CONCEPT :

Deepavali / Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. In Sanskrit “Deepa” means "lamp, light, illuminates or knowledge" and “āvali”, means "a row, range, continuous line”. “Diwali” is the local/common (Hindi language) version. The most well-known “Indian” holiday to the West, it is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. Falling in autumn, celebrations vary, but it is generally celebrated as the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance."

One of my Muslim friends started wishing everyone "Diwali Mubarak", as "Mubarak" means blessed in Arabic. I found that Gujarat (a state in Northwestern India) uses the same greeting because of the large Sufi Muslim population there. India is home to every religion on earth and with everyone sharing in festivities, Diwali is the country’s most social holiday.

I used "Diwali" not "Deepavali" because there is no "pa" or "va" sound in Arabic (those letters are borrowed from Persian/Urdu

As a nod to my Tamil heritage, I chose a "Kuttu Valaku" the traditional South Indian oil peacock lamp drawn with various Arabic scripts. The word "Diwali" is read from the base up and "Mubarak" is in the bird's face and body with added ornamental elements.

Print Details:

• Museum-quality prints made on thick and durable matte paper.
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Giclée printing quality
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%