The God who lived in our conscience

The memories of Janmashtami hold a special place in the heart of the author, as it was not just a festival but a world they assembled every year. Papa, the author's father, Deepak, played a significant role in this process, helping them build the jhanki, which was adorned with old toys, some handed down from their grandparents' generation.

The house would be filled with the scent of atta, as they shaped riverbanks and bends to represent the Yamuna flowing through their jhanki. The author and their siblings, along with their cousins, gathered around the adults to create a sound-and-light drama, turning a shoebox into a primitive projector and using mirrors, reflective glass, colored cellophane, and scraps of plastic to bring the story of Krishna to life.

They acted out the various characters, from Kansa to Devaki, Vasudeva, and Krishna, who stole the butter, making it a divine and deliciously human character that was accessible to them as children. The author reflects on how Janmashtami was not just a festival but a celebration of a god who embodied various aspects of life, including joy, mischief, and love, making him relatable and accessible to them.