10/12/2026
As a child, I eagerly awaited Diwali each year,
For me, Diwali means creating colorful Rangoli — _Saathiyo_, as we called it in our Gujarati home.
In this painting, I revisit a cherished memory of winning prizes in Rangoli competitions: a young me seated with bowls of coloured powder, creating an intricate Rangoli, only for the same pattern to be gently swept away by wind and light. Its colorful particles rise as glowing memories and become eternal in memory and identity.
The painting celebrates Diwali’s eternal message — the triumph of light over darkness — while exploring themes of impermanence, cultural heritage, resilience, and the enduring power of childhood rituals.
Through this piece, I honor the traditions that shaped me and invite viewers to reflect on their own stories of light, home, and celebration.
❤️
