
Sunaina: Family time and food cooked by my mum - which includes puris (deep fried Indian bread), paneer (cottage cheese in spices and peas), dahl (lentil curry), pulao (vegetarian fried rice in Indian spices) and so on!
Has your relationship to or perspective of Diwali changed over the years?
Supriya: Since having a child and being many generations away from India, I have been reflecting more on what cultural celebrations will mean in my own little family, and how can I use opportunities like this to strengthen the connection my children have to their whakapapa. For me it is less about religion and more about pride in my Indian ancestry.
Ansuhka: As I get older I’m just more appreciative of all the preparation that goes on behind the scenes as there is lots of kōrero and sharing of memories and knowledge that is passed down from my elders as we are making the sweets together that I hold onto more now that I am older.
Sunaina: When my sister and I were little, we looked forward to the food, clothes, and fireworks! However, over the years my understanding and view has changed. Different parts of India celebrate Diwali in different ways, however, the story about Ram is what I resonate with most as it reminds me of values and principles that are important to me.
