Reflecting The South-Asian Lifestyle
COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Festive Recipes
Your
Che f Shipra
Khanna
Diwali Part y Checklist!
Diwali
Gift
Giv ing
Diwali
2014
DIWALI EXCLUSIVE
Ravishing
Raveena
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May you live your life like the festival of Diwali, DIWALI 2014and Wealthy! Happy, Healthy
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Diwali shubh bachat khoob
Publishers: Gurvinder Singh Hundal Ramneek Singh Dhillon
Contributing Writers: Aman Grewal Saira Hayre Jorge Ignacio Castillo Garima Goswami Tarana Rana Kavita Shyam Graphic Design: Vinay Giridhar
Diwali2014 Contents
06
Exclusive- Ravishing Raveena Tandon
18
What Diwali Means to You
24
Chef Shipra Khanna’s Diwali Recipes
30
Reflections – Diwali Gift Giving
38
Feature – Great Hindu Temples of Asia-Pacific
51
Feature – Many Festivals of a Joyous Diwali
59
Diwali Crafts – Collage Greeting Cards
60
Kid’s Corner – Colouring Contest!
63
Feature – Your Diwali Party Checklist
69
Décor – Decorating for Diwali
74
Diwali Greetings from World Leaders and Bollywood Celebs
77
Style – Dress Like a Diva
82
Beauty – Cast a Spell
88
Box Office – The Battle For Diwali Supremacy!
94
Tech – Best Apps For Diwali
4 DIWALI 2014
Photography: A Master Media, Amrit Photography Distribution: Harman Hundal Advertising & Sales: Gurvinder Singh Hundal Ramneek Singh Dhillon Junita Thakorlal Darpan Magazine is Published By: Darpan Publication Ltd.
Darpan Magazine is published once every two months. Any Reproduction of this magazine, editorial content, images or advertisement cannot be reproduced or reprinted in any form, without prior written permission of the publisher. The Views expressed by the writers in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright 2012 Darpan Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. Publications sales agreement no. 4116014. POSTMASTER IF UNDELIVERABLE PLEASE RETURN TO:
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DIWALI EXCLUSIVE
Ravishing
Raveena By Kavita Shyam
In an exclusive with DARPAN, Raveena Tandon shares her festive plans for Diwali, what this auspicious holiday means to her, and much more!
S
he is what stars are made of. Yes, Raveena Tandon Thadani is a charmer! A doting mother of two kids, diligent wife, social worker, successful actress, national award winner and now a television host with show called Simply Baatein. Assertive, soft interior behind her tough personality, confident and a thorough professional are a few words which best describe this woman. This faultless beauty has been there and done it all with much finesse. Its Diwali time and who better than this Punjabi kudi to throw light on her thoughts about the festival of lights!
6 DIWALI 2014
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DIWALI EXCLUSIVE
The best part of the festival is the festive ambience. There is a nip in the air, every road and each house is lit up and decorated gorgeously. Gifting, greeting and happy smiles everywhere! I simply love it! Raveena, how do you celebrate the much loved festival Diwali? Well, I celebrate Diwali the traditional way. Since childhood it’s been spending time and having fun with family and friends on the festival. Having a Lakshmi Puja at home, go to close friends place to gifting and fireworks. I like to only play with Phuljhadi and chakri instead of the endless, thousands of strings of diwali bombs. I prefer to have it noiseless and pollution free as possible. My kids and I go to an orphanage and I have taught my kids to spend all the money that they get during Diwali from the elders to donate to the children at varied orphanages. This way we celebrate the festival by being responsible and being together with all our loved ones.
What does the word Diwali mean to you? Diwali is associated with puja on the Diwali evening, inviting friends over, visiting our relatives from both the sides mine and Anil’s. And thereafter all of us get together at common place for the dinner until late. It means to have your loved ones around you DIWALI 2014 the festival of lights! celebrating 8while
May you live your life like the festival of Diwali, Happy, Healthy and Wealthy! A Very Happy Diwali!!
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DIWALI EXCLUSIVE
PHOTO: Raveena Tandon, Dipti Amisha Jewellery, Oro Platinum Bangles
My television show has been really well accepted by people. Someone from the ministry complimented me on the show. It is not a serious show, but very inspiring and with a message. It is about the victims and how they overcome issues. Yes I had to do my homework, as I need to be responsible of what I am saying or presenting on screen. I need to know who and what we are dealing with!
What are you planning for Diwali this year? There will be [a] home Puja like every year, visiting an orphanage and spending time with the kith n kin.
What has been your most memorable Diwali so far? There are plenty of good memories associated with Diwali. The festival almost always falls around my birthday every year. So it means double gifts for me each year. The best Diwali was when I got engaged, because my birthday was on 26 October and Diwali was on 25th, and that’s when I had got engaged as well. Anil had thrown
10 DIWALI 2014
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DIWALI EXCLUSIVE an impromptu party and it was the best surprise or celebration.
Are you associated with any social work or charitable organization during Diwali? We visit various orphanages across Mumbai during Diwali. This has been a ritual since childhood. We spend time with the kids at the orphanage and give them the money that we get as kharchi from the elders. And from my mother putting this habit in me to now my kids following it, it’s a much-looked forward to practice.
Tell us a good and a not-so-good thing about Diwali, according to you.
I love Indian sweets and relish them during the festival. I also love the gujrati snacks like khakra, dhokla etc which are less oily or not deep fried.
The best part of the festival is the festive ambience. There is a nip in the air, every road and each house is lit up and decorated gorgeously. Gifting, greeting and happy smiles everywhere! I simply love it! There is immense romance in the air. And to top it all are the innumerable parties I get to attend. It is eleven days of celebration from Dusshera leading upto the final day of the festival Diwali. The not-so-good part would be the unnecessary expenditure [on] firecrackers resulting in pollution and disturbing people’s sleep. The show off on the massive fireworks is uncalled for and means simply blowing up your money in the air. Instead just buy school books or feed the needy kids. After all the spirit of Diwali is giving!
What is your favorite Diwali food or snack? I love Indian sweets and relish them during the festival. I also love the gujrati snacks like
12 DIWALI 2014
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DIWALI EXCLUSIVE There are plenty of good memories associated with Diwali. The festival almost always falls around my birthday every year. So it means double gifts for me each year. The best Diwali was when I got engaged, because my birthday was on 26 October and Diwali was on 25th, and that’s when I had got engaged as well.
khakra, dhokla etc which are less oily or not deep fried. I make gulab jamuns for my family during diwali, they are easy to make and the family loves it too.
Diwali is also a time for fashion, what is Diwali dressing for you? I almost always end up wearing red for Diwali and Karwa Chauth, it’s like a trademark hue for me. I like wearing traditional attires during diwali, but I avoid wearing a sari because it is difficult to move around with fireworks all around and to having to manage the kids alongside in the clothing. I prefer to wear salwar kameez or anarkalis for Diwali.
