This morning at our home, as we prepare to receive guests (later in the evening) for our annual Diwali party, the house is abuzz with activity. Maryam (Misbah’s daughter) is on a Rajasthan trip with her father, Kymaia (my daughter) is with her mum in Mumbai, and Maa has come to stay with us for a few days. Vikas (my right-hand man) is putting up the flowers and toran, Maa (freshly bathed) is saying her morning prayers (Ramraksha) as she cooks batata poha (my favourite), Misbah (my partner) is wrapping return gifts of handmade diyas and sweets for the evening guests, the house-help is watering the plants, and I am lounging about in my silk robe and pyjamas with a cup of tea in my hand, the lord of all I survey, trying to look busy so no one gives me any work.*
Maa: “अथ ध्यानम । ध्यायेदाजानुबाहुं धृतशरधनुषं बद्धपद्मासनस्थं, पीतं वासो वसानं नवकमल दलस्पर्धिनेत्रं प्रसन्नम् ।…”
Me: “Maa, I was thinking…”
Misbah: “Shhhh!!! अरे, सब्र! माँ दुआ पढ़ रही हैं…”
Me: “दुआ…? Oh!”
I just realised how a secular Indian home could be, even with an atheist who mocks religion, a devout Hindu, and a practicing Muslim coexisting happily, as long as there is love and tolerance, even if the two believers have no clue about each others’ religions and the atheist knows more about them both (which is why he is an atheist in the first place).
As a young man, I used to mock the Indian version of secularism (which is totally different from actual, original secularism, where the state and church are entirely divorced), where we treat all religions as versions of truth and respect them equally. I don’t anymore. I am older. And probably wiser.
Happy Diwali everyone.
Photos below from later (the Diwali party)
* Note: Those of my more woke readers who will immediately scream ‘patriarchy’ should kindly fuck off! And I can assure them that those who know me in real life will join me in helping them fuck off!
