Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Light and falls on October 19th this year. We have two much loved Hindu ladies in my department, Binoti and Manisha, and each year we celebrate Diwali with them.
We celebrated a week early this year – which is good because I am away on the 19th and would have been SO upset at missing out!
This started as just a chemistry section Jacobs-Join thing with about 15 people but word has gotten around and this year there were around 80 guests, including some from the neighbouring buildings, and the event was catered by my favourite (vegetarian) Indian deli (RK Sweets in Preston). In fact it was the third time in a week I had eaten their food!
Here is me with Binoti and Manisha. They are good friends and such lovely people. The clothes they were wearing on the day were so beautiful! I have left them both a Diwali gift to open on the day whilst I am away (see later).
Here are some more pictures of the event.
Finally – I took delivery this week of some GiclΓ©e prints and greetings cards of my Indian spices picture so I have signed a couple and left one each as a gift for Binoti and Manisha for Diwali.
It sounds like an amazing time! Such beautiful detail on their clothing. I love your Indian spices picture, gorgeous!
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Thank you so much Lisa ππ
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So happy to read this post. First, let me say it. You look great Darren; it is a beautiful picture of you. Your lady friends are lovely too. I really like Indian clothing, nice fabric and so much details in the embroidery. Your friends dresses are colourful and beautiful. Seeing you happy and relax in a social event makes my day. This is great progress my friend. Keep going. Binoti and Manisha must have been so please with your gift. You know how much I like your artwork and I think you should start selling your art on Etsy or through your blog. Do you need an agent?
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What a lovely comment Dominique. You are such a good friend.
Hope they like their gifts but I left a typed note not to open until today so will likely get texts later. They won’t even know who they are from until they open them as I left them on their desks when they were out of the room!
I am selling the cards via Susan’s work and they do OK. I could start doing the rounds of art fairs but they are at weekends which is my drawing time so would be self defeating in the end. I will consider online options, honestly, now I have found a printer I like. An agent? You offering? Don’t you have a busy enough life already?!
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Yes, very busy but I could help you as a friend develop the online options. That’s if you are interested and ready.
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You are a sweetie, thank you. Confess to feeling a bit nervous but if I do not do it now, when I feel good, then I never will. Be in touch. Dx
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Good. Let’s do it then.
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OK. π
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Thank you for this wonderful post!
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Thank you, that is lovely and glad you liked it!
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Lovely post and pictures! And the food looks delicious! Your Indian spices pictures are very, very good! β€
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Thank you so much Arbie. Yes, the food was great!
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Those pics are lovely gifts! Happy Diwali to your friends!
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Thank you. I will pass your message on for sure. Just had a text from Binoti so will include in my reply.
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You’re welcome! Great π
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Sounds amazing! πππ
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It was lovely Martina π
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Diwali is indeed an amazingly celebrated occasion of lights. Glad to see your pics. I can relate to it as I belong to this Asian culture and my friends too celebrate Diwali and I join them often:)
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Thank you for your comment and I hope you have had a good Diwali with your friendsπ
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Hello Darren!
That’s awesome that you celebrate Diwali! I bet that the food is awesome (I love Indian food!) Your Indian spices drawing looks amazing π
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Thank you Sophie. The Diwali celebration is a highlight of our year at work now – and yes the food IS awesome π
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Happy Diwali! It looks like you had a great time, and that picture of you and your friends look great. π
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Thank you – yes it was great. I hate pictures of myself so I was very brave posting that!
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You certainly are! I’m glad you did. π
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π
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Diwali is my favourite festival out of all Indian festivals. I am feeling a little blue now that the Diwali season is over. I love the picture of Indian Spices. It is brilliant.
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Thank you so much. I have grown to enjoy Diwali very much in the last three years since Binoti and Manisha came to work here. It is a real highlight of the year for me and I understand why you must be a little sad now it is over.
Thank you for your feedback on my picture too. I was pleased with it π
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Hope Binoti and Manisha introduce you to Holi too. It is another great festival which usually occurs during March. I am sure you would enjoy it a lot, plus it is a great day to take pictures. π
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Ooh, I must ask them about that!
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