Muhammad Afzal
Today is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions such as Jainism and Sikhism. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Happy celebrations!
Fireworks had been introduced to Delhi centuries before this painting was made. The earliest recorded use of pyrotechnics in South Asia dates to the 14th century; they were a regular feature of celebrations, from weddings to royal festivities, by the mid-15th century. Medieval Indian manuals even recorded recipes for fireworks, calling for unusual ingredients such as iron powder, food-based pastes, and cow urine. Today, fireworks remain central to the subcontinent’s festive traditions, most vividly during Diwali.
In this scene, women of the Mughal imperial court appear to have slipped away from a larger gathering to enjoy the night sky on their own. The artist shows them in delicately embroidered garments that echo the golden bursts of sparks cascading from a friend’s lit firework. On the right, a nursemaid wrapped in a white shawl extends a velvety apricot to a mischievous child reaching eagerly for his treat. Meanwhile, the sparkler’s glow illuminates the women’s faces and bathes the surrounding foliage in soft, flickering light.
P.S. As Diwali reminds us of the light shining through darkness, why not bring art’s light into your everyday life? Our 2026 DailyArt Calendars are here to brighten each day with masterpieces.
P.P.S. To celebrate this joyful holiday, see the Diwali festival through art!