Diwali for Annie Koshy

How do you celebrate Diwali? Have you always celebrated it?

The first time that I started to be exposed to Diwali was when I moved back to India in 1994. It took many years for me to understand the different celebrations that took place during the course of these festivities. From the stories, to the food and the rituals, it was a lot to take in!

What does this holiday mean to you? 

My family never really celebrated Diwali as I was growing up. As a young adult who moved back to her homeland to work, it was the first time I was experiencing many festivals and celebrations that I didn't know about. Today, Diwali and many of the other celebrations I am part of are a result of my involvement as a host. Through that exposure, I have a priceless  opportunity to celebrate and continue to learn more of my cultural heritage.

What’s your favourite Diwali food?

I’m a huge foodie, so the sweet and savoury dishes that are usually prepared during this festival season are dishes I enjoy all the time. In honour of this special time however, the other day I prepared a sweet dish that was a jaggery based broken wheat pudding tempered with roasted cashew nuts, almond slivers and raisins. 

In this segment Annie highlights some of the season’s best dishes. Watch and pick one to make (or order) in honour of Diwali this year!

This video is courtesy Diwali RazzMatazz (external link, opens in new window)  which is organized by the Indo-Canada Arts Council and hosted by Annie Koshy of GTA South Asian Media Network Inc.

Which Diwali sweet will you make this year?

What’s your favourite Diwali tradition?

Spending time with friends and loved ones during this time has always been my favourite part. It is a month of partying with beautiful outfits, games and laughter. The outfits are elaborate with colourful scarves (dupattas), jewellery and fancy shoes. Coordinating the colours and various components is quite interesting. 

Complete this sentence: Diwali would not be complete without ___________________.

Diwali would not be complete without new friends, friends who have become family and the spirit of giving.

What do you wish other cultures knew about this holiday?

Like all celebrations, understanding Diwali is beyond understanding traditions — it is truly learning about the nuances of the culture. Each region of India celebrates Diwali in a slightly different way, whether it is a special dish or an outfit that is worn. The message however remains singular, that all are welcomed and accepted. 

How are you adapting your celebrations in light of Covid-19?

This year, my primary way of supporting and celebrating Diwali are through the virtual shows that I am hosting. Usually these shows would be held either inside a mall or at one of our large open squares, but due to Covid-19, all these events have moved online. It is difficult as a host to get that same energy from a virtual event that you recieve when standing in front of a live audience. The energy, sound, crowd and atmosphere are not present. 

What advice would you want to share with new graduates trying to make their way in the creative field?

I have gained a wide range of experience by jumping between different positions. I have worked at various posts from teaching to database management, emcee, TV and Radio Host to Media Maverick.  Now as the Branding Ninja, tech support, digital marketing, coaching, training, e-commerce, and many more. There was only one thing in common across these jobs: I didn’t apply for any of them!

Wondering how I got these jobs? It was because of my connections; they recommended me based on my experience and skills. This, in a nutshell, explains why personal branding is crucial.

Is there a special memory from your time in Toronto at Toronto Metropolitan University that you’d like to share with us?

Toronto Metropolitan University is the reason I started  to gain confidence in myself. The opportunity of smaller class sizes, with approachable faculty were the main reasons it was a perfect fit for this 'small town' girl. Toronto Metropolitan University allowed my creative and my academic side to be acknowledged and appreciated. I have a lot of fond memories of Toronto Metropolitan University. Wearing the hat of a teacher for several years, knowledge and the acquisition of it has always fascinated me. Books were an escape from the strict upbringing that I had. An opportunity to see places and learn of people that I never imagined, let alone encountered in real life. I began that journey through the friends I made at Toronto Metropolitan University, the places I studied in my humanities courses and then the door that was opened into my career from Toronto Metropolitan University.