Bombay, or what we now call Mumbai, can never really boast of a cold wintry Christmas; our beachy tropical climate will never allow us to have one. We, however, can have a white one! If we consider the white, grey dust that is floating around, with some smog thrown in, courtesy of all the new construction in our area. We might not have bells jingling, but we can definitely hear loud drilling sound far away in the distance as we go about our holidays. While there are several Soboites who will be flying off to the far east or the middle east for retail therapy, some who’ll probably go skiing to Europe or others for some Christmas cheer to London, most of us might just be barely breathing here this December.
We’ll longingly check the skies to see if there is any blue hue left, probably staring at our sweatshirts in the closets, hoping to wear them, cause let’s be realistic, jackets in Bombay seem kind of ridiculous, unless you are a Bollywood star. Only they can wear trench coats and biker jackets in this humidity & not melt into a puddle.
One can only hope we get to wear our hoodies or drape our shawls and catch up with friends for a cup of hot chocolate at our favourite cafes this season. Praying we get a chance to go for those long drives with our windows rolled down, wind caressing our hair or scalp (depending on how much is left up there. I’m talking about hair, not brains. Never mind the gagging and watery eyes we might have to endure with all the
pollution in the air. The ‘cold’ breeze will make the sacrifice worth it. Before you start wondering where I am going with my sarcasm, I’ll be honest. Nowhere. I’ll be here in the city with my adorable Indie mutt,
creating some fun Christmas art. Christmas for me is all about painting snowmen, colorful baubles, Christmas trees, and all things sparkly and shiny, and conducting Christmas art workshops for kids and adults. It might seem childish to some, but you have to try it before you decide to judge me. Just like
setting up a Christmas tree or organising a Christmas party is so much fun, doing Christmas art is even more fun. It’s not something only kids below 5 do. Art is a feeling, not a process. Creating art during these holidays brings back all things happiness.
We grew up watching cartoons and movies with Christmas backdrops where everything looked so perfect. White castles, Christmas carols, and fire in the mantel while it was snowing outside.
December was all about shopping for sparkly outfits from stores in Bandra back then, catching up with friends, and planning New Year gettogethers. Nostalgia can be a slippery slope; before you know it, you are spiraling down, either feeling happy about what you experienced or sad about the days gone by.
We grew up, and things are different for most of us now. Chocolate milk is a big no-no since we are either lactose intolerant or off sugar or both, or we are into black coffee. All those sweet Christmas treats are off the table, and we prefer house parties to clubbing now. Sometimes, just a quiet evening by yourself is a blessing we are grateful for.
The holiday season is all about prioritising yourself. Give yourself that break that you truly deserve. Spending time with your loved ones and basking in the sunshine of happiness. Doing things that make you happy. Always, and I mean always, treat yourself with kindness.
Do things that you always wanted to do but didn’t. So pick up that racket & play paddle or pickleball, go for that jog that you are avoiding because you don’t want to run in front of people, learn mahjong if that’s what you want to try.
Better still, pick up that pen and draw some doodles, even if it’s just mindless squiggles. As for me, this Christmas I’ll be sitting with my dog Max next to my decorated twinkling Christmas tree with some red wine and a sketch book, watching one of those Christmas romcoms on Netflix. Hoping next year we truly hear some carols and not the hum of construction, experience real fog and not smog, and feel a nip
in the air and not the air conditioner.
Looking at all the white dust settling on the cars around my apartment reminded me of the time when we used to watch those Disney Christmas cartoons about white winter wonderlands. Little did I imagine I would be in my own wonderland, but of a different kind.
Where did we go wrong?? We have turned this city into a whirlpool of dust, and who is to blame for this? Santa certainly doesn’t need to come down a chimney to experience the smoke; he just needs to try around our city. Poor Rudolph! No wonder his nose is red and shiny.
Let’s be more mindful about our environment, plant a tree, or prevent one from being axed. Even a small contribution to make our city a better place is worth it. Singing ‘you are my sunshine, my only sunshine’ against the gray skies is not music to anyone’s ears. And that’s all, folks! Sparkle and shine. Sip on that wine or tea and eat some sugary treats, create some Christmas art, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Be kind to your mind; it’s where your happiness begins. Happy holidays, everyone!!
By Rakhi, she is an art therapist practitioner & teaches art to kids and adults. Art N Soul Studio,
Om Chambers, Kemps Corner. 98200xxxx. @artnsoulbyrakhi
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