Diwali card parties have become a huge rage over the last few years, are you party to it as well? 14 DIWALI 2014
I am not much into cards. I go for a lot of parties though. We just play with the youngsters for shagun with little money for a bit, just to kick-off the festive mood. I enjoy the food at the card parties besides catching up with people and having a memorable time.
Tell us about your new show on television. Did you have to do any homework for it? Also, which movies are you currently working on? My television show has been really well accepted by people. Someone from the ministry complimented me on the show. It is not a serious show, but very inspiring and with a message. It is about the victims and how they overcome issues. Yes I had to do my homework, as I need to be responsible of what I am saying or presenting on screen. I need to know who and what we are dealing with! Onir’s film Shab is shaping up well, I just completed a schedule and we have the next in January. I am doing a friendly appearance in Bombay Velvet.
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How do you balance work and personal life? I have been around, doing friendly appearances in movies. I did Telugu films too. Recently I was offered a very powerful role in a Kanad film which I had to let go of due to lack of time. Yes, I need to balance out time between work and kids. Thankfully, my in-laws are a huge support with the kids as we stay with my parents-in-law. Also my parents come around often. I cannot take up
16 DIWALI 2014
too much work as the kids need to be helped with their exams so I have to chalk out my schedule keeping everything in mind.
You are glowing and looking extremely fit for a mother of two. How do you do it? Thank you. But I have not been to the gym in 3 months. But I try to work out whenever I can and train for two hours when I do. I also watch what I eat, keeping a tab on your diet helps tremendously.
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What Diwali Means to YOU? Compiled by Garima Goswami
Diwali is a time to celebrate a number of things, from family and friends to good triumphing over evil. It is a blessed festival with peace, harmony and enlightenment at its core. Growing up in Canada or abroad, each of us has a different experience and set of memories of this revered festival. We are happy to share the following Diwali memories with you. Wishing you all a Happy Diwali, may you and your family be blessed with happiness, health and prosperity!
Premier Christy Clark “I want to extend my best wishes to everyone celebrating Diwali – the Festival of Lights. Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over dark, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. It brings us together to celebrate the values that connect all of us – hope, friendship and goodwill. Diwali reminds us that our rich, multicultural society is our competitive advantage. Our diversity is the key to creating strong and vibrant communities and is vital to securing British Columbia’s economic future. When we live, work and celebrate together with mutual respect and harmony, there is nothing we cannot achieve. I encourage British Columbians of all faiths to come together to experience the rich culture of our province’s South Asian communities by taking part in one of the many vibrant Diwali festivities in your community. I wish all British Columbians a happy Diwali!”
18 DIWALI 2014
Leena Manro
Diwali means peace, joy, family and love to me. Diwali is also known as the “festival of lights.” My family and I try to remember that along with the lights in the home and the burning diyas, the real “lights” of Diwali exist within us. And so we should focus on that light within us. The festival is a great time to remember to let your own inner light shine brightly and get away from the darkness. (And eat lots of Indian sweets!) I wish everyone a safe and happy Diwali!
Vicki Gill
Diwali is one of my favourite festivals and my family participates in it. I was brought up in Canada and while growing up my parents always ensured that we celebrate the festival with lots of lights and food. Now as adults, we have kept that tradition going with our families. The festival teaches us to look at light and get away from darkness. My family gets together and we celebrate Diwali as we did while growing up. We light up diyas and cook some special recipes on the day. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous Diwali!
Radha Sarn
I love the festive mood in the air every autumn during Diwali. It’s my favorite time of year and a great excuse to spend more time with my family. For me, Diwali is a holiday of joy; it’s the time when we gather with loved ones, celebrate our family, friends and the prosperity God has bestowed upon us. Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, of righteousness over treachery, of truth over falsehood, of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. My family has a few traditions that make Diwali that much more special to us. We decorate our home with candles, let off fireworks and my son loves sparklers. All the lights of Diwali symbolize the personal relationship between God and our family. In the joyous mood of the season I love to pray with my family weather that be at the temple or in the comfort of our lovely home. My heart is full of love and joy at this time each year!
20 DIWALI 2014
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Avneet Gill-Dhaliwal Diwali: the festival of lights. It is a joyous time of year when houses, shops, and schools are decorated with oil lamps called diyas. It is a very important time of year for Hindus and Sikhs alike. Being a Sikh, I was taught by my mother and Bebeji that Diwali celebrations are very special. This important day celebrates the release from prison of our sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji and 52 other Raja prisoners. In these celebrations, families spend time together either cooking a feast or simply exchanging sweets. Children prepare for this day by purchasing fireworks and meeting with their friends to light them up. This day is filled with so much excitement and joy that no one can resist taking part. I will be going to the Gurdwara again this year to light a diya and pray for a prosperous and healthy new year for all of my loved ones. Happy Diwali to Everyone!
Harold & Margareta Felhauer We were delighted to have experienced TOIFA firsthand and be part of the richness and culture of the South Asian community. As a result, we were welcomed with open arms on a personal and business level, and were overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of this community. We now celebrate Diwali in our office with our staff and clients. Our Bollywood clients share a common bond with the people here, and that is the celebration of Diwali and what it stands for family, community, unity, and goodness. On behalf of everyone at Harold’s Custom Equipment Rentals, from our family to yours, wishing you a very happy and prosperous Diwali!
Sid Sidhu
22 DIWALI 2014
I spent most of early days growing up in India, so Diwali has always been a big day for me and my family. It will always resemble to the good old stories of freedom, and victory of good over evil. Diwali celebrations for me are incomplete without some sweets, good family time and how can I forget the firecrackers. I wish everyone a safe and prosperous Diwali! Enjoy the festival and delicacies with your friends and family.
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Diwali Recipes By
Chef Shipra Khanna
C
hef Shipra Khanna’s culinary journey may not have been a conventional one, but it certainly is inspiring. Locked in a custody battle for her children and facing dowry abuse from her estranged husband, Khanna turned to cooking for solace. Landing on the popular reality cooking show, Masterchef India, Khanna stunned the judges and eventually won the coveted title. Her win also made her a symbol of hope for other downtrodden women trapped in a hostile home environment. Since her win, Chef Khanna has opened her own restaurant H.O.T – House of Taste – in Ahmedabad and authored a cookbook called The Spice Route.
The season two winner of MasterChef India, Chef Shipra Khanna shares some delightful Diwali recipes with DARPAN readers
Yam Cutlets
with Spicy Tomato Chutney A delectable, easy-to-make appetizer Ingredients
24 DIWALI 2014
• • • •
1cup yam (boiled and mashed) 1 onion chopped 1tbsp fresh coriander chopped Salt and pepper to taste
For the chutney • • • • •
2 tomatoes (roasted on open fire and skin peeled) 3-4 cloves garlic crushed 2 whole red chillies Salt to taste 1tsp red chilly powder
D iwali
Recipes
Preparation 1.
