It's all in the family...

The season of renewal is here and Christians in the City are making elaborate plans for Easter Sunday. For many, it is a day to meet and greet, and of grand reunions, while for others it is time to reflect on the past year. 

Smitha Suderraj, a Kannadiga, who works as a cardiac perfusionist with Apollo Hospitals, says that the festivities are on for the entire week. “Through the Holy Week, we pray together. On Easter day, we all sit around and have a good time, and sometimes even head out to shop!” she says. Her cousins paint on Easter eggs and the  house they gather in is also decorated with it. “It is also a time for games like ‘Housie’ or ‘Uno’, and it turns into a madhouse with everyone trying to win the game. While we give thanks for our blessings, we also look back at the year gone by,” she adds.

For Joel Rahul Anand, a Tamilian, who works as an infrastructure technical consultant, ‘Easter’ is one of those days when he and his family spend quality time together. “Sometimes, we get together at a relative’s house, sing and play games that revolve around Biblical characters or ‘Antakashari’,” says Joel. He adds that the day includes going out with family and spending time together.

“Sometimes, we make spontaneous plans to have dinner outside. There have also been times when after church, we head out for a day’s tour,” says Joel. Though there are no grand plans for this year, the family will be together.

The day is not just about spending time with family but also with friends, says Ajo K Jose, a Keralite who lives here with wife Sangeetha and children Alwin and Ann Mary. “Though we do not have an extended family here, we always invite our friends and colleagues home and enjoy the grand feast together. We break the Lent fast in the morning and around lunch time, the group starts the festivities with wine and plum cake, just like we do for Christmas,” says Ajo.

It is a good time of the year to celebrate whatever one gave up for the season. “The festivities are now limited to the specific day. As a child, I remember how the preparations for the day would begin from Saturday itself and we would get excited about meeting our cousins,” he says.

Pushpa Bibeiro, who works with a multi-national company, remembers her childhood when she used to wait to make Easter eggs. “That was the time when we indulged in them. The chocolate eggs are a still part of the spread we make,” she says. For her and her husband Cyril, it is a big family affair. “We love being hosts for the day. The whole family comes together and plays games,” she says.

For Katherine Maureen Lazar, a Goan, Easter Sunday has always been a colourful
affair. “I remember heading to the church and then having a heavy lunch at home.
Apart from family celebrations, the whole town would be excited as a community. There would be several street activities like plays, musical performances and even dances during the day,” she says. Katherine recollects how exchanging gifts, flowers, lanterns, Easter bunnies and eggs were a big part of the festivities. “Here, the celebrations are very spiritual. But I love how I can spend time with people and make it a grand party at home,” she adds.