FIREWORKS - SOKKABAANAM

I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY DEEPAVALI.

Whenever we think of Deepavali we immediately think of four things: Sweets, New Dresses, Lights and Fireworks.  The most attractive of the four is the Fireworks.

I roll back in my memory lane to the early 1970s when we were living in Car Street in Triplicane.  The fireworks will start at around 2 a.m. in the morning and will continue through the day till about 10 p.m. in the night.

We used to go and drop some of the crackers in the "Sokkabaanam" specially created near the Temple Tank.  All of us used to assemble near Parthasarathy Swami Temple in the evening and when the Uthsavamurthy starts his visit around the Maada Veethi the Sokkabaanam will be fired.  All sorts of crackers will be in that Sokkabanam and it will be a great treat to watch it.  Sokkabaanam is actually a community celebration when all people in the community come together and celebrate with fireworks at one place.

Nowadays when the Perumal is coming around the Maada veethi at each house along the streets they burst crackers and it is a real treat to watch it.  Whenever I am in Chennai for Deepavali I dont miss this treat in th evening in Triplicane.

Nowadays there are fireworks in the sky and most of the people prefer to buy these wonderful crackers which go up about 200 feet and then burst into different shapes, forms and it is wonderful to see those designs in the sky.

In Dubai we get to see excellent fireworks during Eid and DSF.  Enjoy the festive mood with celebrations and ensure safety of everyone when you are celebrating with fireworks.

T.P.Anand

Dubai, U.A.E.

13th November 2012