In a bowl mix everything together, till everything is well combined.
2.
Heat oil in a wok.
3.
Deep fry till golden brown and crisp.
For the chutney: 1.
Take the pulp of the tomatoes
2.
Add salt, chilly powder.
3.
In another pan, roast garlic and whole red chilly and add to the tomatoes.
4.
Mix well and serve with yam cutlets.
Premier Christy Clark and Today’s BC Liberals wish you a
Happy Diwali
ChristyClarkforBC
ChristyClarkBC
bcliberals.com DIWALI 2014 25
D iwali
By Chef Shipra Khanna
Recipes
Spinach & Cheese QuenelleS
PHOTO: Shipra Khanna, DARPAN Archives
A fun, sophisticated twist on the age old palak paneer
Ingredients for 2-3 servings
Preparation
Quenelles
To prepare Quenelles:
• • • • •
1.
Bring the milk to a boil in a pan on high heat. When it boils squeeze in the lemon juice and keep stirring, till the milk splits completely.
2.
Drain through a strainer lined with muslin cloth. Set aside for 15 minutes for the cheese to be well drained.
3.
Blend the cheese till it is smooth.
4.
Add the egg and cream and blend again, till smooth.
5.
Mix in the salt and shape into quenelles (see Tips).
6.
Steam the quenelles for 4-5 minutes.
7.
Drain and keep warm.
1 litre milk Juice of 1 lemon 1 egg 2 tbsp cream ½ tsp salt
Gravy • • • • •
100 gms spinach, chopped and blanched 1 tbsp butter 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tsp salt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
26 DIWALI 2014
Tips on how to shape the perfect Quenelle:
To prepare gravy: 1.
Blanch the spinach in plenty of boiling salted water for 30 seconds. Drain and refresh in cold water. Drain again and set aside.
2.
Melt the butter in a pan on moderate heat. Sauté the garlic, till fragrant.
3.
Add the spinach to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
4.
Remove and purée to a smooth paste in a blender. The purée should have the consistency of a semi-thick sauce.
To Serve: 1.
Spoon the spinach on to a serving dish.
2.
Arrange the cheese quenelles on top and serve hot.
Ø Use two spoons of the same size. With a spoon in each hand, scoop a generous amount of the paneer. Gently press the curve of the second spoon against the first, scooping the contents from it into the second spoon. Ø Transfer the quenelle back to the first spoon in the same manner. This creates a smooth, rounded surface. Keep scooping back and forth till you have a smooth oval shape. Ø You’ll need to work fast as the heat in your kitchen will affect the shape of the quenelle. Ø Depending on what you’re shaping, it may help to dip the spoons in warm water between each scoop. Ø Quenelles should ideally be made immediately before serving, but if you’re careful they may hold their shape for a short while either in the refrigerator or the freezer (depending on the ingredient).
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DIWALI 2014 27
SWEET SHOP & RESTAURANT
TIRAMISU Want to try something different this Diwali? You can’t go wrong with this classic coffee-flavored dessert!
Choco Mint Brownies Delicious, gooey brownies no child – or adult – can resist!
Ingredients
Ingredients
• •
• • • • • • •
• • • •
1cup whipped cream 2 tbsp coffee powder (dilute in 1tbsp water) 6 slices vanilla sponge Few drops of coffee essence 2 tbsp cocoa powder Chocolate shavings for garnish
Preparation 1.
Add dissolved 1 tbsp of coffee mix, coffee essence in whipped cream. Add cocoa powder and mix well.
2.
Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.
3.
Dip vanilla sponge in coffee mix.
4.
In a glass layer, sponge then with whipped cream. Repeat the layer. Dust with cocoa powder on top.
5.
Chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.
28 DIWALI 2014
1 cup cooking chocolate 150 grams butter ½ cup cocoa powder 1 cup castor sugar 1/4 cup flour ½ cup milk Few drops of mint
Preparation 1.
Preheat oven at 180 degrees.
2.
In a bowl, cream butter and sugar.
3.
Melt chocolate in the microwave or by double boiler method and add to the above mixture.
4.
To this mixture, add flour, cocoa powder alternately add milk and fold in the batter.
5.
Add mint and fold in
6.
Line a baking tin with butter paper and pour in the batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes or till done. Serve warm
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DIWALI REFLECTIONS By Saira Hayre
Diwali
t f i G g n i v i G
Is commercialism ruining the essence of this treasured tradition?
C
onsidered to be one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals of the year, Diwali is celebrated as a day of triumph and victory as it commemorates the return of Lord Ram, a God incarnate, to his hometown of Ayodhya along with his wife and brother after 14 years of exile. According to popular legend, Lord Ram had very heroically killed the evil demon king Ravan shortly before coming back to his kingdom, and to express their happiness at his return, his subjects lit little clay pots called diyas all over the city. This tradition - which begun centuries ago, continues up to this day - and is accompanied by the worshipping of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, as well as the distribution of sweets and gifts. “When you light up diyas all around, you are spreading light in the atmosphere, and
30 DIWALI 2014
everyone gets that light. Diwali is a happy time…it’s a beautiful festival symbolic of happiness, joy, and light,” explains Ritu Dhawan, a homemaker, who was born and brought up in India. Dhawan, who currently resides in Delta, adds that although she looks forward to celebrating the occasion with great enthusiasm every year, she genuinely feels that commercialism has significantly changed the cherished gift giving tradition of the festival. “Earlier I remember people used to give very small things, and now it is gold and silver gifts, and branded things. Also, very expensive cut glasses, cutlery, crystal stuff and dry fruit. I remember a time in India, when people couldn’t afford dry fruit and it was expensive so you couldn’t give it to everyone, so [people would give] very simple Mathai [sweets], and that also
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*Offer available until November 3, 2014, to residential customers who have not subscribed to Optik TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative. TELUS reserves the right to modify channel lineups and packaging, and regular pricing without notice. Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer not available with TELUS Internet 6. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. A retail value of $689, based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, plus a 2 year extended warranty, provincial government eco fees and shipping. Cancellation fee will be $19 multiplied by the number of months remaining in the service agreement, plus applicable taxes. TELUS reserves the right to substitute an equivalent or better product without notice. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV, the future is friendly and telus.com are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. Samsung and the Samsung logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Canada. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2014 TELUS.
