When I look back in time to recall the day I was introduced to candles, I do not remember how and when. What I remember is a pillar candle in the living room and I was probably eleven years old. The pillar candle was of red in colour and mother had put it on a corner table tucked between two sofas.
We did not light it regularly, only when we were expecting guests. I guess we were amongst hundreds of families for whom lighting a candle is a gesture of hospitality. The gods are visiting us, Atithi Devo Bhava. Mother would cook an entire feast in the kitchen and I used to do a room check- I would go to each room and see if everything is in place so as to portray our best selves in front of our guests through the well done up home.
And just before their arrival, the candle would be light.
I used to enjoy having guests over and sit around a home cooked meal, I do. However, seeing the beautiful candle light only for the guests, this is what I did not like. In between hosting parties, the candle would sit in solace, accumulating dust and the maid would also ignore cleaning it.
I would wait again to light it, and this was a big deal for me. And need I say my favourite festival is Diwali? The smell of fresh genda, Indian roses aka desi gulab and diyas and candles. Candles!
We have a family ritual on choti Diwali, to visit the market in the evening to buy all Diwali supplies (for me it was just about flowers, diyas and candles). My dad has always been a big fan of thin pillar candles and tealight, this information I used diligently to extend the number of boxes dad asked the shop owner to pack. Papa this is not enough, please buy more, and he would.
In between hosting guests and Diwali, whenever a candle would be light in our home, I would feel a burst of energy, one that is difficult to put into words. A simple product that can do so much to illuminate a home and the memories. How do you relive a memory? I’d say light a candle of the fragrance you like and it will surely take you back to those cherished moments. For me it is Indian Rose Soy Scented Candle