Celebration Archives

How to Fake It, If You Can’t Fly It: A Cheat Sheet to Makar Sankranti

My relationship with Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti, is like that of a sibling. There’s a lot of cribbing, but at the end of the day, I’ve come to love it as my own. Windy afternoons and multiple attempts to fly a kite defined my childhood. Years later, I still can’t fly one, but I have chosen to accept my fate.

Abha Mehra July 21, 2016

POV

#EverydayPhenomenal: What Our Obsession with Over-Celebrating Weddings, Birthdays, and Now Even Divorces Says About Us

What’s with the multiple tawdry parties to celebrate a solitary life event like marriage? Unless you’re DeepVeer or Nickyanka – who also overdid it – the truth most people stuffing their faces with your ₹2,500-per-plate aren’t telling you is: No. One. Cares.

Sonali Kokra July 10, 2016

Culture

Lessons from Navratri in Gujarat: You May Not Get Laid, But You’ll Feel the Love

Like every outsider I believed Navratri in Gujarat was about music and mating. But after attending a garba night in Baroda, I learnt it wasn’t the sausage fest everyone thinks it is. It’s just all of Baroda having the time of its life, soaking in the music, twirling, skipping, and jumping.

Deepak Kaul June 28, 2016

POV

“Humare Zamane Mein…” Why Eid Doesn’t Feel Festive Anymore

The Eids of my childhood weren’t spectacular or unforgettable, but they are still imprinted in my memory because at that time, the day didn’t exist as an excuse to impress others. Unfortunately, today, Eid has been reduced to a routine.

Faheem un May 27, 2016

Sports

It Feels Like Monday, The World Cup Must Be Over

In the headiness of the World Cup, it became difficult to keep up with the calendar. It was easier to recall that you met someone when Croatia played Nigeria, or the meal you had when France escaped Peru. The trouble for us, who degenerated into this new system of date-keeping is that the World Cup has come to an end.

Priyansh May 14, 2016

POV

Deepika-Ranveer Ki Shaadi: An Extended Diwali Celebration for Good News-Deprived India

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli promoted their wedding with a Manyavar ad, Sonam Kapoor ended up marrying Anand Ahuja to promote Veere Di Wedding. So it’s only fair that Deepika and Ranveer get to enjoy their innumerable wedding announcements on Koffee With Karan.

Kalpak Bhave May 4, 2016

Culture

Eat, Pray, Repeat: The Monotony of Eid

Every Eid begins with Amma waking you up early to help her in the kitchen. Abba refuses to give you Eidi as you are an “independent adult”. The rest of the day is spent watching Eid transmissions on TV and eating mutton pilaf, instead of the chicken biryani you asked Amma to prepare.

Fizza A. April 14, 2016

People

All That We Can Be Thankful for in 2017

This year, India made significant jumps on its social development indices and we also leapt to the top 100 in the “ease of doing business” rankings.

Arré April 7, 2016

Earth

Toxic Air Killed 1.2 Million Indians in 2017. Why Are We Still Celebrating With Firecrackers?

From inaugurations of events like the IPL to star-crossed lovers in our films staring dreamily into the distance as the sky lights up with fireworks, we’re hostage to the belief that no celebrations are complete until a few rockets have been fired into the night sky.

Oishorjyo March 16, 2016

POV

Mumbai’s Strange New Year Tradition: Chokeslamming an Old Man’s Effigy and Setting Him Ablaze

As the end of 2019 is upon us, I think I’ll give year-end parties a miss. This year, I’ll go back to celebrating how we used to – by setting ablaze an effigy in the shape of an old dude and Santa’s mask, that represents the year gone by. This uniquely Mumbai-Goa tradition is our version of the Burning Man.

Jay Pikle March 15, 2016