For musicians Vijay Prakash and Mahathi Vijay Prakash, Dhanteras is as much about collecting musical memories as it is about buying gold and silver. Buying a coin is still part of their festive ritual, but the couple’s idea of an investment goes beyond precious metals. On this festive occasion, the singer and his wife reflect on the musical instruments they have picked up during their travels, the memories attached to them, and the timeless joy of creating music together. Excerpts:‘True wealth lies in relationships and good health’Shedding light on how they usher in the festivities, Mahathi says, “We usually buy a gold or silver coin because it is considered auspicious during the festival, and place it in our mandir. It is a symbol of growth and prosperity.” But for the couple, prosperity is not measured in material possessions alone. “We also pray for abundance in terms of relationships and good health. It is not just about money. It all begins with a simple prayer at home: ‘May everyone be well, and may all our well-wishers be healthy and happy,’” she says.‘Our Diwali is a beautiful blend of cultures’Having spent 25 years in Mumbai before moving to Bengaluru, the couple has embraced traditions from across the country. Vijay was born in Mysuru and Mahathi grew up in Mumbai, so their celebrations naturally blend different cultures. “Culturally, we have kind of acquired all cultures. Our festivals are more of a pan-India film. We have taken different things from different cultures and celebrated in our style,” says Vijay.One such tradition they have brought to Bengaluru is Diwali Pahat, the Maharashtrian custom of welcoming the festival with early-morning musical concerts. “Actually, ours is more of a musical Diwali. Apart from all the rituals, I would say the celebrations are largely musical,” he explains.‘Our most treasured investments are musical’Collecting musical instruments is another way of investing in what they hold dear. Each instrument carries a story, a memory of a place or a moment that has stayed with them. “A tanpura is the basic instrument that every musician should have. Even when we go on holidays, when Vijay sees an instrument rooted in the local culture of that place, he always tries to pick it up,” says Mahathi.Their collection includes little instruments picked up during their travels, sometimes even at roadside stops while driving across Karnataka for concerts. One of Vijay’s most cherished possessions is a tiny wind-up piano he bought in Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Mozart. “You wind it up, and it plays a Mozart piece. It is a small little piano. Very cute,” he says.Mahathi, meanwhile, is fond of a small manjira-like instrument, which she uses while performing folk and theatrical music. “Suddenly, you start singing something very local and you just play that. You don’t need anything else. It sounds so authentic,” she says.This Dhanteras, Vijay is planning to upgrade his studio with new software, a keyboard or a microphone. Mahathi, however, has a more practical purchase in mind: a fresh pair of headphones, something the couple is perpetually short of. “I think I’ll buy a new pair of headphones for my studio and perhaps a microphone,” she says.‘Let peace be the sparkle this Diwali’Asked what they wish for most this Diwali, the couple’s answers go beyond material comforts and musical treasures. For Vijay, what the world needs right now is greater understanding and acceptance among people. “More than money, more than technology, more than AI, we need understanding of each other,” he says.Expanding on the thought, he adds, “When there is acceptance, there is no question of tolerance. Tolerance comes into the picture when there is conflict. But if you accept something, then there is only love. And love brings peace.”The singer feels that for all the progress humanity has made in every field, the world seems to have forgotten two essential values. “The centre of gravity for all human existence is love and peace. And that is missing big time,” he says.His festive wish is not for more material abundance but for a world richer in compassion, acceptance and harmony. “Let love make noise and let peace glitter. We need something to make noise and something to glitter. Let love make noise and let peace be the sparkler,” he says. And perhaps that is the loveliest way to celebrate Diwali: with music in our hearts, love in our words and peace lighting up our lives.
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