Why buy Mixed Media Art this Diwali?

This is an impromptu blog that I just felt like penning down. Here is something about Diwali from my perspective and why I believe one should buy mixed media art on this occasion.

Diwali for me is a time of family, love and togetherness. It’s about looking back at the year gone by and seeing all that I have done, it is about being thankful for everything in my life right now. It means being grateful for my friends, my family, my education both formal and informal, everything I have had the privilege to experience this year.

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is a Hindu festival celebrated in many parts of India and Nepal. The name originates from Sanskrit ‘Deepavali’ which means “row of lamps”. Deepa refers to ‘lamp’ and vali means ‘row’. It has become customary for celebrants to illuminate houses, gardens, shops and public areas with diyas (small oil lamps) during the festive season. When families come together on this auspicious day they are reminded that there is always light within even when there is darkness without. Millions of people celebrate Diwali by performing puja in their homes at the end of every year. This includes offering thanksgivings for all that has been done for them, or for all that they have done throughout the year.

What is involved in Diwali celebrations?

During the festival of Diwali, Hindus celebrate by performing puja which includes offering prayers and foods to Lord Ganesha and Lakshmi Puja. The entire house is cleaned before the day of the festival begins with fresh flower arrangements made at entrances. Homes are decorated with sparkling lights, candles are lit on balconies outside homes, colored electric lamps cover every corner of rooftops and walls are adorned with symbols of good luck. It is customary on this day to buy new clothes for children, family members and friends as a symbol of best wishes towards them. Auspicious items like fruits, sweets, gifts etc are also gifted to friends, family members and colleagues.

What is the significance of Diwali lamps?

Lamps hold spiritual significance in Hinduism. A traditional lamp usually denotes divinity because it symbolizes knowledge, enlightenment and wisdom. They are kept on during Diwali night to keep away all darkness and evil eyes. The light which the oil lamps emit is very bright but pure since no heat emanates from them. Thus it has become an integral part of Deepawali for homes to be illuminated by diyas powered with vegetable oil or ghee. There are many stories associated with lamps that have been passed down through generations which symbolize different things for different people at different times in history. For example, Hindus believe that Diwali brings good luck and illuminates the path to future prosperity.

What does Diwali signify?

Deepawali also symbolizes overcoming darkness and ignorance by knowledge and wisdom. Lamps are lit not just in Hindu homes but at temples, places of worship etc because people believe light triumphs over darkness. Light is a universal symbol that signifies God to many religions. In Sanskrit, ‘Jyot’ means light while ‘Purush’ means man or soul. Thus when Hindus pray they pray for spiritual elevation from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge. According to an old Indian tradition if a lamp is kept on during Deepavali night then all miseries will be driven away from that house forever.

What is a traditional Diwali meal?

A typical Indian Diwali meal usually consists of sweet dishes like laddus, barfis and payasam. However, the primary course consists of rice items which are basmati rice with vegetable pulao, jeera rice or an aromatic biryani etc. Fish is also sometimes added to the menu as it is believed to have calming effects on people during celebrations. There are many other traditional dishes prepared for this celebration but everyone varies their preparation according to their own family preferences. Many sweets and savories made from gram flour (like Lachha paratha), carrots etc are also a part of the festive diet.

Why do we celebrate Diwali?

Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated as the day of light because it signifies Lord Rama’s triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and bringing back his kidnapped wife, Sita. It is a major cultural event in India that helps us uphold our ancient culture and pass it on from one generation to another. Many parts of India observe Diwali in their own unique ways according to local traditions but all communities celebrate this festival with great fervor and enthusiasm.

What do we give to each other during Diwali?

During Diwali, everyone lights up their homes with oil lamps filled with Ghee (Clarified Butter) which signify the triumph of good over evil. Homes are also decorated with flowers and colorful paper lamps. On this festive day people will send gifts to their family, friends and relatives and receive them as well. Sweets and savories made from gram flour (like Lachha paratha), carrots etc are also a part of the festive diet.

