A time of celebration is upon us! This Diwali, why not think out of the box while celebrating? Even within the realm of tradition and the observation of age-old ceremonies, there is plenty of scope to experiment. We speak to the movers and shakers of social media to update us on how they celebrate Diwali in a modern context.
GIFTS
Gone are the days when the cycle of gifting and re-gifting the same ol’ dry fruit packets or soan papdi were in vogue. Now, it’s all about personalisation of gifts. When Mumbai-based content creator and entrepreneur Vandana Pathak (@vandanapathak26), found it problematic to source high-quality organic products to gift her friends and family members, she decided to create her own. Her brand ‘Spring Water’ retails organic homemade soaps and lotions, crafted from natural ingredients found in one’s kitchen. “I aim to gift these items to friends, promoting a lifestyle of healthy living and glowing skin,” she says.
Beauty and lifestyle content creator Aashi Adani (@aashiadani) agrees with the importance of personalised gifts. For family members, she likes curating hampers that include their favourite goodies and handcrafted diyas, and for friends, she turns to scented candles, quirky home decor items, or personalised photo frames. She explains, “These add a touch of warmth and personality to their homes on Diwali.”
Fashion and lifestyle influencer, Varun Agrawal (@settlesubtle) believes the most precious gift you can give in this digital age is your own time. Hence, Agrawal has started his own tradition called the ‘PDDP (Post Diwali Diwali Party)’. “In our fast-paced world, organizing such an event is a gift in itself. Trust me, it demands my all to make it happen!” he laughs.
Poet and actor Ruchika Lohiya’s (@__chikka) recommends making memories as gifts over physical presents, such as visiting each other’s homes and donning matching attire to capture in photographs. Riya Thomas (@imriyathomas), who is best known for her mini vlogs sharing candid glimpses of her life, agrees with experiential gifts being more appreciated than physical ones. She shares, “I feel my friends love experiences more than anything. So, I’d like to take them out for dinner, or to a salon where we could sit for hours and bond.”
FOOD
This is the only time of the year when you can indulge in delectable sweets guilt-free. From street food delights like chaat from Old Delhi – a particular favourite of Priyanshu Modi @priyaansshu, a digital creator who makes short films on Instagram – to savoury snacks like chakli, namak pare, and samosas, and special Diwali sweet treats like kaju katli and motichoor ladoo, indulgence is not only allowed, it’s actively encouraged!
Ria Amin (@theriaamin) says, “My favourite is the yummy atta laddoo, which my mom makes every year during Diwali. It’s the best kind of indulgence!”. Gurugram-based Nishchay Verma (@nishchay.verma), who is best known for his comedic content and parody songs, gives soan papdi a wide berth! “Anything but soan papdi please!” he laughs, adding, “I’m really looking forward to enjoying a variety of other sweets this Diwali though.” Lifestyle and travel blogger Karishma Rawat (@karishmarawat) from Dehradun, adores kaju katli. She admits to overeating it so much this time of year that she can happily hold off on eating it till the next Diwali season!
Lifestyle influencer and posing coach Niharika Jain (@_niharikajain) finds comfort in sipping warm, spiced masala chai. Comedian and content creator Divyanshi Mishra (@divyanshi_mishra3) summarises universal sentiments when she says, “Diwali is the perfect time to indulge in a variety of mouth-watering sweets that make the festival even more special. From the traditional chamcham clothes to the delectable festive cuisine, everything about it is truly special.”
DÉCOR
Even the laziest of people will attest to cleaning out their personal spaces this time of year. And while they are at it, it’s easy to beautify the area in simple and effective ways. A Diwali tradition that Karishma Rawat particularly enjoys is making marigold flower garlands with her mother. Once these are completed, they are used to decorate all the doors and windows of their home. “Doing things with family is of utmost importance to us. So, on the day of Diwali, as soon as the sun sets, the whole family collectively lights diyas in every corner of our home. It is such a beautiful tradition,” she says.
Riya Thomas enjoys decorating her home with diyas, rangoli, garlands, and lights spread out aesthetically in every nook and corner. For her Diwali party this year, however, she has a new plan in mind. She explains, “I plan to set up a festive selfie booth for my guests, so they can capture memorable moments with special decor. This will be decorated with cut out diyas, torans, pretty hangings and other festive details.”
Ruchika Lohiya’s creative soul shines through in her Diwali decoration plans. “We like to keep it minimal with diyas and fairy lights strewn around the plants we have in our home. Scented candles are also extremely important because I believe that homes should always have a nice scent. And during Diwali, nice scents become even more important because it’s all about creating the best possible vibes, right?”
Some people go all out this time of the year. Nishchay Verma is planning to add an accent wall to his living room. Apart from making traditional rangolis with coloured powder or flowers, Ria Amin has some interesting DIY plans that include decorating lovely glass jar lanterns to spruce up her home’s shelves and balconies. Divyanshi Mishra plans to go green with her décor by incorporating more green plants into it, bringing a touch of nature and freshness to the festivities.
FASHION
It’s always fun to express oneself through fashion, and the festive season presents plenty of opportunities to play dress-up. This year, many people plan to shop their own wardrobes to re-wear, repurpose or restyle old pieces in new ways, in order to be sustainable and fashionable at the same time.
Niharika Jain plans to wear a traditional yet contemporary outfit this Diwali, which could be a beautiful saree or an elegant lehenga with intricate embroidery and vibrant colours. Sharing her best styling tips, she says, “Styling for card parties and other Diwali events is all about balancing tradition and modernity. I love combining traditional ethnic wear with trendy accessories, like statement jewellery and stylish footwear, to create a fashionable yet cultural look.” She also advises people to shop their own wardrobes by mixing and matching different pieces, “Perhaps pair a classic kurta with a trendy skirt or style a traditional choli with contemporary jeans. Don’t forget to experiment with accessories to complete the look.”
Priyanshu Modi also enjoys indulging his traditional side during this festive season. He says, “I like to pay special attention to what my general aesthetic is, so whatever I wear stands out and also compliments my personality. I think people should style themselves according to what goes well with their individual personalities and the vibe they want to radiate towards others. Once this has been identified, they can work towards assembling their wardrobe.
”Vandana Pathak pairs vintage sarees with modern blouses made in unusual fabrics or with differently styled and flattering cuts to create unique looks. “Shopping your own wardrobe is personal, sustainable, and helps you to create the best memories, making every Diwali special,” she shares.
Aashi Adani feels this is the time to experiment with fusion outfits, aiming for a balance between traditional and trendy. She describes her go-to outfit as an elegant wraparound saree with statement jewellery or something “boho chic”. Varun Agrawal turns to social media for fashion inspiration. He enjoys hunting down designers and styles, and to these he enjoys adding a nice shawl borrowed from his mother. “I think this instantly elevates the look, adding a touch of sophistication,” he shares.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com