The simplicity and innocence of my childhood Deepavalis imbued happiness in a way taash parties or alcohol never can. My only grouse if it all is the fact that I was only ever a spectator, never a participant in my grandmother’s culinary rituals and I think she preferred it that way. It was indeed her territory. Though someday, when I become a mother, I think I would want to involve my child in whatever little way I can, in my kitchen endeavours. What are we without memories suffused with a little bit of mess and playfulness?