Merry Christmas!

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!