A tale of two communities

KOCHI: The Diwali celebrations is at its peak. The fervour can be experienced by taking a random walk through the pocket roads of Mattanchery. The area is literally agog with excitement and preparation to  lift the ‘aavali’ of ‘deepams’.Mattanchery is the heart of city's Diwali celebrations.  Gujarati, North Indian and the Tamil Brahmin communities live in this area harmoniously which gives a culturally diverse setting to the place. When you enter the Palace road, you first come across the Brahmin street ‘Thekke Madam’ - a calm and composed colony. Here we are greeted by a 67 year old lady who tells us excitedly the story of the assassination of Naragasuran, the evil demon. The Tamil Brahmins believe that the death of this demon king wipes out all evil from society, giving a fresh start. Diwali is celebrated as ‘Naragachaturdasy’ - an amavasya day as the sky turns dark. Everyone in the household takes oil baths  to invoke goddess Lakshmi. The children are blessed and gifted with new clothes.  Diwali sweets are exchanged among relatives and neighbours. The whole street is lined up with crackers in the midst of merriment.But go further into the Palace roads, and you come across Gujarati Road. As the name suggests, it remains a major dwelling of the Gujarati community. For them Diwali is not a mere festival, but a social gathering. Smitha, a staffer with the Shri Cochin Gujarati Mahajan tells us about the various celebration organised for the coming days. Besides the rangoli and aarti competitions on 28th and 29th, various cultural programmes, are also planned.The buzz for Diwali is best seen in the sweet shops. Thushar Bhai, a sweet shop owner is lost among hundreds of customers impatiently waiting for jalebis ladoos and burfis. For those with a sweet tooth, the Mahajan has also organised Anand Bazar -  a food fest with  eight stalls serving North Indian, Gujarati and Marwari food. They are also organising the Dandia Raas Garba- a night to show the age old generation. So walk into the streets of Matanchery this Diwali and you will be welcomed by these two communities, who believe in two different mythologies, yet coming together to celebrate one festival. With an array of programmes for the next few days, the Diwali celebrations at Matanchery definitely looks promising.