Deepavali Malars: A reading tradition amid the celebrations

What makes Deepavali special? Beyond the sweets, new clothes and family gatherings, the festival has long been associated with a cherished reading tradition — the thick volumes of the Deepavali Malars, filled with stories, essays, interviews and more. Even amid today’s constant stream of social media posts featuring festive recipes and shopping recommendations, these specially curated editions continue to find a place in Tamil households. Fresh off the press, with vibrant covers and glossy pages, they add to the excitement of the season. Over the years, their content has evolved to reflect changing trends in art, society and literature. Here is a look at what a couple of Tamil magazines have curated for readers this Deepavali.In The Hindu Tamil’s Deepavali Malar , besides the regular features, the highlight is a collection of articles on artistes including Ramya Ranganathan and Dravid (Paridhabangal team), who began their journey on social media before making a mark in cinema. The piece offers an insight into how emerging talents are finding new avenues to reach audiences. For film buffs, the festive edition comes with a collection of 12 articles, each devoted to a film directed by veteran filmmaker Bharathiraja – from 16 Vayathinile to Bommalattam.The Malar also features articles on Manorama, Kannadasan, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, revisiting their artistic journeys and offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Tamil theatre, film and music. Their contributions have stood the test of time, with their performances, lyrics and melodies continuing to find new audiences across generations.For the spiritually inclined, there is plenty to explore – from temple tours and hymns celebrating Shakti to the rituals followed in temples across Tamil Nadu.The section about Indian communities — living abroad celebrating Deepavali, against a backdrop of global uncertainty and conflicts, is particularly interesting. People from across the world reveal how the festival remains a platform for cultural exchange and community bonding.The Malars have begun to focus on topics of global interest. This one carries a feature on eight museums in Northern Europe that highlights the distinctive collections and significance of each. And for the lovers of Tamil literature, short profiles of noted writers, inlcuding Ki.Ra. (Ki. Rajanarayanan), are a valuable addition.With its wide-ranging subjects and thoughtful presentation, this Deepavali Malar goes beyond being just a festival publication. Ananda Vikatan’s Deepavali Malar. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Ananda Vikatan’s Deepavali Malar opens with a compelling feature tracing Rajinikanth’s cinematic journey from Apoorva Ragangal to Jailer 2. Technicians, producers, and people who have worked closely with him share their experiences, offering readers a glimpse of the man behind the superstar. Another highlight is an interview with well-known actor-producer Geetha Kailasam. Her account of how she entered the world of acting and her enduring passion for theatre makes for an inspiring read. Articles on Gen Z actors, sportspersons and independent musicians bring a contemporary flavour to this edition. Alongside these are the magazine’s regular attractions, including short stories, humour, poetry and interviews.A particularly noteworthy conversation is with senior vainika Jayanthi Kumaresh, who takes readers through her journey from training under stalwarts to becoming one of the leading veena artistes.By bringing together history, literature, cinema, music and heritage, this year’s Deepavali Malar packs something for every reader. Bhavan’s Journal packs many insightful articles exploring the rituals and beliefs surrounding Deepavali. | Photo Credit: The Hindu The latest edition of Bhavan’s Journal presents a diverse collection of stories. Among them are short stories that drive home a message, an essay on Gandhiji and his thoughts on ‘Seven Deadly Sins of Intolerance’ and insightful articles exploring the rituals and beliefs surrounding Deepavali.One of the noteworthy contributions is Prof. Anilkumar Vadavathoor’s ‘Nature is the Deity, Trees are the Devotees’. By giving an account of how an accident impacted 90-year-old Devaki Amma, in Alappuzha, develop a passion for trees, farming and biodiversity, eventually leading her to create a green paradise, ‘Tapovanam’, which calls upon people to protect Nature as a shared responsibility. It is a message that resonates particularly strongly in today’s world.And what is a celebration of culture and heritage without music? D. Romikuttan’s article, ‘The Great Gharanas of Hindustani Classical Music’ introduces readers to the fascinating world of India’s classical music traditions. From Gwalior and Agra to Patiala, Jaipur and Rampur-Sahaswan, the article explores what makes each gharana distinctive, while introducing some of its celebrated exponents. Though short, it offers an interesting glimpse into a rich musical legacy.Spanning spirituality, science, scriptures and performing arts, this festive edition makes it an engaging read.