The Lantern festival

After a fun filled celebration of Diwali, ‚the festival of lights‘, it was time to celebrate ‘The Laternefest‘ in my son’s crèche. It literally means the lantern festival, something, similar to our Diwali festival! It was organized by the crèche authorities and the notice was displayed almost a month ago asking the parents to confirm their presence. I had put my response long back and was looking forward to the event. It was going to be our first event at the crèche with the German kids and their families, so was little excited and nervous. 11^th November, Saint Martin’s day is the day when this Laternfest is celebrated every year.

We gathered at 4 pm in the crèche and the turnout was quite good. Many parents had prepared the lantern at home, I hadn’t! So I had the option of picking up one from the lot which was kept for parents like me who couldn’t manage doing it at home. The director, Miss Schiffer was the only amongst staff who was participating in the procession with a group of kids as most of the parents were there for the event. She led us all. We got out of the crèche with our lanterns and children at about 4.15 pm. The lantern had a stick and an automatic light, which could be switched on and off with the help of a button. It was so innovative. I couldn’t have imagined something like this in India, where the lanterns light up only with the help of electric current. It was decided to walk a particular stretch near the crèche and we set off in groups with our kids. There were kids of all shapes and sizes. Some were in the pram, some wanted to walk. We walked a distance, waited at one spot, sang one song and then moved ahead. The handout of songs was already made available to us. I sang with other parents too, it was fun, singing in German, first time in 15 years after I learnt German. I had sung German songs while doing the courses in Max Muller Bhavan. I heard a lot of German music later, but hadn’t got a chance to sing in German. It felt good. My toddler obviously had no clue of what was happening. He was happily walking on the road with his best friend, Julian and giving poses for pictures, which was taken care by the director’s husband, Mr. Schiffer. We were also trying to mingle with other parents by talking to them about various topics. It was a nice walk with lot of talking, cheering, singing. The weather was also optimal for a walk and as it is the beginning of winter, it became dark by 5-5:15. 

We took a round and came back to the crèche. Bretzels, cake, hot tea was awaiting us and we all munched on the goodies interacting with each other. We all returned the lantern sticks so that they can be used next year and went home with a smile on our face. It was a well organized, well managed event with so many kids around. The patience and perseverance of the staff taking care of the kids spoke so much without words actually. They all made this event a hit, with and without their presence, but with their planning love and affection.

Happy Diwali!

India, as everybody is aware of, is a land of festivals and one of the festivals celebrated on a grand scale is Diwali, festival of lights! It is a festival celebrated elaborately for 4 days depending on the lunar calendar. This year, this festival was all the more special, because I celebrated it with my extended family. We met here in Stuttgart, on the basis of our common mother-tongue and slowly we became stronger and closer and organized. This year, we celebrated many events and one of it was the grand get-together for Diwali celebrations and it was a great success.

A preparatory meeting was held to discuss about the proceedings for that particular day and the girls quickly chipped in with ideas, games and of course the main thing, delicious Indian food, homemade food by all lovely girls in the group. Responsibilities were taken, decisions were made, arrangements were taken care of, and hall was booked. And the day dawned. It was Sunday, 3^rd November 2013. The weather was rainy and chilled, but that didn’t dampen our spirits and enthusiasm. Most of the girls wore beautiful saris and the children were smartly dressed in traditional wear. Men also got to know each other and they mingled with friends, taking care of their kids as well, while the girls were busy on stage and back stage.

VP and MC welcomed one and all and gave a fair idea of the events during the day and thus our day began with the puja (worship) of goddess Laxmi, who bestows wealth to her deities. It was carried out by the in-laws of a fellow member, SG. They, both being quite senior in age and experience praised us for this initiative and blessed us with many more good times together. It was VP’s son’s birthday and he cut cake in our presence and we sang the English and the German version of the song and clapped for him and blessed him. 3 delicious cakes were of keen interest to all the small kids gathered there. We all had our share later during the lunch time. Up next was a dance performance on the song ‘navlai majhi laadachi ga’ from the movie, English Vinglish’ by MC, DB and DG. It was a sight to watch. All the people were whistling, shouting, cheering and suddenly after the ladies ended their performance, all the other girls joined in for a second round and they danced very gracefully in a big circle on the same song. Laughter, cheering, whistles filled the hall again. After that the small kids danced to the famous Marathi balgeet ‘Asava sundar chocolate cha bangla’. DG was the choreographer and she was guiding them sitting opposite to them. The kids were so adorable. Some were dancing, some were looking here and there, some were forgetting the steps, but each and every one of them was enjoying to the core. Fathers and Mothers were cheering them and they completed their performance with a huge round of applause. There was also a solo performance of AS’s son and he danced well to the Marathi song of Salil Kulkarni, ‘kon dete kon dete’. I was really amazed at the confidence of these kids. How well they presented themselves with no fear of new faces or crowds. I do not remember how I reacted on stage, when I was 3 or 4 years old. But all these kids really brought a smile on our faces and made us proud.

Next up were KG and HP. KG was on Santoor and HP on a Peruvian drum. They presented the raag ‘Bhup’ from the Hindustani Classical Music stream and it was a treat for the ears. It was extremely relaxing and soothing and there couldn’t have been a better occasion than Diwali to present such a melodious performance so rooted in our culture. Up next was the versatile DG again, this time with her solo performance. She danced with grace and dedication as always. This time the song was ‘Kahe chhede mohe’ from the movie Devdas! As usual she put up an outstanding performance and the hall was again filled with cheers and laughter and claps. Then there was a Kathak dance performance by SG and her 8 year old student, JP’s daughter. Without music, without accompaniment, just on the basis of oral commands, they both put up an excellent and graceful performance. SG is a trained dancer, she had to be good, but the 8 year old JP was the cherry on the cake.

There was a huge room called the Kinderzimmer where there were lot of toys for the small kids and most of the kids were busy in this room, letting their moms and dads enjoy the program. I couldn’t follow much of the program because I was after my one and half year old, who was going everywhere else than where he was supposed to and hence I was after him all the time. Then we all took a break for lunch. All the girls had cooked something or the other and it was quickly assembled on the table along with the plates, spoons and water amongst other things. The menu was awesome. Puri, Potato bhaaji, choley, pulav, gulab jamun and raita, salad. A well thought menu prepared with great love and affection by all the girls for each other’s families on a festive occasion like Diwali! Everybody was happy, content and had a smile on the face. The food made us sleepy and lethargic, but then quickly a game called mix and match was played. Chits of the names were to be picked out and 2 people had to talk with each other and then 3 qualities of the other person had to be told to the public. It was nice fun. This was planned by AB and her husband. Girls also played sangit khurchi (musical chair) and dumb charades. Then it was tea time along with the delicious Diwali faral, again prepared by the girls. Heavenly! Time flew like crazy and we did not realize that it is 5 pm. Before leaving, the room had to be cleaned, the remaining food had to be sorted out and crackers had to be lighted. With all this taken care perfectly by the girls, the families left with satisfaction and happiness and this day was carved in the memories of one and all that were present that day. Day well spent in a country, where we all have come for job purpose, for studying for taking care of the house and kid, while the husband works. We all are far from our motherland, from our parents and friends. But we have found each other here and happy to be one big extended family.

Girls! Great show! No fights, no gossips, no heart breaks. Amazing na? Women power rocks! I thank you all for this wonderful day. Though, I couldn’t contribute much to the event, I enjoyed being a part of it along with my son and husband. I look forward to many more bonding times ahead!

Amen