Vrata Shetty
SPECIALIST ENDODONTIST AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF REX MEDICAL CENTRE
Vrata Shetty grew up in Dubai as her parents have lived in this country for over 40 years. She remembers her childhood memories of Diwali as huge gatherings, eating lots of sweets, food and a lot of fun. ‘The joy and excitement for Diwali are much the same now as it was in my growing years.’
Vrata remembers her mother starting the ritualistic Diwali cleaning of the house days in advance. ‘All the silverware and brass used was polished to perfection by my sister and me – albeit reluctantly. We could smell the aroma of sweets being prepared at home even before we entered the home after school days.’
‘We would get together with aunts and cousins and make huge quantities of crispy snacks and sweets, mainly ‘chakkulis’ (a savoury) and boondi laddoos. The hustlebustle of Diwali shopping for clothes and jewellery used to be an emotional experience, a lot of anticipation for the new clothes that our parents selected for us.’
Twinkling colourful lights used to be put up on the balconies signifying the start of the celebrations. ‘Having an oil bath on the morning of Diwali, we would feast on Methi dosas while my father would narrate the story behind the festival’s significance. We heard the same story every year, making it a part of the rituals.
‘We always have huge gatherings at home – up to 70 guests these days. The celebrations run late into the night with friends and family filling our home with warmth and light, sharing homemade sweets, exchanging gifts and making precious memories.’
‘We still make a lot of sweets at home, much like we did earlier, and now it’s my daughter, son and nephews who help keep the traditions alive. My husband Mithun and I plan to celebrate Diwali this year too with our family and friends while following the social distancing norms.’