DIWALI 2014 31
DIWALI REFLECTIONS
“Everyone is trying to please Lakshmi but people don’t realize that money doesn’t give or bring the happiness, and what matters is how you use it. I wish people would just go and feed the homeless that day and I think that [this gesture] would please the goddess much more,” opines Dhawan made at home,” says Dhawan. She adds that commercialism is seeping into the festival to such an extent that she feels that many devotees are actually losing touch with the true meaning of the festival and also putting unneeded pressure on those individuals who cannot afford to spend so lavishly on gifts. “Everyone is trying to please Lakshmi but people don’t realize that money doesn’t give or bring the happiness, and what matters is how you use it. I wish people would just go and feed the homeless that day and I think that [this gesture] would please the goddess much more,” opines Dhawan, adding that if individuals do choose to distribute gifts, they should give them simply out of love, as was the case in the past. Poonam Arora, former owner of Delta based store Little India, shares Dhawan’s views on Diwali gift giving and agrees that gift exchanges were done with more love and feeling in the past. Arora, who also grew up in India, explains that in the present age, gift giving seems to have become more of a social norm. “Back in ancient times, there was more of a feeling of love and affection [attached to gift-giving]. Today the feeling is there,
32 DIWALI 2014
but I think it’s sort of become more like a mandatory thing, like it has to be done,” explains Arora. She adds that because many members of the South Asian community have become extremely health conscious, they are refraining from making and eating homemade sweets, as was the tradition in the past. “Before there was no such things as diabetes and [sweets were] made with pure butter in the house. Mathai was made at home and in really, really ancient times, I’m talking when livelihood was only farming, people were exchanging their farm produce as gifts during Diwali.” To rekindle that old spirit with which gifts were given, Dhawan suggests that for this year’s Diwali gift exchange, individuals can try distributing gift baskets.
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DIWALI REFLCTIONS
The value of a gift is not necessarily determined by its price tag. For example, gifting a colourful and personalized homemade card might just bring more happiness to someone than an expensive decoration piece. Stay within budget
When you have to buy presents for more than one person, it’s not always possible or wise to spend extravagantly on every gift.
Know the tastes/preferences of the gift receiver “These days there are very beautiful baskets being made in the market which will have an assortment of Mathai and some juices and salty snacks,” she says. “ But then what I also do is make the baskets myself. I put a lot of different stuff in them so that all the kids can enjoy them as well. [Kids] love to open up a gift basket which has popcorn, cookies and sweets, and of course diyas…so I love doing this and I feel that it somehow shows that I am excited because I am making it myself.” Dhawan adds that if a devotee arranges the gift basket by themselves, they are able to not only personalize the gift, but also show their creativity.
When looking for a Diwali gift, it’s a good idea to keep the following things in mind: 34 DIWALI 2014
It’s a good idea to know the likes and dislikes of individual. For example, you don’t want to give sweets/chocolate to someone who is diabetic.
Keep it simple and heartfelt
The value of a gift is not necessarily determined by its price tag. For example, gifting a colourful and personalized homemade card might just bring more happiness to someone than an expensive decoration piece.
Simple Gift Ideas
Pre-made gift baskets – they can be found at many South Asian restaurants in Surrey.
Homemade Cards
Buy glitter, felt pens, and any other supplies from the Dollar Store and make cards for your family and friends. Inside each of them, paste images related to Diwali, and include a personalized note.
DIWALI 2014 35
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Dhawan adds that if a devotee arranges the gift basket by themselves, they are able to not only personalize the gift, but also show their creativity.
Diyas/Candles
Diyas are one of the main items related to Diwali, so it’s a great idea to find colourfully decorated diyas and gift them to your friends. These can be found at any South Asian grocery store.
the receiver a chance to nurture and care for the gift year-round. Beautiful, affordable plants can be found at the Home Depot.
A colourful plant
Diwali symbolizes a wish to prosper and grow so it’s a great idea to buy colourful plants for family and friends. It will also give
Surrey City Council wishes you and your family a very HAPPY DIWALI!
DIWALI 2014 37
Great Hindu Temples of Asia~Pacific By Garima Goswami
A look at some lesser known yet beautiful, Hindu places of worship outside of India
H
induism is one of the largest religions in the world. The culture and literature that Hinduism has to offer is a reflection of its extensive heritage. Within the realms of this age-old religion, temples have played an important role and have also garnered praise for their distinct architecture that was associated with intriguing stories about the gods and goddesses or kings of earlier times. Whether or not they were within the geographic range of India, Hindu temples have built their glory growing upon their breathtaking construction patterns. You must be aware of some beautiful structures in
38 DIWALI 2014
India, but here is a look at some lesser known yet beautiful places of worship outside of India:
Angkor Wat
The Angkor is considered a significant archeological site in South-East Asia and is also displayed on the national flag of Cambodia. It is believed that the historic temple of Angkor Wat was built in an estimated period of 30 years and is the largest masterpiece in the Angkor group that includes other marvels such as the Bayon Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
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Tanah Lot
One of the seven sea temples, each within the eyesight of the next, Tanah Lot is popular amongst tourists for its magnificent location. Being one of the most famous temples in Bali, Tanah Lot attracts tourists throughout the year. Legend has it that black and white stripped snakes guard the temple and can be spotted close to caves inside the temple.
Within the realms of this ageold religion, temples have played an important role and have also garnered praise for their distinct architecture that was associated with intriguing stories about the gods and goddesses or kings of earlier times. Whether or not they were within the geographic range of India, Hindu temples have built their glory growing upon their breathtaking construction patterns.
Prambanan Temple
PHOTO: DARPAN Archives
Known as the largest temple dedicated to lord Shiva in Indonesia, Prambanan temple adorns illustrations from the great Hindu epic of Ramayana. Built in the 10th century, this temple is dedicated to- Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple compound also consists of three temples that are dedicated to animals that serve Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
40 DIWALI 2014
Wishes that you celebrate this Diwali with sparkling smiles and crackling laughter.
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Pashupatinath Temple
Noted as one of the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is a two-tiered pagoda listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The extensive grounds of this temple include many important Hindu temples and shrines including - Chadeshvar, an engraved Licchavi Linga dating back to the 7th century and Dharmashila, a stone where sacred oaths are taken. The temple is one of the cultural heritage sites situated in the Kathmandu Valley that display various architectural spots including the Buddhist Stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu) and Patan and Bhaktapur.
Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple
Situated in Fiji, this temple is a beautiful display of the Dravidian art outside of India. Glorying bright colours, the temple looks splendid from the inside with its beautiful ceiling frescos, as do the wooden carved deities that have been brought from India to beautify the splendour of this temple.
Batu Caves
The caves are an important site dedicated to Lord Murugun, the elder son of Lord Shiva. Upon reaching the vicinity, you would notice a 42.7 metre tall gold painted statue of Lord Murugun. To reach the main temple inside the caves, one has to climb a total of 272 stairs.
DIWALI 2014 43
Changu Narayan Temple The ancient temple of Changu Narayan is located in a village called Changu village, Nepal. The temple is considered to be the oldest temple in Nepal and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this temple came into existence in the 4th century and adorns beautiful stone, metal and wooden crafts. Interestingly it is said that the temple was burnt in 1702 A.D. following which construction was carried out. Gilt-copper plates were added later on in the restoration process.
