As the preparations are on in full swing for the festival of lights, Diwali, one cannot forget an important aspect of the festival, the Akash Kandil that will welcome new energy into the homes. Akash Kandil, or sky lanterns, are like floating lanterns that people release into the sky during Diwali to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. With the rush to prepare the sweets and snacks for Diwali, one can also see hordes of young boys crowding around stationary and decoration shops search for different types of papers including crepe paper or tissue paper that will go into making different decorations. While some of these will go into making the Narkasur, the rest will be used in decorating the house for the festival and making the akash kandil.
Earlier, bamboo sticks were cut into the required size and glued together to create the framework of the akash kandil which was then decorated with coloured opaque papers also known as folli in Konkani and sometimes coloured fine cloth or saree. Then, a candle or lamp was lit inside, creating a beautiful sight with the play of light, igniting the spirit of Diwali.
It is a play of the right colours that complement the akash kandil, and Sanjiv Shetgaonkar and his young son Srirang has got the talent to put these colours together. Sanjiv from Urmalbag Vaddo, Morjim, has been creating these akash kandil for over seven years using metal frames. This year, he has made over 200 akash kandils and it is love and appreciation of his clients that keeps him motivated. He has been making traditional handmade akash kandils with his son for the past two years and the young boy shows great promise in following his father’s footsteps.
“Making akash kandils requires patience and time and yet it all has to be completed within a certain deadline. Many people come and select which ones they want at home. There is a certain spot in Siolim, where I sell these akash kandils and the people who know about it look forward to selecting their favourite one there. People also appreciate my work and say that it is done well and neatly which is a huge compliment for my son and me,” says Sanjiv, as he adds the final touch to one of the akash kandils.
Under the watchful eye of his father, Srirang adds different strips of paper to create new designs of akash kandils. He wants to be more creative and imaginative and his nimble fingers quickly apply glue on the framework to place the papers. Last year I completed three akash kandils on my own and this year, I am aiming to at least complete ten,” says Srirang.
Sanjiv adds, “There is a lot of hard work and I want to show my talent. My son is still young but he is so enthusiastic to help me and even create this own akash kandils and I am hopeful that my children will also help me in the future.”
Lighting Akash Kandils is believed to invite positivity and good fortune into the home as a way of expressing gratitude to the gods for their blessings. Rupesh Naik wants the share the same light and hope with the rest of Goa and the country as he prepares a 40 feet tall akash kandil that hangs from a tree at the entrance of Panjim at Portais as part of Diwali celebration. This year, it features a lamp glowing rright on top of the akash kandil with the Sun shining under the akash kandil and the rays of the sun hitting the idol of Lord Krishna.
Rupesh Naik and the Youth of Portais, Panjim create one of the biggest akash kandils in Goa and in since its origins in 2008, this akash kandil is become a must-see decoration for Diwali in the state. Besides Diwali, these creative minds also put up massive decorations for Christmas. “Portais is the entrance to the city of Panjim through the villages of St Cruz, Bhatlem and Taleigao. We use all natural resources except the 40 feet tall iron frame that is recycled every year. With all these years of experience, I know the quantity of material I require and I order it from Mumbai,” says Rupesh, also a resident of Portais.
Currently, he is working with a group of 20 boys while the rest of the youth are busy completing the Narkasur. “My nephew, Durgesh Vengurlekar from Ribandar, is a first year fine arts student with whom I share the initial design and we sit together and ideate the final design. We start the actual work around 20 days before Diwali. I also prepare akash kandils for temples around the vicinity. After everything is prepared, then I decorate my own house. I believe that I am not important but entire Goa should get the light of the akash kandil which is a blessing from God,” says Rupesh, who is a chef for the Indian Army and takes leave especially to prepare this akash kandil.
“This is a huge project and I get sponsorship from well-wishers who want me to continue with this tradition. This site is now become a landmark to see the Diwali and Christmas decorations. I would like to say to my fellow Goans that our festivals should be celebrated unitedly. We live in this world for a short while and during our lifetime we should do something good that will be remembered. It should be done for the state, nation and the world to remember and all should come together,” says Rupesh, as all the boys from different background work on the akash kandil, opposite St Francis Xavier Chapel, Portais.
In Ramnati, Ponda, Satyam Naik is happy that his hard work has paid off as most of his handmade akash kandils are sold off. It takes the team effort of his parents to complete the creative lanterns within the time frame. “I make the traditional lanterns with bamboo which I procure from the mill. They have to be brought home and cut into pieces first. My father, Gajanand cuts the papers for the decoration while my mother Asha, makes the decorations which we call botta or neuri in Konkani and it is attached over the paper as decorative pieces. It takes me around an hour to complete one akash kandil. I prefer to keep the outside colour white while the inner decoration has coloured paper. Once the bulb is lit inside, the light is beautifully and yet subtly spread across the room or veranda,” explains Satyam.
A full time taxi driver, Satyam makes time right from the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi to start preparing akash kandils. “I have been making akash kandils for seven years and I have noticed that if one person buys an akash kandil, re returns the next year with seven more friends to buy the lanterns,” says Satyam, happy that there is hope for eco-friendly lanterns in the fast pacing world.