Divali 2001: A TANKA
dark night
bamboo rods will bend
to hold divali lights
and frigid hearts must be warmed
by these tiny fires of love
gillena cox Nov 2001
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Artist's note: Divali is a religous day for the
Hindu Community and it is observed as a public holiday. The story of Divali
is one of truth being bigger than falsehood, good overcoming evil and light
triumphing over darkness. Before the holiday there is fasting and prayer by
Hindus and on the night of the holiday there is an elaborate display of
lights all over the country both the Hindu and non Hindus take part in the
display of lights. The traditional lights used are tiny clay pots about two
inches in diameter placed in rows using an oil fluid. Also bamboo is striped
and bent into simple and elaborate structures to hold the deyas which when
lit makes for a truly spectacular display