When someone mentioned the Festival of Lights, I automatically thought of Hanukah. Or even Christmas. Not any more.
This past Sunday, Jay and I went to a Diwali celebration at the home of our friends, Trupti and Jag.
Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights, a 5-day event celebrated worldwide by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. In the northern hemisphere, it’s commemorated every year in the fall (spring in the southern hemisphere) and is one of the major festivals of Hinduism.
According to Wikipedia, the holiday spiritually symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Millions of lights shine in homes, temples, and other buildings where it is observed.
And so when we walked into the house, there were lights everywhere! The whole house was decorated and felt very festive.
Trupti said me she’s not an artist like me, that she just likes to arrange food trays and banquet tables, however, this striking rangoli design would suggest otherwise.
Rangoli made of natural foods, flowers and lights by Trupti
And there was food, lots of it, including beautifully presented sweets – a treat for this artist on multiple levels. Trupti gave me the “grand tour” of a tables full of goodies she prepared herself. I was glad we got there early to see the displays in tact.
The bonus was that I have an inspiration for a food painting from a colorful dessert that Trupti made, mostly of nuts, and put in this decorative octagonal purple box. There’s an image in my head of a painting that is more abstract usual, playing the colors and shapes, a la Paul Klee. I wonder how it will come out. We shall see, won’t we?
Let me introduce you to Jag, Trupti’s husband, sitting on the swing with Jay. Next time I’ll remember to photograph the hostess and host together.
While I was taking food photos, Kokila, one of Trupti’s friends, showed me the most amazing food “paintings” made of fruits and nuts for a recent family wedding.
Both of these platters represented traditional Indian wedding outfits with striking designs. The cashews on the hem of the dress and down the front of the tunic were the first foods I recognized. The dark areas are pieces of figs which are stuck together.
This ambitious project was undertaken by three friends for the occasion, and here they are. Great job, ladies!
Kokila also showed me these building displays from another event, all made from food – lots of cookies and wafers here, among other things . I was impressed by the planning that went into these designs and the meticulous execution needed to make them come together. I suspect it was a labor of love.
Of course, I can’t end this blog without giving credit to Trupti and TruFashions for my authentic Indian outfit, one of the most beautiful and comfortable that I own. I love the vibrant colors, textures, patterns and variety in Indian fashion and jewelry, which you could probably guess from my enthusiastic blog about the Vlisco exhibition – only this time we’re looking at exciting textiles from India instead of Africa.
It’s a joke between Trupti and I that she has to give a big party every year so I can wear my outfit. And I happily do. So I wonder what’s she is planning next… Whatever it is, I am looking forward to it.
Happy Diwali!
P.S. Thank you to Jyotin who sent me a photo of Trupti and Jag via Facebook after reading this post.