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Also known as the Sri Perumal Temple, this large complex is recognized as one of the oldest temples in Singapore dating back to 1855. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, the temple instantly catches attention with its 60-foot-high Gopuram (monumental tower) depicting Vishnu in his nine avatars. Going indoors devotees can observe a colourful pattern depicting the nine planets of the universe. The temple was gazetted a national monument in 1978.
44 DIWALI 2014
Koneswaram Temple
This classical-medieval Hindu temple in Sri Lanka is a major worship centre for Lord Shiva devotees. The temple is also famously known as ‘Thirukonamamalai Konesar Kovil.’ Situated in the Trincomalee, the temple overlooks the beautiful Indian ocean and is also a major tourist attraction.
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Celebrating Diwali Together!
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This Diwali, join us and celebrate the international winners of the inaugural Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature. On October 24, come to SFU Surrey for a public reading with the winning authors from India and Pakistan. The next day, the inaugural Dhahan Prize Literary Gala will honour the winners and the greater writing community at UBC's Museum of Anthropology.
Barj S. Dhahan Learn more and RSVP for both events at: www.dhahanprize.com
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DIWALI 2014 49
“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. � - Wade Boggs
50 DIWALI 2014
DIWALI FEATURE
Many Festivals of a Joyous Diwali! By Garima Goswami
The festive season kicks off with a row of celebrations that ultimately lead to Diwali – the cheerful festival of lights
A
s the year comes to an end, festivities take center-stage in the Hindu culture with a string of festivals binding families, relatives and friends in a blissful time of celebrations. Starting from Navratri, the commemoration leads up to various festivals, thus giving individuals several occasions to rejoice their culture and understand the virtues of each festival. Here is a list of important festivals that hold significance and meaning for many families:
DIWALI 2014 51
DIWALI FEATURE
Navrati: Navratri is the combination of two words – ‘Nav’ meaning nine and ‘Ratri’ meaning ‘Nights.’ Essentially, these nine days are dedicated to the worship of the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga, who is glorified as the supreme goddess in Hindu culture. The nine days are celebrated by fasting and on the eighth or ninth day, families invite young girls to perform rituals like washing their feet and in return, the family bestows a gift to the girls.
52 DIWALI 2014
Dussehra: Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, fought the great demon Ravan who had abducted Ram’s wife Sita. Ram fought the battle, along with his younger brother Lord Lakshman and Ram’s devoted follower Lord Hanuman, and killed Ravan. Dussehra marks the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is celebrated exactly 20 days after the festival of Dussehra.
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DIWALI FEATURE
PHOTO: DARPAN Archives, Images used for representational purposes only
A typical day of Diwali comprises of cleaning the house, buying new clothes, decorating the house, lighting lamps and performing puja (worship) of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. For many families, Diwali is also the start of a new year. So, if someone wishes you ‘Happy Diwali and a Happy New Year!’ on Diwali, don’t be surprised.
Dhanteras
The day is considered an auspicious occasion to purchase gold, silver or a new utensil. This new metal is included in the puja (worship) rituals on the day of Diwali when the Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi is worshipped and praised.
54 DIWALI 2014
Diwali: At the center of the festive season stands the bright and joyous festival of Diwali, also known as Deepavali, meaning ‘a row of lamps.’ This day marks the return of Lords Ram and Lakshman and Goddess Sita to their kingdom ‘Ayodhaya’ after 14 years of exile. In exhilaration of his return, the subjects of Ayodhaya lighted lamps for his welcome. A typical day of Diwali comprises of cleaning the house, buying new clothes, decorating the house, lighting lamps and performing puja (worship) of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh. For many families, Diwali is also the start of a new year. So, if someone wishes you ‘Happy Diwali and a Happy New Year!’ on Diwali, don’t be surprised.
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DIWALI FEATURE
Bhai Dooj
This festival is celebrated to recognize and celebrate the bond of brother-sister love. Though the festival is addressed with various names throughout India, the main celebration centers around the sister, who applies a sacred mark called ‘tika’ on her brother’s forehead and prays for his well-being.
As the year comes to an end, festivities take center-stage in the Hindu culture with a string of festivals binding families, relatives and friends in a blissful time of celebrations. Starting from Navratri, the commem-oration leads up to various festivals, thus giving individuals several occasions to rejoice their culture and understand the virtues of each festival. 56 DIWALI 2014
Govardhan Puja
The very next day of Diwali is observed as Govardhan Puja. Govardhan is a small mount in Braj in Uttar Pradesh, India. Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan on his little finger and saved a myriad of individuals and animals by providing them shelter from the heavy storm and flood that had hit the region by divine forces. A special meal called ‘ankut’ is made on the day, which is basically a mixture of vegetables.
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Wishing you a very
Happy Diwali
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DIWALI
Crafts
ge ollaCards! CGreeting S
end heartfelt Diwali wishes with a homemade card. All you need is a sheet of card paper, brightly coloured scraps of fabric or paper and glue – even kids will enjoy making this festive Diya collage card for Diwali! STEP 1: Fold the A4 card paper in half. STEP 2: Cut out a rectangle on a paper of your choice. Make sure to keep it slightly smaller in size than the front of your card. Glue this rectangle on one side of your card. STEP 3: Cut 3 diyas from three different types of paper or fabric and glue them to the card. STEP 4: Cut 3 flames from yellow or gold paper. Glue them onto the card above the diyas. STEP 5: Decorate your card further if you like with glitter or sequins. DIWALI 2014 59
ING CONTE R U O L O C ST! Little Hanuman needs some colour before he celebrates Diwali!
Kids age 12 and under are invited to participate in DARPAN’s Diwali contest. You can simply take a picture of the artwork and send it to info@darpanmagazine.com OR mail it to- 340-8140, 128th St. Surrey, BC, V3W 1R1. Winners will receive a special Diwali gift. Hurry,
send your entries soon!!!
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DIWALI 2014 61
What better way to celebrate the festival of lights than with a party?
Your
Diwali Party
Checklist! By Tarana Rana
D
iwali party may be a great way to catch up with friends and loved ones but planning one can be a time consuming and stressful process during this busy season. Here is a short checklist of some party tips to keep in mind when planning your big bash.
Light it up As Diwali translates to “row of lights”, it’s no surprise that this festival is all about illumination. String some LED fairy lights around the house, hang paper lanterns and pepper your place with electric diyas. These will set the mood without being a potential fire hazard.
DIWALI 2014 63
Add some colour
Flowers are an easy, quick way to spruce up any space and make it look festive. String flowers of your choice into garlands and twist them around staircases or on the walls. Float several blossoms of your choice in a crystal bowl of water to create a pretty center piece or table decoration. Rangolis are another Diwali staple but they can also be time consuming to get just right. For quick, no-fuss experience, order rangoli stencils online – all you have to do is heap rangoli powder over them to get a gorgeous pattern.
