The Diwali We Grew Up With: A Nostalgic Journey Back to the 80's by Dr. Mandeep Kaur
Being an '80s kid is like carrying a treasure chest of memories that modern world can never truly recreate. We grew up in an era when technology had not yet taken over our lives, and happiness was found in the simplest of things. Our childhood was rooted in traditions, family values, outdoor games, and countless little moments that have now become precious memories.
My mornings began with familiar voice of my parents waking us up for school. After returning home, enjoying a freshly cooked meal and sharing stories about the school day with my elder sister was one of the simplest joys of life. We studied with the help of our textbooks, our own efforts, and the occasional guidance of our elder siblings. There were no smartphones, online tutorials, or digital distractions. Self study and the support of family were enough to help us excel in our studies.
Evenings were somethings we eagerly looked forward to. Our neighborhood would come alive with the cheerful voices of children playing together. Hide - and - seek, kabaddi, kith - kith, goli - chut, kite flying, and many other traditional games kept us occupied for hours. My siblings would join us, making the fun even memorable. We hardly needed expensive toys or elaborate arrangements to entertain ourselves; our imagination and companionship were enough.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness gradually enveloped the neighborhood, we would return to our homes. The day would end with family conversations, laughter, and discussions about matters that seemed important to our little world. Rainy days brought their own charm. When we could not step outside, indoor game such as Ludo, carrom, and chess kept us entertained. Every season had something special to offer.
And then came festivals!
How could a childhood so deeply rooted in family and traditions ever be complete without the magic of Diwali?
The Excitement Began Long Before Diwali
For us, Diwali was never just a single day of celebration. The excitement began weeks before the festival arrived. We siblings would start planning how to make our celebrations more beautiful and memorable.
One of our most cherished traditions was constructing a miniature Diwali house. My elder brother would gather all the necessary materials, including thermocol, cardboard, glue, pins, and whatever else we could bring our ideas to life. What followed was a collective effort, with each sibling contributing in their own little way.
We would spend hours cutting, arranging, pasting, and decorating materials. Sometimes, our ideas would not turn out as expected, but that never dampened our enthusiasm. Every little improvement brought a new wave of excitement. Watching the structure gradually take shape was a joy in itself.
By the time Diwali arrived, our handmade creation would be ready, standing proudly as the centerpiece of our celebrations. It was not merely a decoration; it was a symbol of our teamwork, creativity, and childhood innocence. Even today, the memory of those moments fills my heart with warmth. No expensive decoration can ever replace the happiness of creating something together with one's siblings.
Cleaning the House, Welcoming Goddess Lakshmi
Diwali preparations were incomplete without the traditional cleaning of the house. The cleaning began well in advance, sometimes continuing for weeks. Every corner of the house received attention, and no family member was exempt from the task.
On the day of Dhanteras, the entire family would be busy putting the final touches to the preparations. We would clean, arrange, dust and organize everything with remarkable enthusiasm. Strangely enough, we never seemed to feel tired. The excitement of the approaching festival made even the most exhausting chores enjoyable.
We grew up believing that a clean and welcoming home invited the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. To us, cleaning was not simply a household responsibility; it was a sacred part of the celebration. Every sparkling corner seemed to bring us one step closer to welcoming prosperity, happiness, and good fortune into our home.
Looking back, I realize that these preparations taught us valuable lessons without even noticing. We learnt the importance of sharing responsibilities, respecting traditions, and working together as a family.
The Sweet Aroma of Homemade Delicacies
No Indian festival is complete without sweets and savories, and Diwali was no exception.
Our kitchen would transform into little festive workshop where my mother and elder sister spent hours preparing an assortment of traditional delicacies. Gujiyas, nimkis, and other homemade sweets and savories were prepared with love and care. The aroma drifting from the kitchen would make it difficult for us to resist the temptation of sneaking a taste before the festivities officially began.
Those preparations were more than just cooking. They were a beautiful expression of love, togetherness, and tradition. My mother passed on the flavors of our heritage through her recipes, while my elder sister assisted her, making the entire process a cherished family ritual.
There was something extraordinary about homemade festive food. Every bite carried warmth of home and the affection of the people who prepared it. The sweets were not merely delicacies to be served to guests; they were an essential part of the happiness we shared.
