SHADES OF FESTIVITY
Outlook Traveller|October - November 2023
FROM AUTHOR ANAND NEELAKANTAN TO CHEF KUNAL KAPUR, EIGHT EMINENT PERSONALITIES SHARE THEIR CHERISHED FESTIVE MEMORIES
KUNAL KAPUR, BARRY O’BRIEN, ASHDEEN Z LILAOWALA, KUNZES ANGMO, ANAMIKA, SAMRAT BANERJEE, ANAND NEELAKANTAN, AVNER PARIAT
SHADES OF FESTIVITY

FESTIVALS USHER IN A SENSE OF RENEWAL.

Across most regions, it marks the beginning of a new season, the turning of time. And while it is about starting afresh, it is as much about pausing to share moments with loved ones that stay with us as memories. From Kunzes Angmo's Losar celebrations in Ladakh that remind her of how time and togetherness go hand-in-hand to Barry O'Brien's memories of Christmas in Calcutta in the 80s to chef Kunal Kapur's promise to carry on his mother's cooking traditions for Diwali, we bring you stories of cherished festive memories told by eight individuals from different walks of life and parts of India.

A CHEF'S DIWALI

Diwali holds a special place in my heart and it is when family takes centre stage in my life.

On the day of Diwali, our home would be adorned with decorations, and a lavish vegetarian feast would be the highlight. The days leading up to Diwali were equally enchanting. The whole house would come alive with the glow of diyas, with the bustling, brightly-lit markets adding to the festive fervour.

While I do enjoy non-vegetarian food, a day before Diwali and a few days after, our home transforms into a hub of vegetarian delights. My mother initiated the tradition of preparing multiple desserts at home, which I've continued through the years. It serves as a beautiful reminder of my childhood and the wonderful Diwali memories.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOK TRAVELLERView all
Chutneys For Every Season
Outlook Traveller

Chutneys For Every Season

GROWING UP IN JHARKHAND, I've always been enchanted by the state's culinary landscape. Here, the local cuisine never fails to surprise with its depth and variety.

time-read
3 mins  |
August - September 2024
BADGE OF HONOUR
Outlook Traveller

BADGE OF HONOUR

IN THE DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE of tourism, where greenwashing often taints sustainability, certifications can help distinguish between genuine efforts and marketing gimmicks. Green certification systems encourage businesses to enhance their environmental credentials.

time-read
1 min  |
August - September 2024
WHEELS OF TIME
Outlook Traveller

WHEELS OF TIME

IN 1947, TRAINS CARRYING REFUGEES ACROSS THE BORDER WERE SYMBOLIC OF THE TUMULT OF THE PARTITION.

time-read
4 mins  |
August - September 2024
RAILS OF THE Raj
Outlook Traveller

RAILS OF THE Raj

FROM ITS CONCEPTION TO ITS ROLE IN THE NATION'S HISTORY, THE BRITISH INDIAN RAILWAYS IS A PHENOMENON MARKED AS MUCH BY MARVEL AS AVARICE

time-read
3 mins  |
August - September 2024
THE RHYTHM OF BOLLYWOOD
Outlook Traveller

THE RHYTHM OF BOLLYWOOD

FROM THE RAILROAD THRILLER MISS FRONTIER MAIL 1936) TO SHAH RUKH KHAN DANCING ON A TRAIN IN DIL SE' 1998), TRAINS HAVE GIVEN UNFORGETTABLE SONG SEQUENCES TO MANY HINDI FILMS

time-read
4 mins  |
August - September 2024
MEMORY'S OASIS
Outlook Traveller

MEMORY'S OASIS

REMEMBRANCES OF GROWING UP IN SEALDAH RAILWAY OFFICERS COLONY IN KOLKATA

time-read
4 mins  |
August - September 2024
A FAREWELL × TO FLAVOURS
Outlook Traveller

A FAREWELL × TO FLAVOURS

FROM CUTLETS AND RAILWAY MUTTON CURRY IN DINING CARS TO THE UNREMARKABLE FARE AVAILABLE TODAY, THE JOURNEY OF FOOD ON THE INDIAN RAILWAY IS FASCINATING

time-read
3 mins  |
August - September 2024
HERITAGE ON THE TRACKS
Outlook Traveller

HERITAGE ON THE TRACKS

THE ICONIC DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY, FONDLY CALLED THE TOY TRAIN,' HAS HELD ITS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS SINCE 1999

time-read
4 mins  |
August - September 2024
HIDDEN LIVES
Outlook Traveller

HIDDEN LIVES

SPANNING 65,000 KILOMETRES THROUGH DENSELY POPULATED INDIA, THE RAILWAYS ARE A BACKDROP TO COUNTLESS STORIES. 'THE UNRESERVED' BY FILMMAKER SAMARTH MAHAJAN CAPTURES A FEW

time-read
4 mins  |
August - September 2024
JOURNEYS WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Outlook Traveller

JOURNEYS WITHIN AND WITHOUT

FOR IMTIAZ ALI, TRAIN JOURNEYS ARE TRANSFORMATIVE, OFFERING GLIMPSES OF INDIA'S DIVERSE SOCIETY AND ITS MANY CULTURES AND RELIGIONS

time-read
5 mins  |
August - September 2024