Karwa Chauth: No Bollywood Drama, Just Old-School Charm

Oh moon, in the sky so bright,
I fast for a bond, from dawn till night.
But not for the silver screen’s appeal,
It’s for some feelings, some thoughts & gestures- all honest and real.

Karwa Chauth, often depicted in films as a day of high drama, teary-eyed moments, and grand gestures of love, is, for me, so much more than what the movies make it out to be. It’s not about the intricately designed lehengas, the mandatory mehendi, the cinematic lighting, or the moon-gazing scenes soundtracked with violins. No, for me, Karwa Chauth has evolved into a day where I celebrate not just love, but simplicity, humility, and the quirks that come with sharing my life with my husband—an old soul in the modern world. For both of us family has always been the first and only priority so being there and celebrating quietly for each other always made more sense.

From the moment I met him, and as we got to know each other, I realized he wasn’t the grand gesture kind of guy. There were no out-of-this-world proposals, no impromptu candle-lit dinners, and certainly no speeches inspired by Bollywood. He is a man who believes in the beauty of the everyday, the charm of small acts of kindness, and the deep, unwavering bond of trust. His love has never needed frills or fanfare, and that’s why I cherish Karwa Chauth in a way that goes beyond any on-screen dramatization. My first Karwa Chauth was in the operation theatre and because of the sudden dramatic nature of the event & the operation, I went without water and food! So yeh, it started all right, no doubt!

As someone with his own delightful eccentricities, which can be very irritating at times, he’s never been one for the grandiosity of rituals. In fact, the first time I observed Karwa Chauth, he insisted that I shouldn’t fast just because of tradition. “You don’t have to do this for me and especially this way,” he said with a raised brow, genuinely perplexed at the idea of someone foregoing meals for his well-being. He would insist for the longest time to have breakfast in hiding, with me away from the table so that food would be away from me, as I insisted to keeping the fast. But over time, as we both grew into this tradition, we’ve both begun to see it as not just an act of fasting but a day of reflection, of acknowledging how far we’ve come together.

Karwa Chauth for me is less about tradition and more about a celebration of the shared quirks and idiosyncrasies that make us, us. He’s the kind of man who will roll his eyes at the dramatics of a Karwa Chauth scene on television but still make sure I have the least interference in my routine on the day, will be out in the balcony or the roof top looking for the ever elusive moon due to clouds each year, insist on keeping the water and sweet ready the moment the moon is up, all while pretending it’s “no big deal.” He doesn’t see the need for flowers, gifts, or elaborate gestures though now with my grown-up son he loves to plan, leaving his entry with all things dramatic till the very end. Needless to add he lets me in on the fact that something special is being planned. We can’t keep secrets you see. Thank goodness for that! For him, it’s all about being present and sincere in the simplest, most meaningful ways.

As the day draws to a close, and the moon makes its much-anticipated (dis)appearance (due to rains and climate change every year), there’s no music playing in the background, no sweeping camera angles. It’s just the two of us, in the quiet, celebrating a bond that’s been built over years of laughter, occasional disagreements (sometimes many), and a shared love for the simple things. He may not be a fan of the theatrics, but his old-world charm and honesty make every moment, every Karwa Chauth, truly special.

Oh moon, I see you in your glow,
Reflecting love we’ve come to know.
Not of movies, or grand displays,
But of quiet care in simple ways.

#karwachuath

#togetherasone

#traditonaloutlook