THE GOAN
PANAJI
The papers are cut, the chikki is prepared, and the family gathers around. Colourful strips and squares of paper are spread across the house as Diwali preparations begin. With less than a week to go for the festival, families are making their way to markets to stock up on paper, ‘foli’ and, in some cases, bamboo sticks to put together the skeleton of the traditional akashdivo. Many households, however, still have bamboo frames that have been reused for years, bringing out the same structure every Diwali. While readymade and plastic lanterns have found their way into homes, several families continue to look forward to making their own akashdivo. Apart from being easier on the pocket, the activity brings the family together, with everyone pitching in to cut, fold and stick the paper.
Traditional choices
Markets, meanwhile, offer a wide variety of readymade lanterns, ranging from plastic and felt to cloth, non-woven and the traditional ‘foli’ paper. Despite the choices available, traditional designs continue to find buyers. Vinayak Desai, whose family has been making and selling traditional akashdive for nearly 50 years, says many customers continue to prefer the familiar ‘foli’ lantern. “We make around 150 traditional akashdive using ‘foli’ paper. There are even families who have been buying their akashdive only from us for years now,” he says.
However, changing weather conditions and the need for more durable materials have also influenced buying preferences. Suryakant Tople says non-woven and woolly paper lanterns are gaining popularity as they can withstand rain and everyday wear and tear better than delicate paper. ‘Foli’ or tissue paper lanterns require careful handling, as even a little pressure can tear them. Material cost is another factor: a sheet of woolly paper costs around Rs 60 to Rs 80, compared to Rs 10 to Rs 15 for ‘foli’ paper. This difference is reflected in the price of readymade lanterns too. “The traditional ‘foli’ akashdivo sells for around Rs 300 to Rs 350, while the woolly or non-woven paper lanterns cost around Rs 600 to Rs 650,” says Tople.
A family tradition
For some families, however, making the akashdivo is a process that begins well before Diwali. In Vasco, Kashinath and Sulochna Chowgule start preparing soon after Chaturthi, when they visit their village and collect the bamboo sticks required for the lantern. The sticks are cleaned, cut into different sizes and tied together to form the frame. “Our process begins long before Diwali. Cutting the sticks into different sizes, from four to ten inches, and preparing them takes almost thirty days,” they say. Once the frame is ready, the paper is cut and pasted, a process that can be completed in about a day. They also point out that certain traditional designs, such as ‘nevrya’ and ‘karanjya’, are best made using ‘foli’ paper.
Keeping traditions alive
The appeal of the traditional lantern lies not just in its appearance but also in the time and care that go into making it. Natasha N Shirodkar, an interior designer, civil engineer and owner of La Fleur Florist in Ponda, prefers making the Goan ‘foliyecho akashdivo’ using kite paper. She says the delicate paper makes the craft challenging, as it can tear easily and requires patience and effort. Having learnt the art from her parents, Shirodkar fondly remembers sitting with her family, building the structure with thin bamboo sticks and decorating it with kite paper. “Making an akash divo has a different kind of joy. It is also a way of keeping our Goan tradition alive and passing it on to the next generation,” she says.
Shirodkar continues to make traditional lanterns for her home as well as for her store, while experimenting with designs such as roses, lotuses and sunflowers using the same paper. Making and tying the bamboo frame takes her a day, with cutting and decorating beginning the following day. A traditional design usually takes two days to complete, while elaborate floral patterns can take up to three. “I prefer the traditional akashdivo because its delicacy and the way it glows in the darkness are what make it special. I connect it with the essence of Diwali. Diwali signifies the end of darkness through the lighting of diyas, and the akashdivo similarly lights up the house,” she says.
Whether made at home with generations-old bamboo frames or bought from the market, the akashdivo remains an important part of Diwali preparations in Goa. Materials and designs may have changed over the years, but for many, the familiar glow of the traditional ‘foli’ lantern is still what makes the festival feel complete.
