Just as you know Dussehra is only a few days away, everyone has started preparing for the holidays. We host a cultural program in our community every year during Dussehra and this year I will be performing a traditional dance. Last year I recited a rhyme, but since I was very afraid I could not finish the rhyme. I was surprised since mumma and dadda didn’t get angry; they said it happens. When you get on the stage and see so many people, you feel nervous – that is perfectly natural, so we will try and do better next time.

This year I will be dancing on a traditional song wearing a ghagra and choli. It is a traditional Indian dress and is kind of a skirt and blouse but it is very colourful with lots of designs and decorations on it. A veil matching with the skirt has to be put on and it makes you look even more beautiful. I have seen mumma’s photograph when she was small; she was wearing a red and green ghagra choli and she was looking so sweet. Mumma got a Rajasthani song and she is teaching me the steps. This is the first time I am hearing a Rajasthani song, but I like it very much. Mumma said Rajasthani dance involves a lot of turning, but she will teach me easier steps so that I can perform well. I have seen them in movies and I liked the dance very much. I have two more friends performing with me, so they come down to my place every evening and we practice together.

We have performed on stage before, in school but this is different. We have to perform in front of many unknown people. People from all the neighbourhoods would come down to see the program, so there would be many people gathered together. Last I was alone, so I got afraid; this time I am performing with my friends, so I hope I will feel confident.

One of my friend’s mother stitches very well and she will be making the dresses for us. She has already taken the measurements and got the materials as well. Mumma said once the dresses are ready we will wear them once and rehearse on stage so that we will feel comfortable performing on the final day. We will also wear many ornaments like Rajasthani girls do and dance like them.

For the time being we need to practice very well; mumma said co-ordination is very important to make the performance look good. So we need to make sure, we make the moves together. It’s only the second day that we have started practising; as we practice more we can do it perfectly. I hope grandpa, grandma and nanu would be here; they would have felt proud about me. I will tell dadda to record the dance and send it to them so they can see me dance. I am sure they will like it.

The holidays are knocking at the door and it is time again to have fun with mumma and dadda. Even though Christmas is far away, it is time to celebrate the Hindu festivals – Dussehra and Diwali. Last year mumma told me that Diwali is the festival of lights and during Dussehra we celebrate the end of evil. That is the reason why we burn the effigy of Ravana, who was a demon in Ramayana. He was the bad guy who took away Sita from Ram and held her captive in his kingdom. Hanuman, helped Ram to bring back Sita and kill Ravana. I told my friends about the significance of Dussehra; but they want to know the entire story. I told them to come home during the weekend and hear the story from mumma. Mumma said she will get a Ramayana DVD which we can watch to understand why we celebrate Dussehra.

We celebrate the major Hindu festivals in London with friends and family every year and the happy times are back. It is time to go shopping for new clothes and crackers. I love this time even more because mumma makes homemade sweets; if you get to eat them you will never eat sweets from the sweet shops. They are delicious and mouth-watering. I told mumma this time I want to buy a traditional Indian dress for Diwali; mumma said she will buy me one. I asked nanu to come over to our place if she can; she manages to come we can have even more fun. She is an amazing cook and knows a lot of stories about Indian gods.

Trafalgar Square in London is the place where all Indian gather to celebrate Diwali and Dussehra. Last time we went, there were live dance and music shows going on. There are several stalls which serve authentic Indian food; but I will homemade food because my mumma is the best cook. Some community halls even arrange for Navaratri celebrations where people dance and sing for nine days. Dandiya and garba are the main dance forms but you can do anything you want. I want to visit one Navaratri celebration this year and learn garba. I have seen garba videos and it seems so graceful.  Christmas is amazing in London, but there is a different charm during Diwali and Dussehra.

If you have never visited Trafalgar Square during this period of time, I would say you should. You can feel the Indian culture and experience the traditions. Last year mumma and dadda invited guests to our place and we had a great time bursting crackers together. I hope they come over this year also. I wait for this time of the year because everyone comes home with gifts, chocolates, sweets and dry fruits. Mumma and dadda also give away gifts to the guests.

Just two to go and we will start celebrating! I can’t wait anymore….time fly away quickly…please!