This Deepavali celebration is going to be like none other in most of our homes because of the CMCO. So are RAAGA’s radio announcers.
Let’s find out what they’ve got to say about The New Normal Deepavali
Suresh, who happens to be popular for his combo with Ahila in RAAGA’s Kalakkal Kaalai segment expressed that this year’s Deepavali would be extra special as he celebrates his first Deepavali as a married man, ‘Thala Deepavali’ with his wife, Kuna Sundary.
The young DJ said he was excited to celebrate Deepavali at home with family members while enjoying Deepavali programmes on both television and radio, with the CMCO in effect.
Since this is going to be his ‘Thala Deepavali’ with his wife, the celebration will be A memorable one with his family members
Ahila on the other hand has been a radio announcer for the radio segment Kalakkal Kaalai with her co-announcer Suresh for two years now and this year completes her 10th year with RAAGA. She will celebrate Deepavali on a small scale with her immediate family in her hometown, Johor.
However, she is expected to celebrate her ‘Thala Deepavali’ as the Johorean got married on 11.11.2020.
As per the Hindu custom, the couple will stay at the bride’s home, which is Ahila‘s, and receive blessings from the elderly. She also says that Deepavali is all about being with family members and relatives.
But things are slightly different this year, where we won’t be able to see our extended relatives. But still, being with your family, if you can, is perhaps the most important thing, regardless of the number of people.
So, let’s just treasure the moments and enjoy what’s meant for you. Happy Deepavali to everybody.” she said.
With reasonably valuable working experiences, Revathy has been a RAAGA announcer for nearly two decades and is presently the announcer for two-weekday segments: Vanakam RAAGA and Innikke Enna Kathe.
She explains that family bonding is a crucial part of her life, particularly during Deepavali
As a tradition, her family will have a small pooja (prayers) in the morning while visiting her mother who lives nearby in the afternoon like any other year. Previously, when her father was around, she used to visit her relatives.
But it’s been 15 years since her family celebrated the joyous occasion with relatives. She feels that celebrating Deepavali with her family is a great pleasure while watching local Deepavali specials on television is a delight.
She loves relaxing at home and spending time with family members while praying
She also chooses to stay home because they are vegetarians on Deepavali and hit ‘Shasti Viratham’ on the second day of Deepavali and ‘Ayappan Viratham’ on the third day for around two months, a yearly practice.
Other than that, her family will be also preparing some delicious food to be shared with an orphanage as an act of goodwill
Uthaya, on the other hand, has been a radio announcer for almost 18 years, and is currently an announcer for Hyper Maalai. Unlike other RAAGA announcers, Uthaya does not have many plans this year, including travel due to the CMCO.
He will celebrate Deepavali at home with his family members and fans at the RAAGA studio. It would be lovely to see how he intends to spend time with his fans during Deepavali
He also says, “This year’s Deepavali is going to be 360 degrees upside down for me. It’s not going to be a lot of fun and I didn’t expect the CMCO to be in effect during the Deepavali season, hence I’m going to celebrate Deepavali on a small scale.”
Uthaya in a nicely written note advises his listeners to celebrate this Deepavali with their loved ones while practicing safe social distancing and, most importantly, stay home.
Last but not least, RAAGA‘s newcomer, Kogulan, who is in his second year at RAAGA as an announcer for his segment called Vaange Palagalam said his Deepavali would be very different this time around.
He would, however, enjoy the ‘Muruku’ that his parents would send by courier
Typically he visits the Kluang Deepavali Bazaar every year, it seems, on Deepavali ‘s eve. Sadly, he says that he is sure to miss those memories this year.
He too left a note stating: “I would like to wish my dear friends and family a prosperous Deepavali. I have a sincere request to my fans, and it is to celebrate Deepavali this year with a lot of love and happiness while adhering to the SOPs implemented for the well-being of all.”
Perhaps this year’s Deepavali isn’t just different, but it also brings us some sort of ambivalent feelings due to many uneventful circumstances, mostly pinched by the brutal Covid-19 pandemic that has certainly changed the course of our lives. For some, this festival is a very special one, while for others, it only adds to the sweetness of a regular celebration.
To put it in a nutshell, while this Deepavali gives us a different dynamic, we shall, conversely, concentrate on exploring our growth and finding solace even in the simplest of things.
How is your ‘new norm’ Deepavali celebrations going to be? Share with us in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!
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