Munni Begum/ Guwahati

How do interfaith families celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil?

Awaz-the Voice spoke with the renowned mime artist Moinul Haque, a Muslim, and his wife, Dr Anjana Moyee Saikia, a Hindu, an accomplished Odissi and Sattriya dancer, and a doctor at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), as well as other celebrity interfaith couples about it.

The common story about them was that differences in religious identity have never created barriers in their married life. Instead, it has increased mutual understanding, respect, and inculcated cultural openness in their families.

Moinul Haque is Assam's most celebrated mime artist, who has established the Mime Academy, the first institution dedicated to mime in Northeast India and is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009.

Moinul Haque and Dr Anjana Moyee Saikia

His wife, Dr Anjana Moyee Saikia, is a distinguished exponent of Odissi and Sattriya dance.  Through her institution, Darpan Dance Academy, Guwahati, she has contributed to the promotion and preservation of classical dance traditions.

Speaking about Diwali celebrations in his family, Moinul Haque said, "We celebrate Diwali at our home every year. Diwali, to me, is not confined to any particular religion. It is a festival of lights, a celebration that inspires us to dispel darkness and embrace light. There are profound values associated with this festival. Its true significance lies in moving from ignorance towards knowledge. It would not be right to restrict Diwali to the followers of any particular religion. Of course, whether someone chooses to celebrate it or not is entirely a matter of personal choice."

“Every year on Diwali, we visit my wife's family members and relatives to exchange festive greetings. We carry sweets as gifts, spend time together and enjoy dinner with them. We also burst firecrackers and celebrate the festival with great joy and enthusiasm, making the most of the beautiful night of lights."

International swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika and Pranami are another renowned couple in an interfaith marriage. Elvis has many milestones in his career, and the peak was his crossing of the Catalina Channel.

Elvis Ali Hazarika and Pranami

Elvis comes from an interfaith family. His father, Alban Ali Hazarika, is a Muslim, and his mother, Deepika Ali Hazarika, is a Hindu; Elvis learned to respect all religions and their traditions from childhood.

Elvis follows Islamic practices while maintaining respect for Hindu traditions. He observes fasts during the holy month of Ramzan, offers namaz and extends help to those in need as part of his religious and humanitarian responsibilities.

At the same time, he visits Guwahati's historic Kamakhya Temple and the Maa Bagalamukhi Temple to offer prayers and seek divine blessings. His wife, Pranami, has also accompanied him in pujas and religious rituals at the Bagalamukhi Temple.

In the Hazarika household, Eid and Diwali are celebrated with equal warmth and enthusiasm. During Eid, family members come together to share the festive joy, while iftar gatherings are organised during Ramzan. Similarly, when Diwali arrives, their home comes alive with lights, happiness and celebrations. This harmonious coexistence of different religious traditions makes the family a beautiful example of communal harmony and cultural integration.

Extending his Diwali greetings, Elvis Ali Hazarika said, "I wish everyone a very special and joyous Diwali. I have always loved this festival. Whenever Diwali comes around, it brings a different kind of happiness and a positive message. Every home is beautifully illuminated with lights, and the entire atmosphere is filled with a special feeling."

He believes that the festival strengthens the bonds of love and affection by bringing parents, grandparents, children, relatives and friends under one roof. It provides an opportunity for people to reconnect with their loved ones and celebrate the joy of togetherness.

Another distinguished personality with deep connections to Assam is world-renowned Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. His wife, Subhalakshmi Barua Khan, hails from a prominent Assamese family and is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Subhalakshmi Barua Khan

Subhalakshmi underwent nearly 15 years of rigorous training at Kalakshetra in Chennai under the legendary dance guru Rukmini Devi Arundale. Her husband, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, is one of India's most celebrated classical musicians and has been honoured with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan for his extraordinary contributions to Indian classical music.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan celebrates Eid and Diwali with his family in a spirit of joy and togetherness.

Speaking about this year's celebrations, Subhalakshmi Barua Khan said that although she has been experiencing some health problems, Diwali would be celebrated at their home with the same enthusiasm as in previous years.

According to her, festivals bring a special kind of happiness into people's lives, particularly because they provide opportunities for family members to come together and share precious moments.

For Shehnaz, a physiotherapist at Gauhati Medical College, and her husband Rahul, this year's Diwali holds special significance.

Rahul, a Hindu, and Shehnaz, a Muslim, tied the knot last year. Although their marriage initially faced some disagreement from their respective families, the differences and distances between them have gradually diminished with time.

Speaking of their plans, the couple said, "Both of us lead very busy professional lives. This Diwali has therefore come as a special break for us. For the first time, we will celebrate the festival together in our own home. We are planning to invite our relatives and close friends and celebrate the festival of lights with great joy and enthusiasm."

For the young couple, the occasion represents not only their first Diwali celebration in their own home but also a meaningful opportunity to bring their families and loved ones closer, leaving behind past differences and embracing a new chapter of togetherness.

Similarly, Diwali continues to hold a special place in the family of Afsana Begum, formerly a resident of Guwahati's Machkhowa area, and her late husband, Sailendra Konwar Dutta.

Afsana with her husband  Rahul with their sons

Afsana has been celebrating Diwali since childhood. However, after marrying into a Hindu family, her association with the festival became even more meaningful and deeply rooted in her family life.

Recalling her experiences, Afsana said, "I have been celebrating Diwali since my childhood. After my marriage, when I became a daughter-in-law of a Hindu family, I started celebrating the festival with even greater enthusiasm and excitement."

Remembering her late husband, she added, "My husband also loved celebrating Diwali. Although he is no longer with us, we will continue to celebrate the festival with the same joy and enthusiasm this year, keeping his memories and the family traditions alive."

She further expressed a heartfelt wish for the occasion, saying, "I hope this festival destroys all the evil forces within and around us and fills our lives with light, knowledge and positivity."

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For Afsana and her family, Diwali has therefore become more than an annual celebration. It is also an occasion to cherish the memories of a loved one, preserve family traditions and carry forward the values of affection and togetherness that have bound the family across religious differences.