Even today the thought of those homemade treats takes me back to our bustling kitchen, where conversations, laugher and the clattering of utensils blended into a familiar festive melody.
My Father's Contribution to the Festival
While we siblings were busy with our handmade Diwali house and my mother and sister were occupied in the kitchen, my father took charge of the festive shopping.
He would return home with sweets, traditional delicacies, and an assortment of firecrackers that made our eyes sparkle with excitement. We eagerly awaited his arrival, curious to discover what he had brought for us this year.
The firecrackers of those days seemed much simpler than many of the noisy varieties we see today. For us, the charm lay in the experience itself - the colorful sparks, the excitement of lighting them under adult supervision, and the joy of watching our brothers and siblings celebrate together.
My father's shopping bags carried far more than festive essentials. They brought with them the promise of a celebration we had been waiting for all year. His efforts made the festival special, and his happiness in seeing us enjoy ourselves was perhaps the greatest gift of all.
The Night Our Home Glowed With a Thousand Memories
Finally, the much - awaited day of Diwali would arrive.
Our joint family made the occasion even more special. With so many siblings under one roof, there was never a dull moment. Everyone had a role to play, whether it was arranging the diyas, preparing the puja thali, decorating the house with fairy lights, or helping with the final preparations.
The fairy lights were usually put up a couple of days before Diwali, adding a festive glow to our home. But the real magic began after the evening puja.
We would gather together for the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, praying for happiness, prosperity, and the well - being of our family. Once the puja was over, the diyas would be lit one by one, illuminating every corner of the house.
The sight was mesmerizing. The gentle flames flickered in the evening breeze, while the fairy lights added a sparkling charm to the surroundings. Our home seemed to glow with a warmth that went far beyond the light itself.
And then came the moment we all had been waiting for - the firecrackers!
Our brothers and siblings would gather outside, bursting with excitement. Laughter echoed through the neighborhood as we celebrated together. Every little spark brought cheers, and every shared moment became another memory to treasure.
In those days, Diwali was not merely about decorating a house or lighting lamps. It was about being together, sharing happiness, and celebrating the same privilege of having our loved ones around us.
A Festival That Turned Every Home Into a Celebration
Diwali also brought people closer beyond the boundaries of our own homes. Relatives, neighbours, and family friends would visit the homes of our friends and acquaintances, carrying boxes of mithai and warm wishes.
There was a beautiful sense of belonging in those exchanges. Nobody needed an invitation weeks in advance and nobody worried about elaborate arrangements. A visit, a smile, a box of sweets, and a heartfelt greeting were enough to make the occasion special.
The entire neighborhood seemed to participate in these festivities. Houses were illuminated, families welcomed guests, children played together, and the air was filled with the spirit of celebration.
For almost three days, the festivities continued with extraordinary enthusiasm. Every home appeared to be hosting a wedding celebration. There was good food, laughter conversation, and a constant stream of visitors.
Those three days were a celebration not only of Diwali but also of family bonds, friendships, and the beautiful traditions that connected us.
The Diwali of Yesterday and the Diwali of Today
Today, as I look back at those years, I realize how fortunate we were to experience childhood in a world where happiness did not depend on technology. We did not need social media to share our excitement or cameras to validate our celebrations. We lived every moment as it came, and our memories were preserved in our hearts.
The handmade Diwali house, the weeks of cleaning, aroma of homemade Gujiyas, and nimkis, my father's festive shopping, the collective prayers, the glowing diyas, and the laughter of my siblings remain etched in my memory.
Life has changed considerably since then. Our celebrations have become more modern, our homes are decorated differently, and technology has made many things easier. Yet, somewhere along the way, we sometimes miss the simple pleasures that once made festivals so extraordinary.
Perhaps that is why the Diwali of our childhood continues to hold a special place in our hearts. It reminds us of a time when we had less in terms of material possessions but seemed to have much more in terms of togetherness.
As an '80s kid, I feel blessed to have experienced those beautiful days. They taught me that the true spirit of a festival lies not in grandeur of decorations or the number of gifts we exchange, but in the love we share, the traditions we preserve, and the memories we create with our families.
The Diwali my childhood may belong to the past, but its light continues to shine within me. And no matter how much the world changes, the warmth of those memories will always illuminate in my heart.
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