Conflicted on a holiday
Two friends sent over a couple of anguished takes on the Diwali holiday. First, Vikram Seth’s poem ‘Diwali,’ pre-India Shining (thanks, Filmi):
The Moghuls fought and ruled
And settled. Even while
They hungered for musk-melon,
Rose, peach, nightingale,
The land assumed their love…I know that the whole world
Means exile of our breed
Who are not home at home
And are abroad abroad…
This may as well be my home.
Because no other nation
Moves me thus? What of that?
Cause for congratulation? …Parole is enough. Tonight
Below the fire-crossed sky
Of the Festival of Light… [Link]
Second, Steve Carell spoofs Adam Sandler’s ‘Hannukah Song‘ with a guitar-backed ode to Diwali (thanks, chickpea):
In this case, the anguish is all the listener’s.
on Friday, November 9th, 2007, 5:59 pm in Diwali, Holidays, Literature, Religion, Video clips › 
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thanks for the vikram seth’s diwali poem link Manish..A very thoughtful poem from seth again…Diwali is one festival when we all indians probably miss India, it can never be the same as it is in India despite how many ever diwali parties u attend in US…those mud diyas, those fireworks, those streets crowded with people in bright colors in India buying diwali diyas, fireworks and clothes..nothing beats Diwali in India…
Very apt poem. Thanks, Manish!
Thanks for both these interesting Diwali pieces. I don’t watch THE OFFICE so was tickled to see that clip.
So why didn’t Carell go all the way and list Indian celebrities? Something along the lines of “That guy on Lost you thought was an Iraqi/On Diwali he shoots off the firecrackies,” etc.
(Yes, that would presume that “all Indians” celebrate Diwali. But the song is missing something without it’s list of celebs.)