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Ayodhya
is not where the action is
While for the rest of the world Deepawali marks Lord Ram’s return to
Ayodhya, this city itself celebrates Chhoti Diwali, the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, with far greater gaiety, reports
Shahira Naim
 As
long as eminent jurist L. M. Singhvi was alive, he first greeted the
present-day Raja of Ayodhya, Vimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, on Deepawali
before he wished anyone else, reveals poet-prince of Ayodhya Yatinder
Mishra, reclining on the sofa of his majestic Rajsadan baithak. It was hundreds of years
ago that another prince of Ayodhya had returned from a 14-year exile,
which had concluded with a decisive victory over the then King of Lanka.
Kanak Bhavan is a major attraction of Ayodhya
Leading lights
Though the death of some Bollywood stalwarts has cast a shadow on the festival of lights this season, stars share plans for spreading cheer, going green and more, writes
Jyothi Venkatesh
Revelry
in time of new release
Shah
Rukh Khan
Any film that is released during Diwali gets a big fillip because of the
timing — you get a 10 per cent increase in business. Ra.One
could also have come post-exams, as a summer release, but since any film
coming around Diwali has an advantage, it’s been timed with this
festival. So, if you want your festivities to start on a high note, go
see Ra.One, as it’s a happy film.
FESTIVAL FAD
Shoma A. Chatterji
Go
Green this Diwali. This has become the flavour of the season over the
past several years across the board among NGOs, the media, social
programmes, clubs and even the youth. But is it a temporary fad among
the youngsters, a fashion statement of its kind? Or is it a commitment
born out of a mission to save not only the environment but also the
lives of all living beings?
Worshipping Kartikeya
The younger brother of Lord Ganesha is welcomed fondly by the women in West Bengal’s red light areas, who, they hope, will emancipate them, writes
Annam Suresh
The
bright red sari with chamki all over is set off by the sharply
contrasted parrot green choli with heavy mirror work. The cheap
imitation jewellery and glass bangles jangle in rhythm with silver
anklets as her feet tap in gay abandon. Her kajal runs in streaks
down her cheeks caked with powder and cheap rouge. She looks gaudy, she
looks crass, she looks the harlot she is. But today, she looks happy,
carefree.
Sweet alert
Diwali cheer rings diabetes alarm for Indians, says
David Lalmalsawma
It’s
festival season in India, with the celebrations providing a perfect
opportunity for family outings, late-night parties and customary
feasting on sweets. But health experts warn that the festivities,
coupled with genetic predisposition and lifestyle changes brought about
by the increasing prosperity of the middle class, is contributing to the
country being called the world’s "diabetes capital," with
the highest number of diabetics in any nation.
Faith and festivity
Diwali stands out as a symbol of religious and communal harmony. Sikhs and Hindus have been jointly celebrating the festival for centuries, writes
Varinder Singh
The
mere thought of Diwali
sparks myriad sparkling perceptions and thoughts about loads of
illumination and sweets as it is a festival of a beautiful combination
of joy, hope, commitment, coherence, harmony and that of shimmering
lights.
From Lakshmi with love
The festival of lights means decorating houses with diyas and bursting firecrackers all night. Pujas are performed to invoke the blessings of Goddess
Lakshmi, says
Lakshman Patel
For
most of us, Diwali means a festival of lights – of decorating houses
with rows of lamps (hence Deepawali) and bursting firecrackers all
night. There would be goodies at home, new clothes, pujas and
rituals to invoke the blessings of goddess Lakshmi`85 and so on.
Decorations up for grabs
As India gets ready to celebrate the festival of lights, the market is flooded with the latest Diwali
artworks that you can choose to make this festive season a special one, reports
Supriyo Hazra
Diwali
is not simply an occasion
where it all ends with the worshipping of the deity or with fireworks,
it can be called a festival that brings life to millions who eagerly
wait for this one day of merrymaking. Households gear up to buy the best
decorations and products that promise`A0to make the festival a memorable
one.
Festival of gods
Dev Deepawali is a unique spectacle held on the ghats of Varanasi during Kartik
Purnima, which is held on the 15th day after Diwali, writes
Shahira Naim
It
is a breathtaking scene, as innumerable earthen lamps float away on
River Ganga. The ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of
shimmering diyas. This is a unique tribute by the people of the
city to the holiest of rivers on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, which
is celebrated in the city as Dev Deepawali.
Sci-fi, comedy, drama to
sizzle screens
The festival of lights will see a 3-D superhero (Ra.One), a philandering husband
(Damadamm!) and a daughter in search
of her father (Tell Me O Kkhuda) in theatres. Deepa Karmalkar predicts boxoffice results this festive season
Conventionally
Diwali is regarded as the most auspicious time for a film release by the
Hindi film industry. "That’s the time when people get their
bonus, they are in a mood to spend a lot of money and take their
families for outings. An ideal time for a film release," indicates
Udaya Tara Nayar, veteran entertainment journalist.
John in action
Shoma A. Chatterji checks out with John Abraham, about his latest film, Force, which got him the highest opening of his career
John
Abraham’s Force has
received a good opening at the boxoffice worldwide with the film’s
collection in the first week hitting Rs 22 crore, including Rs 16 crore
from India.
FRUIT FACTS
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