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It’s all about Marigolds for Diwali in this Mumbai home
For Priyanka Mehra, principal architect at PS Design, this flower holds a special meaning during Diwali which she uses in abundance to decorate her home and welcome guests
The festival of lights is upon us and each home reflects their own rituals and traditions, some passed down by elders and a few new additions. From kandils and diyas to fairy lights and floating candles, there’s no dearth of Diwali décor inspiration available all around us. This year, we look at principal architect, PS Design, Priyanka Mehra’s Mumbai home, as she invites us in to showcase her simple yet thoughtful Diwali decoration. Edited excerpts from her interview:
Beautiful Homes (BH): What is the significance of this festival in your life?
Priyanka Mehra (PM): I grew up in Delhi before I settled in Mumbai, and in north India, Diwali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated with so much pomp and fare. So for me, Diwali is always something I look forward to every year. Even after I shifted to this city and was living alone, I would ensure that I celebrate Diwali like how I used to in Delhi, and the tradition has continued after getting married and having two children. Diwali holds a very special place in my heart.
BH: Tell us about how you celebrated Diwali in Delhi during your childhood.
PM: Well, the seed was sown by my mother—our home was one of the most beautifully decorated houses in our lane and people would often drop by to see our decoration. Having a creative streak, I would be immersed in doing up the space, making rangoli on the floor, helping with the decoration and more. Growing up, one of the most exciting things we would look forward to during Diwali was our visit to the local flower market. We would wake up around 4.30 am and head there to buy the freshest marigolds. We would fill up our car with them and then use them for decorating our house. This is one of my most cherished memories of Diwali in Delhi, and this flower brings it all back. So I continue to use it in my decorations even today. For me, Diwali is incomplete without marigolds.
Priyanka Mehra, principal architect at PS Design, has kept her Delhi Diwali rituals alive even in her Mumbai home.
The floral decorations begin all the way from the entrance lobby, leading up to the rest of her home.
BH: How have your Diwali celebrations evolved over the years? Do you have any special traditions that you follow?
PM: I moved into my current home nine years ago, and today, there are five of us—my husband, two children, and our dog who live here. But when it comes to our Diwali celebrations, I am a stickler for following traditions and passing them on to our children. I have such fond memories of Diwali that I continue to follow them even today. From decorating the house to doing the Diwali pujan and making gujiyas at home, we do it all. We also host people around Diwali and this is something our friends too look forward to every year.
BH: Tell us more about your Diwali decorations in your Mumbai home.
PM: We live in an apartment in a high rise in Mumbai so space is limited, but not our enthusiasm for the festival. Of course, marigolds reign supreme in our decoration as we use it throughout the home in different styles—as a toran on the door, as floral artwork on the floor, on the walls in various shapes, around the tables, and more. On the day of Diwali, we draw traditional rangoli on the floor, surrounding it with diyas in the evening. For our Diwali party at home, we move all the living room furniture to open up the space, and place mattresses on the floor as the seating arrangement. Covered in white with colourful cushions around, this creates a traditional, convivial area for people to gather. We play card games until the wee hours of the night, creating fond memories every year.
Sticking to festive classics, Mehra does up her space using ample marigolds and diyas during Diwali.
Handmade earthen diyas and scented candles light up her space whilst creating a warm glow.
BH: Do you reuse your old decorations each year?
PM: Oh yes, I surely try to reuse things like cushion covers and the lights but flowers are always fresh. I buy the diyas and other décor trinkets from local vendors to support them, and keep whatever can be reused. The idea is to keep the décor simple, traditional and thoughtful, with everyone in the family chipping in to decorate our home for Diwali.
BH: Sweets are a big part of Indian festivities. What do your offerings entail?
PM: We do offer our guests Indian mithais during Diwali, but one of our traditions for this festival is to make gujiyas at home. Now even the children participate in this activity along with my husband and I. From making the khoya filling to shaping the dough, it is all done by hand at home. It is a lovely ritual that we follow, making a sweet memory along the way.
BH: How long before do you plan your Diwali decorations and how do guests react each year?
PM: It is usually a week before Diwali that we plan each year’s decoration. Since I stick to traditional décor, I get fresh flowers closer to the festival and reuse what I can from my stock. Even our guests know what to expect when they come for our Diwali party. They know they have to sit down on the mattress and dress accordingly. This annual gathering at our place is a wonderful way to catch up with friends, spend quality time with family, and keep our tradition of celebrating Diwali alive.
All images by Himanshu Lakhwani
Indian mithais or sweets are an integral part of Mehra’s Diwali gatherings.
The panelled wall in her living room becomes the backdrop for her Diwali decorations.
When hosting her Diwali party, the seating is usually on the floor with rugs and mattresses placed for people to sit on, adding a traditional, homely vibe.
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