Creative treats all the rage
FROM water sensor lamps to kids painting their own Diwali cookies and designer rangolis, Hindus are exploring new and creative ideas to celebrate the auspicious festival.
This year’s Diwali is expected to be even more special, after two years of Covid restrictions. People will be able to celebrate the festival with vigour and enthusiasm and cherish the festivities with friends, family and loved ones.
Verushka Ramsami, a lifestyle blogger on social media called the Spice Goddess, said people were opting for fusion ideas by mixing Eastern and Western in their food and clothing.
“Families are doing a bring and share or having their lunch or dinner catered. While a lot of people are making certain items, there are some who are buying sweetmeats. People are decorating their homes with fancy lamps and lights as well as doing rangoli artwork.
“With Covid having been a damper, people are looking to celebrate with others again. While there are new and modern trends we are still able to go back to our roots and culture and maintain certain family traditions,” said Ramsami. Aradhana Durjan, author of the Modern Hindu Lifestyle Journal, said there was a lot of enthusiasm this year with everyone wanting to celebrate and everybody wanting to do it authentically.
“People are paying a lot more attention to how they spend their day. From a lot of the food bloggers, the nostalgic aspect is creeping in with people looking for the authentic sweetmeat recipes, like burfee and gulab jamun,” said Durjan.
Ishmini Hiralall of Cake Ish in Kenville said she has kept her traditional flavours but presented her sweetmeats in a uniquely different way.
Among her creations is a mini sugar cone dipped in chocolate and covered with pistachio nuts and topped with burfee. Another is an Oreo burfee and
an apple-shaped burfee.
“I received a number of requests for the burfee in its different variations. Everyone’s looking for new, creative ideas, while still having the traditional sweetmeat,” said Hiralall.
Westville mom Latanya Lakhraj, who runs a home industry, has created a cookie painting kit to keep children occupied and get them into the spirit of Diwali.
“The biscuits come with a basic design like a mini colouring sheet. When the water from the brush is applied onto the different parts of the biscuit it changes into different colours.
“Children can paint them and get to eat them afterwards. The biscuit packs are sold at R32 each and you can choose between a print of a boy or a girl,” said Lakhraj.
Verusha Balgobind, who runs the Made in India shop in Umhlanga, said she wanted to offer innovative, creative products.
“Instead of the messy oil lamps we have a water sensor lamp. Once you add water into the plastic diya, which looks like a clay lamp, it lights up,” said Balgobind.
Henna art sneakers to complement the punjabi, sari or traditional attire have gained popularity, said Therusha Chetty of Desi Designs.
“These sneakers come in bright colours and have a regal type of design,” she said.
While presenting the traditional sweetmeats, people are looking for new trays or boxes like laser cut wooden boxes and wooden boards.
Suderia Singh of Silverglen said she and her husband were making personalised wooden boards that could have a person’s name, or Diwali image.
“It is customised to people’s specifications. These boards can then be used again,” said Singh.