Celebrate Diwali in style
Diwali is not just about the twinkling lights, food and fireworks, but also about special clothing that brings out inner light.
Various communities wear special attire on Diwali and these vibrant costumes are part of a long-standing tradition that has continued down the ages.
Kesavan Pillay, chairman of Bhairavi Sungum of Springs, says the vibrant, eye-catching, traditional attire that people wear during the Festival of Lights is more colourful than fireworks and brighter than the twinkling lights and small lamps (diyas) that burn during the festival.
Every community is dressed in its own grand, unique and traditional attire on this occasion.
This festival sees men, women, young people and children make use of the opportunity to wear bright, ethnic clothing.
Diwali celebrates gratefulness to the goddess Lakshmi through a form of worship called Pooja or Puja.
Kesavan says appropriate attire is both traditional and trendy.
Women wear elegant garments (sarees) made from silk, crepe, chiffon and velvet.
The men dress in a classic but contemporary shirt (kurta) which is worn with a piece of material tied around the waist and extended to cover most of the legs (dhoti).
He says young girls wear brightly decorated costumes in the form of a full-length skirt (lehengas), whereas the boys can dress up in suits or choose to be more comfortable in jeans and T-shirts.
Even little children love dressing up in colourful robes and dresses.
“Clothing must reflect excitement and joy during the celebration,” says Kesavan.
While some women flaunt designer styles, others opt for less extravagant, simpler festival attire.
Diwali captures the essence of light and illumination which is a cheerful time to dress for excess.
“To compliment the attire, the women add costume jewellery which symbolises the spirit of happiness and many many women have Henna also called Mehndi, a red dye, applied to their hands and feet,” he adds.
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