64 DIWALI 2014
Plan for fun
A must-have for every Diwali party is a card table or two. Pick a list of card games most people will know to involve a large party. Another popular favourite is Bingo. Have a couple of small prizes ready for the winners – these can be anything from a small box of chocolates, traditional sweets to a decorative candle holder. Be sure to show the non-card players a good time as well, by setting up a karaoke machine or arrange for a couple of board games.
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Wishing You and Your Family a Very Happy & Prosperous Diwali
DIWALI
FEATURE
Create a Kid’s Corner If you have invited younger children to your Diwali party, make sure there is something for them as well. Get them into the spirit of things by setting up a craft corner. You can have them paint white candles, make diwali cards or draw rangoli patterns on black construction paper with coloured chalk. For a stress-free option, give them print outs of Diwali-themed colour pages and fill a couple of mason jars with crayons or colour pencils. Be sure to serve kid-friendly snacks as well. You can’t go wrong with all-time favourites like pizzas, cupcakes, mini-sandwiches or smoothies.
PHOTO: Craftsvilla, DARPAN Archives
The Food’s the Thing Needless to say, in most cases, food can make or break a party. When planning your party’s menu, there are a couple of things to consider. First off, offer options. Make sure your guests have a variety of dishes to choose from. Second, finger food is your friend. Simple, no-fuss snacks like grilled kebabs or vegetables, pakoras, kathi rolls, crackers with a dip go over well with groups of any age. (For more ideas, flip through our recipes pages for some scrumptious snacks!) Your drink menu is just as important – if not more. If you’re planning a large party, consider hiring a professional to take some of the stress off your shoulders and give yourself more time to mingle with your guests. Another stress-free option is to have selfservice for beverages and refreshments. This is as simple as laying out a tray with 2-3 options and you are good to go! 66 DIWALI 2014
Say Goodbye with a Gift As your party starts winding down, send your guests home with a small party favour as a thank-you for their attendance. When deciding on a party favour, consider the party size and your budget. Do you want to go with homemade favours, like sweets or baked goodies? Or take the traditional route by handing out decorative diyas, candle sets or dried fruits. The options are endless!
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On this auspicious festival of lights, may the glow of joy, prosperity and happiness illuminate your life ... Wishing you a
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Decorating For Diwali By Seema Chandra
By Kavita Shyam
You sure are in for many compliments this festive season! Here’s how you can plan ahead and re-create much loved spaces of your home for Diwali.
T
he festive season is in full swing. Diwali, the festival of lights, means family pampering, crackers, sweets, card parties but we think home décor or festive home makeovers top the to-do list. While each of you will be striving to make it grand; we have come up with a few lovely ways to decorate your home this Diwali. You sure are in for many compliments this festive season! Here’s how you can plan ahead and re-create much loved spaces of your home for Diwali. “With the arrival of Diwali, our home gets
a new makeover,” says Charu Gupta, renowned Interior Consultant and owner of Interior Medini in New Delhi, India. “As this festival is full of light and brightness, use colours like red, orange, pink and yellow in furnishing for a brighter look.” Diwali is a time to fill your house with light – so be creative about it! Instead of buying diyas, make your own unique ones at home out of clay and flour (atta). You can paint them after they have been baked. Another interesting idea is to make diyas DIWALI 2014 69
Diwali décor
with decoratively cut orange peels; here the candles can be slotted in orange peels with the edges cut into creative zig-zags. You can also make sea shell candles by putting wax and wick in the shell. Even bottle caps can be put to us as creative lights/candles. People who have house plants can also decorate these with strings of electric lights. “Today, people like to explore recycle and reuse,” notes Gupta. “You can use your old clothes, [like] Sarees or old dresses creatively to make trendy curtains for Diwali decoration. Beads and multicolored old dupattas can be used to make a hanging decoration and you can light it up strategically. New cushions or sofa covers can also be made from sarees or dupattas.” Add some festive frivolity by hanging strips of embroidered cloth, chimes or little bells on your doors and welcome your guests in style. For an eye catching holiday centerpiece, Gupta suggests filling clear vases or glass bottles with water and adding a few drops of holiday-coloured food dyes in it. You can float candles in the vases
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Diwali pujan is an important ritual of this festival, where puja thali plays an important role. Take any thali (steel, copper, brass, steel, silver) and place bandhej cloth/ lace fabric on the same. Place statues of God Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi and diyas on it. Now put unbroken rice grains, roli for tilak, sweets and seasonal fruits for Prasad, Doop/agarbatti, sandalwood paste, camphor (korpur), coconut, betel leaves, a small pot filled with water (Kalash), gold or silver coins with images of Hindu holy symbols (Om, Swastik or Shree), candles, aarti-diya, a hand bell (Ghanti), sacred crimson string (Kalava or mouli) to tie around the wrist, and petals of some colorful flowers. or just line several bottles up in a row for a unique accent. Flowers are also a great item to decorate your house and make it look like paradise. Flowers like roses, lilies, jasmines can be bought in the dozens, strung onto garlands and fixed artistically on your stairs, walls or on the entrance door as a toran. “Attach a string of electric light with each floral strand,” says Gupta. “It will look magnificent.” As you go around decorating your house for Diwali, don’t forget about your Puja Thali. You can decorate your puja
Happy Diwali
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Diwali décor
coins with images of Hindu holy symbols (Om, Swastik or Shree), candles, aartidiya, a hand bell (Ghanti), sacred crimson string (Kalava or mouli) to tie around the wrist, and petals of some colorful flowers.” This holiday season, be innovative and find creative ways to make this festival memorable for all. Happy Diwali!
So this holiday season, be innovative and find creative ways to make this festival memorable for all. Happy Diwali! DIWALI 2014 73
PHOTOS: DARPAN Archives
thali by painting varied motifs or a simple swatik/Om. Use water paints in vibrant hues or you may also want to paste ethnic stickers on the thali. Gupta emphasizes the importance of a Thali during the big festival. “Diwali pujan is an important ritual of this festival, where puja thali plays an important role. Take any thali (steel, copper, brass, steel, silver) and place bandhej cloth/ lace fabric on the same. Place statues of God Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi and diyas on it. Now put unbroken rice grains, roli for tilak, sweets and seasonal fruits for Prasad, Doop/ agarbatti, sandalwood paste, camphor (korpur), coconut, betel leaves, a small pot filled with water (Kalash), gold or silver
Diwali Greetings From World Leaders & Bollywood Celebs
Compiled by Garima Goswami & Tarana Rana
Let us pray that our country be blessed with inner brightness to keep our nation away from the menace of corruption and price rise. It is only then that we can free the poor from poverty and make everyone an integral part of our development journey. Let us all get rid from blind faith...and move towards an environment of faith and trust. May the coming year bring lots of peace, joy and prosperity in our lives. Diwali has been an integral part of our culture since thousands of years, commemorating the time when Lord Sri Ram returned victorious to Ayodhya. Happy Diwali!”
