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Fashion Designer Anjali Phougat talks about celebrating Indian festivals abroad

Fashion designer Anjali Phougat, who is based in the US, says that celebrating festival such as Diwali are not as fun as they are back home in India.

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Anjali Phougat

Fashion designer Anjali Phougat, who is based in the US, says that celebrating festival such as Diwali are not as fun as they are back home in India. However, she adds that she and her family try to recreate the traditions the best they can.

“Celebrating Indian festivals like Diwali in the U.S. is a beautiful but unique experience compared to being back home. While I deeply miss the vibrant streets, family gatherings, and the festive atmosphere in India, celebrating Diwali here is an opportunity to bring the warmth of home to a new place. We try to recreate the traditions by decorating our home with diyas, rangoli, and lights, sharing traditional sweets, and dressing up in Indian attire, which helps us stay connected to our roots,” she says.

Talking about what they do, she says, “We often attend community gatherings and events organized by the Indian community, which brings us together with others who share the same cultural background. These events are wonderful, as they allow us to celebrate collectively, meet new people, and enjoy performances, food, and rituals that remind us of home.”

Also read: Anoushka Shankar: “It’s a wonderful feeling to be Grammy-nominated again this year”

Ask her how does explain the significance of the festivals to her daughter or younger family members growing up in the US, and she says, “For my daughter and younger family members growing up in the U.S., I take time to share the significance of Diwali and other festivals. I explain the stories behind them—like how Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. I want her to understand that these celebrations are not just about the festivities, but about values like family, kindness, and gratitude. By sharing these traditions, I hope she feels a strong sense of pride in her heritage.”

She adds, “There is definitely a blending of American elements with Indian traditions during these celebrations. We might incorporate pumpkin decorations along with diyas or celebrate Diwali with both Indian and Western foods to create a more inclusive experience. This blending is a reflection of our life here, where we cherish our Indian culture while embracing the new traditions we’ve discovered in the U.S. Celebrating festivals in this way allows us to honour our roots and adapt to our current home, making the experience uniquely meaningful.”

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