Diwali Then and Now: Are We Losing the Meaning Behind the Festival?

Diwali is the shorthand of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, signifying the festival of lights, the triumph of good over evil, and the return of Lord Rama to the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Today’s Diwali, however, might look a little different. The datebook is packed well before Dhanteras with parties to celebrate the spirit of Diwali. Wearing last year’s look is certainly out of the question, and amidst all this pandemonium, scrolling through the hundredth Diwali #OOTD post on Instagram, and RSVP’ing to yet another function, we asked our community members whether the humble origins of Diwali lost their meaning?

What does Diwali mean to you, and what traditions would you want future generations to carry forward or leave behind?

Diwali, for me, is a celebration of new beginnings and a fresh start. It is a celebration of happiness and wisdom shared with loved ones.

When I think of Diwali, I think of the fireworks, diyas, rangolis, Indian sweets, and mounds of vegetarian food for me to devour. That is my Diwali.

I would want to pass down everything I have been taught and have my future children pass that on for generations to come. The only thing I would want to let go of is the stereotype surrounding Indian festivities. Our celebrations are not just limited to Indians, they are for everyone!

Do Diwali parties come with pressure to impress?

Diwali parties don’t always look the same. It could be a super traditional gathering or an elaborate one with DJs and entertainers that happen to take place on the same dates as Diwali.

I believe that there is a pressure to host or attend a party in general, period. During the festive season though, the pressure looks different. It is more so to match the theme and make sure that everyone has a great time, the occasion only comes once a year!

Do you think Diwali helps people connect with their roots or is it more performative for social media?

I’m very grateful and fortunate to come from a family that has always respected our Indian culture. I make a conscious effort to recognise this part of my identity every day.

I believe and hope that Diwali celebrations could certainly be the same, even if not posted online! It’s always been about light, love, and joy.

What does Diwali mean to you? What part of Diwali will you hand down to your children and what will you let go of?

To me, Diwali means reflecting on the year that has passed, and taking the time to spread kindness. A large part of it is also about appreciating everything that we have been blessed with in this life.

For my future children, I would definitely pass down our family tradition of beginning Diwali by doing a puja at home and lighting diyas for the home together. Partying is also a must!

I would let go of lighting firecrackers, because I’ve grown up learning how harmful they are to our Earth.

Does Diwali spark a surge of “Indian-ness” in you and do you think it is, in part, because of what’s posted on social media?

I think I do feel more Indian, or at least more connected to my culture during Diwali and the festive season, beginning from Ganesh Chaturthi.

If Diwali was not posted on socials, it would definitely look different. I would not say that would affect how much I dress up, because Diwali has always meant dressing up in new clothes and looking my best since I was a child.

Are Diwali parties less about celebrating the festival and more about the spectacle? Do you think people feel pressured to attend or host these parties?

I do think that Diwali parties have become a little bit more about the spectacle, rather than about celebrating the festival.

Perhaps it is just a way to see more friends and extended family during the busy festive season, but there are definitely expectations to attend these parties and dress up even more than you would at a Diwali celebration at home.

I would say that the pressure comes from social media once again, since we always desire to appear booked, busy, and “having the time of our lives”.

Do you feel more Indian at Diwali, or simply more aware of your roots? And would the way you celebrate change if social media didn’t exist?

Diwali makes me more conscious of my Indian identity, rather than making me more Indian. When you live and work away from India, your identity is not something you switch on for a festival. It is part of who you are, shaped by your upbringing and heritage. Diwali brings all of that to the surface.

We have lived in eight countries and raised two third-culture kids. For our children, festivals like Diwali have been an important bridge to their Indian roots. They haven’t grown up with the same experiences but can develop their own connection to that heritage through our celebrations. It may be less about feeling more Indian for a day and more about understanding a part of who they are.

Social media has certainly changed the way we celebrate. It allows us to amplify the joy with family and friends across the world. We have been living outside India before the advent of social media and Diwali was as meaningful then as it is now with social media.

For me, the real measure of a good Diwali is not how impressive it looks in a photograph, but how connected you feel to the people around you.

Which traditions or values would you want your children to carry forward, adapt or leave behind?

For our children growing up internationally, I think this becomes even more important. Their identity may not fit neatly into any one box, and I think that is a strength rather than a contradiction.

I would want my children to inherit a connection to their Indian roots without feeling that they have to choose between being Indian and belonging to the wider world. My hope is that they carry the values forward, even if the way they celebrate evolves with time.

What would I let go of? The idea that there is one right way to celebrate Diwali. I would rather my children preserve the essence of Diwali than feel obliged to observe every custom to prove their cultural identity.