Diwali as a child meant a lot more than shopping for new clothes and lighting diyas. There were rangolis to make, lanterns to put together and kitchens that smelt of freshly prepared festive snacks. On the latest episode of Sunday Brunch with Kamiya Jani, Radhika Apte and Keerthy Suresh took a trip down memory lane while talking about Diwali traditions, and their excitement was infectious.
Radhika Apte Recalls Making Rangolis And Akash Kandils During Diwali
When Kamiya Jani asked the guests what the festive season meant to them, Radhika Apte spoke fondly about the Diwalis she grew up celebrating. She remembered making rangolis at home and crafting Akash Kandils, traditional paper lanterns that Maharashtrian families hang outside their homes during Diwali. The handmade decorations were part of the fun, turning preparations into an activity the entire family could participate in.
Food, naturally, had its own place in these memories. Radhika recalled making sweets with her grandmother, a detail that made the conversation feel especially personal. She also mentioned chakli, the crunchy, spiral-shaped savoury snack that is a Diwali staple in Maharashtra. These were the kind of childhood rituals that made the festival memorable, long before celebrations became about elaborate decorations or gift hampers.
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Keerthy Suresh Shares The Significance Of Deepavali Lehyam
The conversation then moved towards South Indian traditions, with Keerthy Suresh talking about Deepavali Lehyam, also spelt Deepavali Legiyam or Deepavali Marundhu. Commonly prepared in Tamil households, this dark, thick herbal paste contains ingredients such as ginger, pepper and other spices, although recipes differ between families. It is traditionally consumed in small quantities around Deepavali, with many households believing it helps digestion during the festive season.
Another ritual that came up was the traditional oil bath, observed in several South Indian households on Deepavali morning. Sesame oil is commonly applied to the body before bathing, as part of a custom passed down through generations.
Radhika Apte was visibly excited when the conversation touched upon this ritual, recognising a familiar tradition in someone else’s festive memories.
And perhaps that was the sweetest part of the conversation. Across Maharashtra and South India, the details may differ, but Diwali still finds families making things together, sharing recipes and passing traditions from one generation to the next.
Sometimes, the memories that stay with us longest are not of the grand celebrations but of a handmade lantern, a grandmother’s recipe and the familiar rituals that made a house feel like home.
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Watch the full Sunday Brunch episode on the Curly Tales App or Curly Tales YouTube Channel.
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
FAQs
What Diwali traditions did Radhika Apte share on Sunday Brunch?
Radhika Apte recalled making rangolis, crafting Akash Kandils (traditional paper lanterns) and preparing festive sweets with her grandmother. She also spoke about chakli, a popular Maharashtrian Diwali snack.
What is an Akash Kandil?
An Akash Kandil is a traditional decorative paper lantern commonly hung outside homes in Maharashtra during Diwali. Families often make these colourful lanterns as part of their festive preparations.
Where can you watch Radhika Apte and Keerthy Suresh's Sunday Brunch episode?
You can watch the full episode of Sunday Brunch with Kamiya Jani on the Curly Tales App or the Curly Tales YouTube Channel, and on Netflix too!
