Diwali Archives

Delhi Ki Sardi: Breathing in an Open-Air Kingdom of Poison

In Delhi, winter is now the time of difficult breathing. The throat itches, the eyes water, the nostrils hurt. A city that lends itself so well to the outdoors forces everyone to stay indoors with windows shut tight.

Priyansh July 25, 2016

POV

For My Mother, the Biggest Indian Festival of All Was Republic Day

The Republic Day Parade celebrates the Constitution, itself an expression of the spirit of our country and its diversity – of dances and songs, physical features, historical characters and incidents; the countless stories that make up this glorious republic.

Vijayta Mahendru July 24, 2016

Vice

Luck’s Not Always a Lady

Seduction is the enemy on a roulette table. And for fortune’s favour, you've got to make some brave choices.

Amit Bajaj July 21, 2016

DisArré

EXCLUSIVE: Firecracker Ban Ke Side Effects

We visit Delhi after SC's judgement that banned the sale of crackers and imposed a two hour time limit on bursting green crackers. Even the idea of clean air has sent everyone’s brain into toxic shock.

Arré Bench July 20, 2016

Gender

Even In Celebration, Women Are Expected To Do It All

The festive season is a lot of fun, except for the women of the house who must labour through chores that they have been led to believe is not just their duty, but also some sort of festive privilege.

Purba Ray July 9, 2016

POV

Smog Crisis: Delhi is Not Poisonous, Its People Are

Delhi gears up for winter like heroes in sci-fi films prepare to enter cities that have been struck by epidemics – with masks, but raring to go into battle. The Capital’s terrible air quality is due to a combination of reasons – but at this point, Dilliwalas, did you really need a cracker ban to stop yourselves from worsening it?

Manik Sharma June 29, 2016

POV

How Adulthood Changed the way I Look at the Festive Season

As I’ve grown older my perspective on celebrations and the festival season has changed to accommodate the anxieties of adulthood, at the expense of convention.

Jagruti Verma June 25, 2016

Animals

A Dog Experiences War. We Call it Diwali

We are under attack. Almost every minute a bomb goes off. From the window I can see children with guns and soldiers running around yelling code words at each other, “Happy Diwali! Happy Diwali!”

Arré Bench June 22, 2016

POV

That’s Me in the Corner: A Survival Guide for Introverts This Diwali

Truth be told, I have always been a bit of a goofball when it comes to social gatherings. Why can’t we, for instance, have a virtual Diwali party for introverts instead? So easy to mark attendance, send a colourful heart, and then log out.

Mugdha Singh June 17, 2016

Culture

The Diwali Shopathon: When Mothers Bargain Like Pros and Children Become their Personal Coolies

A Diwali preparation is incomplete without a trip to the old city market. In Mumbai, it’s Dadar; in Delhi, it’s Chawri Bazar. This is the time of the year, when every mother across the country trots out their bargaining A-game.

Nihal Bambulkar June 8, 2016