What is Rangoli?

Rangoli is a special type of art that is laid out on floors usually during Diwali night or Deepavali morning. It can be done with regular white rice powder or multicolored powders but nowadays many professionals have come up who design beautiful rangolis for homes at reasonable prices so that one can procure readymade rangolis instead of drawing it themselves. There are different patterns like swastik, bhujangapatanam, chakra, flower etc. Diwali is incomplete without drawing rangolis in front of your house which refreshes the environment and brings to it auspiciousness.

What are earthen diyas?

Earthen lamps or diyas are made out of clay during Diwali time by molding them into beautiful shapes like that of a lotus, elephant, swan etc. They are filled with oil and lit up every night during Deepawali to signify victory over darkness. These lamps also emit pure white light which is very soothing while sleeping at night instead of harsh electric lights which disrupts the biological clock (circadian rhythm) and causes insomnia. The heatless flame prevents heat-related pollution which destroys the environment.

How do earthen lamps purify the atmosphere?

Earthen lamps not only emit pure white light but also prevent air and noise pollution like that caused by crackers during Diwali time. Let us understand this in detail: Traditional Indian oil lamps or Diyas made out of clay use sesame oil instead of refined oil to avoid carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) and other deleterious elements in modern-day oils like vanaspati ghee etc. Burning sesame oil gives out a soothing smell that has sleep-inducing effects while its smoke contains a high amount of antioxidants (internal cleanser) when inhaled through the nose. These oil lamps along with flowers, Rangoli designs etc are used to decorate the house during Diwali which creates a beautiful atmosphere for celebrations.

How do earthen lamps improve our health?

Today’s electric lamps emit harmful ultraviolet rays (UVA, UVB) which damage cells in the skin and cause skin cancer. These intense lights harm plants as well by disrupting their biological clock which regulates photosynthesis that is vital for life on Earth. Modern Lamps also create air pollution through heat which is very dangerous during summers when the temperature is already high enough. Furthermore, most of these lamps are non-recyclable, non-biodegradable and contain carcinogenic compounds like lead etc which pollute soil and water bodies if not disposed of properly after usage or broken down at home.

What is the history of Diya or oil lamps?

Oil lamps were used by our ancestors even during Indus valley civilization (3000 BC) to light up their houses and premises, especially bathrooms. The modern-day diyas come in various designs like swan, elephant etc but are made out of clay which has been used since time immemorial because it absorbs heat slowly and emits less amount of heat, unlike plastic lamps. This is similar to how a thermos flask works which keeps tea/coffee hot for a long time without letting its temperature cross the boiling point so that it maintains its original properties. Recently, many R&D labs have developed solar-powered earthen lamps as well which will serve the dual purpose of saving electricity and increasing greenery.

Mixed media art is termed as an art form that involves more than one medium which enhances the visual appeal of a piece of work by merging colors, textures, shapes or even ideas.

This Diwali, why not go for mixed media wall hangings which are unique in their own way? For eg: One can purchase oil lamp shaped pictures with pictures showing famous Indian temples painted on it which would appear very attractive when lit up by earthen lamps during nighttime after hanging it on walls. Similarly, one can also buy mixed media art pieces during this festive season and add a splash of color to your walls. These art pieces double up as home decor and gift items for friends and family alike.

When you buy my mixed media art piece this Diwali, you will be supporting a very important cause – via our Dancing Rainbows NGO – that aims at giving back to underprivileged kids. For every art piece you buy, a lion share of the amount goes into supporting the children that my NGO supports. So this Diwali, be part of something that can make a huge impact on a child’s life. This Diwali, do something different, do something significant.

Remember to share our article on Diwali and comment below if you wish to buy my art pieces. You could also contact me on the email ID mentioned below in this blog!

You can check out my other art pieces here and follow my Instagram page.

Happy buying and Happy Diwali!