So for my Christmas post I thought it suiting that I talk
about how I spent Diwali THE CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS, an Indian holiday around
Halloween. Because, it is what Hindus would call their equivalent to our
Christmas holiday. (though in recent years it has become more about lighting
off fire crackers {which is fueled by the same commercial machine here that
does July 4th} rather than the traditional methods of lighting small Dias
(lights/candles) and having togetherness.
Much like Christmas, there are days of celebrations leading
up to the BIG DAY (cue the 12 days of Christmas Indian style). So, on this day
Kelcie, Danielle, Allie (ASTEP volunteers) and I all journeyed to the home of
one of our kids: Yash. Please enjoy this picture of him dressed as The Tribal Queen, a Social Emotional exercise we did with the kids during our Diwali retreat where they have to dress up guys like the Tribal Queen using 17 found objects.
Yash is 13. He once told me he wants to be big and happy
like the Buddha. I, however, call him ReRun because he is always dancing and
smiling. He loves music, hip hop dancing, and everything in between. He is mildly
attempting to learn how to play the guitar and the piano all at the same
time--a young jack-of-all-trades and master of none if you will…though he is a
genius pop and lock-er. And, he is insanely outgoing and filled with nothing but love.
Yash lives alone with his father in a single sun-filled room
that acts as a rooftop apartment.
We arrived to breakfast with his papa—who is an engineer and a truly
proud papa at that! His wife died
when Yash was only 3, and spends a lot of time away for work. He actually
started crying when we talked about how he wants the best for Yash but its been
hard without a mama around. And, that he was glad that Yash had another man to
be his mentor. I then told him my new nickname of “Dadi Vadi Ma,” which means
THE BEARDED MOTHER, and that I would do the best I could to pick up the slack. (cue
grown men crying together talking about love and loss).
Yash then taught the ladies how to play Cricket, we took a photoshoot, and we met the extended family! A man (whom I will call UNCLE) and his daughter live below
Yash’s pad, and UNCLE has become a literal Uncle to Yash. His wife also died
when his children were young, and so he helps take care of Yash when his dad is
away. He and Yash’s dad also help
each other in times of lonliness and in strife. That is when we learned of
Yash’s nickname: Ladoo. This is a sweet ball of heaven that is served during
Diwali. It is round and full of goodness, much like Yash. And, I think over the
course of the day I had close to 12 ladoos. When I can’t stuff myself on my
Aunt Jo’s apple crisp for the holidays, the ladoo is not a bad replacement (spare
the stomach ache).
We then met Yash's gang! Literally…it reminded me of Stand By Me. The gang consisted of about 5-6 boys from throughout their beautiful tree shaded neighborhood. We spent the next couple hours going from house to house, meeting their families and seeing the Rangoli (sand art) that each had made for the festivities, as well as eating MORE sweets. Along the way, we also saw some awesome sand castle like things that are also made during Diwali. But, these castles are actually forts, or castles. Why you may ask?
They are to commemorate Shivaji. He is a Maharastran
Folk Hero. Back in the 1500’s a young spry 15 year old saw a huge disparity in
the fact that the Moguls were suppressing the people of Maharastra unjustly,
and thought it time to reclaim their independence. There were more of them then
there were of the Moguls, who lived very far away. But, he also saw the flaw in
the fact he was only 15-years-old. So, he shared his dream of freedom with his
friends. They then went on scouting missions to all the surrounding forts and
strongholds of the Moguls to devise a plan. Upon doing so, they realized that each
fort was poorly staffed though in geographically defensive key points seeing as
how most of them were on hilltops and surrounded by amazing gulleys or moats.
So, he and his friends became a band of merry men, and he Robin Hood. They
started a revolution by talking to the poor people working in the forts. And
soon, they were being snuck in at night with the aid of these insiders, and
slowly reclaimed all the forts in all of Maharastra. Pretty rad right? The
possibilities of a creative 15 year old are never for naught!!! So to celebrate
the occasion, young boys now build sand castle forts to commemorate.
We then ate an HUGE amazing lunch that consisted of my new
favorite dish: Pani Puri. It is like a sweet and spicy cinnamon/fruit nut
filled quesadilla that you dip in an unknown sauce. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! During
the lunch, we discussed all the projects we have been working on in Maya, what
changes they have seen with Yash (he apparently used to have discipline issues
though he is one of our best leaders), and in how we could better the country
of India. I felt like I was home. As we left, I felt like I had just had a
holiday with my family back home. And, I will no doubt go back soon. Here is another
reason why…
In Indian culture the men are insanely affectionate with
each other. In US culture, people would assume they are gay. (This is also why
during my first trip to India I wanted to create a photomontage to a retitled
song from LEGALLY BLONDE called IS HE GAY OR IS HE INDIAN). But
this is not the case. There most assuredly is a high percentage of closeted
homosexuals here (the recent passing of Amendment 377 is case in point why),
but it is more unabashed love than sexual. I see it amongst friends, kids with teachers, uncles and brothers, everybody. So, as we explored Yash’s neighborhood with the kids running
ahead, Yash’s dad slowly put his hand in mine. It made me take pause for a
second before I realized what was happening. There we were swinging our
entwined hands as I discovered and was shown his family’s community. I had been accepted and loved despite my
differences. To me- that is what family and the holidays are all about.
Happy Yule to you and yours!
