Diwali Sparklers

I love Diwali. The festival of lights is among my favourite festivals. I love its simplicity. Mostly, I love this festival because over the years, this time of year has seen the most exciting developments in my life. Coincidence or Destiny: I can judge that without prejudice before my final breath.

2003: On a cold night right after Diwali, the single most important turning point of my life stepped out of a train on to Bhopal railway station with a fever and a dazzling smile. I see that spark of a smile even behind my closed eyes.

2004: This Diwali night saw several lights being lit and fires kindled.
The sky intermittently lit by sparklers and showers and rockets. Little brown earthen lamps and colourful candles show off their laughing flames from balconies and terraces all around the apartment complex. A small dark room in a second-floor apartment: Lit by dancing light from a large bowl filled with rose petals and floating candles. Two forms on the floor giggling, munching, discovering and plotting.

2005: The flames grew in strength. Diwali was all about stepping into spaces and stretching boundaries and being comfortable in all skins. When plain words became heated avowals... When every touch spoke for deeper feelings… When there were no candles lit but enough fires ignited…

2006 & 2007: The push and pull of distance was fuel to raging flames.

And now it is Diwali 2008…And we stand at the threshold of another journey. As we “wallow in these deliciously unknown feelings” – life seems so much more like an air diving adventure – all thrills and anticipation and adrenaline but at the moment of reckoning it all comes down to simple moves: keep position, make adjustments for air and wind movements, a tug and a pull and stay afloat till you are on solid earth. A prayer wings up that I may heed these moves.

Let there be light in all our lives.

To all visitors to the Muse, wishing you a Happy Diwali and a prosperous year ahead. Be safe, take care and keep visiting.