ECXLUSIVE

INTRODUCTION The Diwali Edit

Diwali is always said to be the festival of lights. All the blinging houses, outfits, smiles and warmth spread all over in all of the families. It is one of those festivals that brings a bright smile on everyone’s faces. Spending time with our loved ones, meeting our near and dear families happens to be the top priority in everyone’s list during this season. Diwali means various things for various families. To know this, we interviewed different families from the city and asked them how special diwali is to them and their family and how do they commemorate this auspicious festival. Read along to know about their unique festive tales.

SPECIAL | EXCLUSIVE| THE JAIN FAMILY

1) How do you plan on celebrating your diwali this year? Diwali, truly a festival of light and love! Like every year, my morning will be at the temple, thanking god for the wonderful year we as a family have had, followed by poojas and an afternoon filled with tons of food and family! Diwali brunches have to be my favorite part.

2) What is the one traditional custom (if any) that you/ your family follow every year for diwali without fail? At the Jain house, Diwali is incomplete without a *Diya-wali* party where we invite all our family and friends to come paint/ decorate diyas. We also have a pottery wheel so you can learn to make your own diyas! It’s such a beautiful way to bring all our loved ones together and bring in the diwali spirit. P.s. No party is complete without tons of food and bollywood music!

3) What is your outfit like for this year's diwali? Diwali outfits for me are always super fun, something young and chic. I plan to do a lehenga saree or drape saree this year. Probably little beading to glam it up. Wouldn’t mind something in velvet either because Hyderabad has really been experiencing winters from the last few years! 4) Where do you shop for festivities like these? I really enjoy shopping in Hyderabad's multi designer stores like Ensemble and Elahe for festivals but a lot of times I get my outfits custom made if I already have a vision for my look. 5) Best thing about diwali, and how/ why is it special to you LOVE & FOOD!! I am a sucker for friends and families being in the festive mood. With positive energy and laughter all around, what is not to love about festivals. Obviously the diwali parties around the month have a big part to play as well! 6) This festival of lights spreads joy & happiness. What are you most thankful for, this year? 2022 has been all about celebrations for us, we have cherished every small and big moment with open hearts and that’s what I am most grateful for! To celebrate your bonds, your values and the love we are surrounded by! To live every moment to its fullest. TULIP - SEPTEMBER 45 , 2022 45

THE SETH FAMILY

1) How do you plan on celebrating your diwali this year? Whether I’m traveling or back at home, diwali is always spent with family and friends. This year, I will be celebrating diwali at home with my family. We generally fly out the following day due to high pollution levels in Delhi.

2) What is the one traditional custom (if any) that you/ your family follow every year for diwali without fail? Diwali may be about religious customs and festivities, but more than anything it is about bonding with loved ones. As a family, we create the best memories during vacations. That’s why we have a holiday tradition instead, in Thailand every year around diwali! 3) What is your outfit like for this year’s diwali? I love wearing traditional sarees, especially for the diwali festivities. Though, I prefer kaftans or dresses with flowy silhouettes when I attend smaller parties and get-togethers.

4) Where do you shop for festivities like these? Occasionally, I head to boutique diwali exhibitions in the neighborhood.They are a treasure trove of new and contemporary brands with stunning gifting options. But more often than not, I pull out a vintage saree from my mother’s closet. 5) Best thing about diwali, and how/why is it special to you No doubt that diwali is a time for celebrations, but for me, it’s a great time to reflect and see where I am personally and professionally. It’s time to hit a reset on personal growth, make amends and scope what we can do differently as we encompass experiences. 6) This festival of lights spreads joy & happiness. What are you most thankful for, this year? With countries opening up post-covid exile, travel is back on the cards. This time around I decided to explore things and visit places that I haven’t before. Be it visiting Finland to see the midnight sun, seeing France through Emily’s eyes or visiting one of the world’s oldest cities Matera. This year is all about taking the off-beaten path and exploring the unexplored..So thankful that travel is back in full swing!

