Diwali, Acrylic on canvas, 23" x 18", £475
We flew into Amritsar and arrived at around 3am, tired but very excited! Even at that time of the morning the airport was bustling and outside the road was full of traffic and noise, our first experience of the beeping horns. We were met by a gentleman from Mrs Bandarhi's Guest House and we helped hoist our cases onto the roof of our transport. Soon we were driving through the darkened streets of Amritsar, getting our first glimpse of the city.
Next day we watched the ladies of the household preparing for the Diwali celebrations starting that evening. small bowls of ghee with candle wicks were painted pink and laid out along the edges of paths. We heard the story of Prince Rama and his wife Sita and how she welcomed him home with lights along his path. We were welcomed to join the family fireworks and share a celebratory drink, then we went off to bed, little knowing how the Indians party at Diwali!!!! The fireworks were all night, large bangs and explosions of light in the night sky, music and drumming came from the road as people moved between family houses.
My picture captures for me the excitement, noise, fireworks and flowers of Diwali.