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister 2014 of India 74 DIWALI
Laureen and I would like to extend our best wishes to all those in Canada and abroad celebrating Diwali, ‘the Festival of Lights.’ Diwali is a time for celebrating the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness. It is also a time to count blessings and to reach out to those in need. It is our hope that those marking this special occasion with their loved ones find truth, enlightenment, peace and prosperity. Happy Diwali!” -
Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
For the Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights reaffirms the things in life that matter most. Contemplation and prayer remind us that that people of all faiths have an obligation to perform seva, or service to others. The flame of the diya, or lamp, reminds us that light will ultimately triumph over darkness…”
- Barack Obama, President of The USA
“If all you want to do on Diwali is stay home with your family (like me), then you are truly blessed. Happy Diwali and a very Happy New Year.”
“Wishing all of you a very happy Diwali! Be safe, have a day full of love and happiness, lights and not noise. Please think about our animals.” - Alia Bhatt
“Happy Diwali to all my tweetos. May the festival of lights sparkle your life and bring you happiness galore.” - Shilpa Shetty
“Happy Diwali to all...Spread the love...Bask in the light and let the family connect tide you through every obstacle...Love you all… Always” - Karan Johar
- Farah Khan
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DIWALI
STYLE
s s e Dr like a
a v i D
By Kavita Shyam
D
iwali is the best time of the year to showcase your new clothes, deck up in all your festive finery and Indian traditional wear almost always oozes grandeur and elegance. 2014 promises to be a year of grace and sophistication for the fashionable women who like to dress to the hilt.Take inspiration from the Indian designers who are offering an array of choices in prints, silhouettes, embellishments and colours. Bling and jazzy numbers are giving way to minimal embellishments, metallic appliquĂŠ and delicate vintage embroidery. This festive season sees the comeback of Parsi embroidery, chikankari, Kashmiri embroidery also called Kashida, sequined embroidery and Kantha. This is not all, as pearls and kundan are making their way from jewellery to clothing as embellishments and real gold and silver thread work, crystals, embroidery, stones, Swarovski also add to the grandeur to your festive fare. Move away from chiffons and georgettes this Diwali season, instead embrace silks, lace, fluid fabrics and natural weaves in hues of red, green, yellow, purple, fuchsia or solid colours like champagne or
This Diwali season sees a blend of traditional elements with contemporary stylised silhouettes. DIWALI 2014 77
DIWALI
STYLE Bling and jazzy numbers are giving way to minimal embellishments, metallic appliquĂŠ and delicate vintage embroidery. This festive season also sees the comeback of Parsi embroidery, chikankari, Kashmiri embroidery called Kashida, sequined embroidery and kantha. gold. Quirky prints are the talk of the town as well, so do not shy away from polka dots and digital prints. Women can opt from shararas or ghararas, kalidar floor length anarkalis, regal pleated full skirts or mermaid tail lehngas when deciding what to wear for that Diwali party. Net sarees over printed petticoats and sherwani style short kurtas are also extremely in vogue this festive season.
78 DIWALI 2014
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DIWALI
STYLE
Hot on the fashion circuit are the long kurtas or sherwani worn with lehnga styles and have a lot of flair and embroidery at the ends. Women can always add short or long embellished or brocade jackets to any of their attires. One should also experiment with the neckline, collarbone, back and bodice by adding or subtracting pieces from the outfit. Adding to the glam quotient are the backless, halter, off-shoulder, slit or strappy looks which are doing the rounds. The structured corset blouse, bolero jackets or velvet cholis are also a hot trend, and when paired with saree, lehnga, flowy skirt, palazzo pants or a sharara, they add the much needed drama to your attire. They clearly are a musthave in your closet! Create fusion looks this Diwali by donning fitted tunics with sharara pants for an indowestern look. Even sequined and embellished dupattas are a hit with women this season and
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they can instantly make an attire look heavy and dressy. Hot on the fashion circuit are the long kurtas or sherwani worn with lehenga styles and have a lot of flair and embroidery at the ends. Women can always add short or long embellished or brocade jackets to any of their attires. One should also experiment with the neckline, collarbone, back and bodice by adding or subtracting pieces from the outfit. The ace designer Anita Dongre says, “ The festive trends this season see the use of richer fabrics like raw silk, lots of traditional Indian techniques and fabrics like bandhini, leheriya and gota patii, zardozi and dori work, interpreted in contemporary styles, appealing to the style savvy, modern woman of today.” Dongre also offers some trendy style tips for the festive season. “While everyone likes to flaunt traditional Indian ensembles for festivals, this season sees a wonderful blend of traditional elements with contemporary stylised silhouettes. For example, a long leheriya jacket with high slide slits, paired with a cream zardosi embroidered slim pants, is a great style, for a Diwali cards party, or a wedding cocktail or your best friend’s reception. A fitted crop top paired with a lehenga skirt, again reflects a traditional note, but in a more modern style - another great look for the festive season! The colors to look out for, are, reds, corals, peacock blues, raani pinks, and neutral tones of off-white or beige. In terms of jewellery, rings with a floral inspired motif, or stylized silver ear cuffs, or just a statement gold jadau cuff set in uncut diamonds, does the trick – [these are] versatile pieces, that can be matched with any ensemble for any occasion.” So what are you all waiting for? Transform yourselves into divas this Diwali, keeping hues, cuts and styles in mind, which compliment you best. Happy Styling, Happy Diwali!
DIWALI 2014 81
By Kavita Shyam
Casetll a
sp
Diwali BEAUTY Beauty Expert Nidhi Khurana, shares beauty tips for this Diwali season.
D
iwali, the most awaited festival of the year, lets you glam up in your traditional best and experiment to the hilt. Here are the seven beauty tips by beauty expert Nidhi Khurana, from Brush Strokes By Nidhi, to follow for Diwali.
1
Start by exfoliating your face. Clean your face with a gentle exfoliant by rubbing slowly in circular motions. Use warm water to remove the dead skin cells. Rinse the skin and pat it dry with a soft towel. Be careful to not rub the skin too hard as this might harm the soft cells.
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Diwali BEAUTY
2
Wet a cotton ball with a skin toner and apply it gently all over the face. Using the toner is important as it helps to restore the skin to its natural pH level and it also removes any extra dirt or remaining dry skin cells.
3
Moisturize your skin with a moisturizer that suits your skin type. If it is a day party, apply the moisturizer along with a sunscreen which has a SPF of 15 or higher, all over the face and neck.
