We are very lucky in Derby to be surrounded with cultures. I often feel that we timidly coexist while in fact inside we are almost bursting with curiosity and a wish to get to know each other and to join in with each other’s customs at least in some manner.
The Gita for Children by Roopa Pai has planted a strong seed in me. On that Halloween day, I felt a desire. I wanted to see Diwali celebrated for at least a few minutes. After all, it does not happen often enough when the two coincide.
This was a very short and spontaneous visit to a nearby shop. I got stuck in traffic on my way to our local Polish shop to buy a few things for our trip to the Lake District. While waiting in the car, I looked at the shop on the right. I felt instantaneously comforted. In the darkness that enveloped us, their lights were lit. People were joyfully chatting and pointing to the colourful sweets. They were about to take them home and share with their families. The atmosphere was festive and very inviting. I just finished trick-or-treating around our neighbourhood with my little ones. One was dressed as a black cat, the other as a ghost. I was pleased to see how many people celebrated both or all. There was an All Saints Day happening in our Catholic religion a day after.
This is the world we live in. I often sing this to myself while I’m trying to give myself the right to experience and celebrate our city’s diversity and the inherent beauty in what we can produce: in food, language, customs, lifestyles and endeavours. Living in Derby can be in so many ways like travelling the world…
So above is a short photos essay from our local vegetarian Indian take-away and a sweet centre – Krishna Sweet Centre in Derby. The owner has kindly agreed for me to photograph his shop. It features clothing and traditional diyas – the candle and oil holders. They are adorned with traditional patterns. The shop also displays dresses and hair ornaments. He directed me to the Hindu temple Geeta Bhawan. There, I saw the fireworks while the stars were shining. I was reminded that Krishna is the god that plays the flute. I saw the offerings and rang a bell in the temple. I asked very politely to be guided around the praying custom. Everyone was so kind.
More on this in the next post.
Postcards Without Stamps 