THE VANKA FAMILY

1) How do you plan on celebrating your diwali this year? Diwali this year is going to be extremely special. We are blessed with a baby boy and it is going to be his first Diwali.

2) What is the one traditional custom (if any) that you/ your family follow every year for diwali without fail? There is no particular custom as such. The eldest person of the house does the Pooja and we all are a part of it . 3) What is your outfit like for this year’s diwali? Haha, honestly, I haven’t decided on my outfit yet. I like to keep it simple. Not over the top. Something that I’m comfortable in. 4) Where do you shop for festivities like these? My shopping from the last couple of years has always been online. It’s become such a go to thing for everyone. You sit at home and get everything you want, let it be a high end designer wear or something just casual. 5) Best thing about diwali, and how/why is it special to you I think for everybody diwali is just special in many ways. It just brings back so many memories. Like it takes me back to my childhood and how mom used to make way too many things to eat and the preparations would start like 10-15 days before Diwali. And for me Sparkles and flower pots absolutely top my Diwali list, not a huge fan of rockets or bombs. 6) This festival of lights spreads joy & happiness. What are you most thankful for, this year? Thankful for everything we have, specially, my little one, this year.

THE REDDY FAMILY

1) How do you plan on celebrating your diwali this year? Diwali has always been special for us, with 2 kids, Aransh and Ishika, they are always fascinated with bursting firecrackers.

2) What is the one traditional custom (if any) that you/ your family follow every year for diwali without fail? We get up in the morning at 5 am and do harathi and then burst crackers - that’s the beginning of the festival for us.

3) What is your outfit like for this year’s diwali? It’s always traditional - it gives us a special bond when everybody is well dressed up. 4) Where do you shop for festivities like these? I keep collecting them whenever I find time. I already have quite a few in the wardrobe for the kids to select theirs. 5) Best thing about diwali, and how/why is it special to you It creates a special bond when all the family members come to the table for a purpose, whether it might be for Pooja or to spend time with each other. 6) This festival of lights spreads joy & happiness. What are you most thankful for, this year? My daughter, Ishika, is old enough to handle firecrackers this year. Last 2 years she was too young and she couldn’t handle the sound as she was scared.

SPECIAL | EXCLUSIVE| THE SURANA FAMILY

1) How do you plan on celebrating your diwali this year? This year we will be in the US, we now have two homes, one in Austin, Texas and one in Hyderabad. So this time, we will be celebrating with our friends and family in the US. There are going to be a lot of sweets, game nights and sharing traditions with people from all over the world.

2) What is the one traditional custom (if any) that you/ your family follow every year for diwali without fail? Growing up we would always go to the factory and offices for poojja and then to our grandparents house. It’s a time of celebrating the success bestowed on you from the Goddess Lakshmi and taking blessings of the wiser older generation. 3) What is your outfit like for this year's diwali? I love the traditional Indian outfits, especially lehengas, and love the ease of western outfits. So this time since we’re abroad it would be an Indo western mix. 4) Where do you shop for festivities like these? There are such good designer stores in Hyderabad. Of Course Mumbai and Delhi used to be a place where I would shop years before, but now it's definitely Hyd. Love the service, the people behind the stores and the vibe. 5) Best thing about diwali, and how/why is it special to you The best thing about Diwali is family and friends. The late night get-togethers, people coming from all different parts of the world and sharing old stories. The masti, the grandeur, the diyas and rangoli. Everything is just so festive and lovely. Burning all misunderstandings and judgements of the past and celebrating in the happy spirit.

6) This festival of lights spreads joy & happiness. What are you most thankful for, this year? After all the madness in the last two years with the pandemic and other uncertainties, I’m definitely thankful for the health of my loved ones. Everyone’s in good health and spirit. When the dark clouds have passed, the sun shines stronger, in this festival of good over evil, wishing everyone the courage to make health their priority and hoping everyone has a blessed Diwali.