4
Apply a liquid based foundation all over your skin. Opt for a liquid based foundation that closely matches your natural skin tone, if you have a lot of area on the face to cover. Use a cosmetic sponge or your finger and apply a light layer of foundation all over your face and neck. This step is optional, but it is highly recommended!
5
Use a concealer to hide any imperfections, such as dark circles under your eyes. Use small strokes, and apply the concealer under your lower lashes, between the inner corner of your eyes and nose. Let the concealer dry halfway and then use your fingers to rub it in. Also conceal the blemishes on your skin, if any, by going around the edges of the blemish in first and then cover the top. Make sure that the edges are blended in well.
6
Smoky eyes are a timeless look; use a brown shade as a base and then apply your desired colour. Use highlighter on the eyes for that added glow and finish off by applying gel liner above and below the eyes. However, if you’re planning to wear a dark coloured outfit, it is best to highlight your eyes with a subtle or lighter eye shadow. Never be overly dramatic with both your dress and your eyes – it could kill your entire look.
84 DIWALI 2014
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Diwali BEAUTY
7
Highlight your cheekbones with a colour that suits your skin tone and your overall look. Pink tones are most people’s best bet. Also last but not the least, go for a drop dead gorgeous lip colour that completes your look. Your hair is just as important and Khurana shares a hair styling tip for this lovely festival. “For the hair, keep it on the messy style,” she suggests. “You can soft curl your entire hair, and then open the curls into thin strands. This would lend a desired messy look which is very in this season.” You could also curl the bottom of your hair and sweep them on one side for a feminine look. A top chignon or stylish pouffe are classics that remain tres chic. Bejewelled hair accessories that match your traditional finery also look splendid!
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THE BATTLE for
Diwali
SUPREMACY
MAYBE ONE-SIDED!
By Jorge Ignacio Castillo
A ready-made blockbuster starring Shah Rukh Khan and Abhishek Bachchan faces off against a movie six years shelved.
D
iwali is the chosen date for very expensive Bollywood blockbusters to see the light of day. The Festival of Lights is also intrinsically associated with Shah Rukh Khan’s career, as nearly a dozen of his movies have opened during the holiday. True to form, this October 23rd will see a really pricey SRK vehicle hit theatres. Happy New Year, an action-comedy is set to open in 5,000 screens around the world, including North America, one of the most ambitious unfolding strategies for a Bollywood movie. Then again, Diwali-seekers outside India may find in Happy New Year holiday appropriate entertainment. The plot follows the heist movie formula the way of Ocean’s Eleven, down to the allstar cast. Abhishek Bachchan is Brad Pitt to Shah Rukh Khan’s Clooney. Also, model-
88 DIWALI 2014
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Rang Rasiya is the polar opposite of Happy New Year, both by content and context. The film, a biopic of acclaimed Travancore artist Raja Ravi Varma was shot seven years ago and premiered at the London Film Festival in 2008.
turned-actress Deepika Padukone reunites with Khan for the first time since Chennai Express. Set in Dubai - specifically the architectural marvel known as The Palm - Happy New Year is designed to look great. A team of six down-on-their-luck hustlers plan a diamond heist, set to take place during the World Dance Championship. The setup allows Khan and Bachchan to display their comedic chops as well as massive musical numbers. It’s no surprise that most of the other releases planned for Diwali got out of the way of Happy New Year, except for two minor films with very conspicuous traits. Rang Rasiya is the polar opposite of Happy New Year, both by content and context. The film, a biopic of acclaimed Travancore artist Raja Ravi Varma was shot seven years ago and premiered at the London Film Festival in 2008. Before it could reach theatres in India, the Censor Board objected certain scenes featuring nudity and adult situations, both live and in painting. Only recently the organization reverted the decision, although is not clear if cuts took place to make that possible. The drama depicts the relationship
DIWALI BOX OFFICE
between Varma and his muse, Sugandha, as well as his role in Indian modern art (he was a pioneer in painting gods, goddesses and mythological scenes) and in the independence movement. Rang Rasiya may not have the pull of Happy New Year, but as counterprogramming goes, it’s a shrewd move. The lighter, family friendly Super Nani is expected to get younger audiences’ patronage. The film marks the return of Rekha to the big screen after a four-year hiatus. Her most recent movie, Sadiyaan, bombed badly and one has to go all the way back to 2006 to find her in a role of note (Krrish). Super Nani has a lot in common with Sridevi comeback vehicle English Vinglish and it follows the transformation of a traditional woman into a modern one. Taken for granted by her husband and children, her grandson pushes her to get a makeover to change the way she is perceived by her family. Although the story has dramatic potential, it’s mostly played for laughs.
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For more information on how you can support this event, please contact anom@bcchf.ca or visit
anightofmiracles.ca
Saturday, November 8
Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Robin Dhir, founding chair of A Night of Miracles; the South Asian community and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation are joining together to celebrate the community’s support for child health.
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DIWALI TECH By Garima Goswami
BEST APPS FOR
for Diwali M
ake the most of Diwali this year by downloading applications that cover almost all aspects of what makes for a joyous Diwali. We have tested the best 5 Diwali apps for this season that will serve multiple purposes such as pooja, crafts, greetings and cooking. Take a look:
Happy Diwali 2014 Winjit Celebrate the festival of lights this year with the Happy Diwali 2014 app. It comes with a good amount of content ranging from nine aartis, pooja procedures, Hindu calender, rangoli designs and recipes. Know the auspicious timings for conducting pooja’s for the entire Diwali week. What’s more, this app also features audios of fire crackers to complete your Diwali celebration package!
Diwali Greetings Mango Techno Apps Share Diwali greetings with friends and relatives with this app that has preloaded Diwali greetings and beautiful backgrounds. Customize your cards by adding your signature and messages and send them using multiple social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. You can also schedule the date and time you wish to send out the card at.
94 DIWALI 2014
Etsy Etsy.com Splurge on the festivities in your humble adobe this Diwali by using Etsy. This sophisticated app connects you with talented individuals around the globe that offer a variety of products ranging from decor to jewellery. Not only that, if you are an artist yourself, then Etsy is the perfect platform for you to sell some of your creations. The app aims to support small businesses while providing buyers with affordable quality options.
Sweet ‘N’ Spicy fullmeals.com Renowned as one of the top apps for Indian recipes, ‘Sweet ‘N’ Spicy’ has more than 10,000 recipes and 1,500 video recipes that serve savory dishes for vegetarians, non-vegetarians and vegans. Use this app to make some interesting festive Diwali recipes right inside your kitchen. The app also provides essential health tips and natural remedies from the recipe ingredients.
Virtual Diwali Laxmi Ganesha Hobbypoint Also known as the goddess of wealth, prosperity, good fortune and beauty, Laksmi is worshipped along with Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati. Use this app to virtually light up diya (lamp) and play aarti (audio) of Lakshmi and Ganesha.
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