Halloween: spooky, funny and a little crazy-all at once

Kiyan Merchant of Embassy Pristine, Bellandur, had an eventful Halloween night. He loved dressing up, running around with friends and seeing which houses had the best candy stash.

“It’s my favourite time of the year because everyone gets to be spooky, funny and a little crazy- all at once,” smiles the nine-year-old.

At Embassy Pristine, residents taking part were asked to display a pumpkin poster on their doors to signal participation. “They also kept around 100 candies or chocolates ready for the little monsters and ghosts making their rounds,” said Pushpa Kumar, cultural secretary. Kids in Bengaluru apartments revelled in being spooky on Halloween night.

Donning masks and scary costumes, they went door-to-door, asking ‘trick or treat’ and collecting candies and sweets. Chaarvi Singh of MRKR Mera Homes at Seegehalli in Kadugodi was worried her two and a half-year-old twin boys- Nihit and Ridit-would be scared seeing the ghost masks, but she didn’t want them to miss out on the fun. “Our apartment complex organised a Halloween party yesterday. Children loved it. They had a great time, checking out each other’s costumes, sharing ghost stories, and eating truckloads of candies,” she says.

Celtic festival with modern twistsWith revellers being largely unaware of how the customs began, much of the original meaning of the festival has faded into oblivion. Halloween is one of those festivals that Christianity has assimilated into its traditions, notes Jerrin Chandan S, assistant professor of English at St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. “Originally, Halloween was an ancient Celtic festival where people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off spirits.

Over time, it became associated with All Saints' Day.” Jerrin points out that capitalism has turned Halloween into a commercial event centred around shopping and entertainment. "The festival rooted in culture and spirituality is no longer what it used to be," he rues. VOICE BOXHalloween means turning the whole street into a playground of ghosts.

It’s about friends, candies and that little thrill of pretending to be someone else for a night.Navya Anil,24, SINGER, PERFORMER AND DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGERHalloween, once steeped in cultural memory and spiritual resonance, has gradually drifted into a commercial spectacle divorced from its historical roots. What was once a solemn reflection on life, death, and community is now a mere performance of costumes and consumption. When change unfolds without remembrance, it breeds mindlessness.

Awareness of tradition does not demand belief. A thoughtful engagement, however, would allow rituals like Halloween to retain meaning in an evolving world. Jerrin Chandan S, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AT ST JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY, BENGALURU I wait all year for Halloween! I get to wear cool costumes, meet friends, and fill my bag with treats. It’s spooky and awesome!

I love seeing all the houses decorated with pumpkins and lights, and guessing who’s behind each funny mask. The best part is shouting ‘Trick or Treat!’ and running to the next house before the candy runs out!” Kiyan Merchant,9, EMBASSY PRISTINE APARTMENT, BELLANDUR