My father used to celebrate all festivals like Eid, Diwali, Holi

Host: The soft glow of the afternoon sun spills through the window, illuminating the quiet space of the room. Jack sits across from Jeeny, the two of them sitting in the center of a small, cozy café. Outside, the world moves by, but inside, it feels as if time has slowed. The gentle murmur of nearby conversations fills the space, but it's the laughter of a nearby child that catches the ear, carrying with it a warmth that seems to match the gentle glow of the sun.

Jeeny: “Shabana Azmi once said, ‘My father used to celebrate all festivals like Eid, Diwali, Holi, Christmas, etc. with great gusto.’ It always makes me think about how some people are able to blend traditions so seamlessly.”

Jack: He takes a slow sip from his cup, his eyes narrowing slightly. “That sounds like someone who didn’t want to choose between cultures. It’s almost like he saw value in all of them, not just the one he came from.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. There’s something so beautiful about that, don’t you think? To not only celebrate your own traditions but to embrace the richness of others as well. His life must have been full of so much joy and acceptance, a world where gusto isn’t just for the things you know, but for everything that makes us human.”

Host: Jeeny’s voice carries the warmth of her words, and Jack’s gaze softens, his eyes reflecting a thoughtfulness that wasn’t there a moment ago. Outside, the wind stirs the trees, the sound blending with the rhythm of their conversation.

Jack: “But is it that simple? I mean, I get the idea of blending cultures, but sometimes, celebrating everything can feel like it waters down the significance of each thing. Like you’re not truly engaging with the meaning, just going through the motions of festivals.”

Jeeny: She leans forward, her eyes steady, her voice soft but firm. “I don’t think it’s about watering anything down. I think it’s about celebration in its purest form. To celebrate Eid with the same enthusiasm as Christmas doesn’t diminish the importance of either — it expands the experience. It opens you up to new worlds, new meanings, new connections. Isn’t that the beauty of it? To see the common thread between all these celebrations?”

Host: There’s a shift in the air, a sense of warmth spreading through the space, as though Jeeny’s words have cracked open something that was closed before. Jack stirs in his seat, turning his thoughts over, feeling the weight of the conversation settle into something more reflective.

Jack: “Maybe. But don’t you think it’s easy for some people to lose track of their own roots when they embrace everything? It’s like, in trying to honor all the festivals, you risk losing the significance of your own culture, your own traditions.”

Jeeny: “But that’s the difference, Jack. Embracing other traditions doesn’t mean you lose your own. It’s about building on what you already have, creating a bigger, more inclusive understanding of the world. Your roots are still yours, but you’re branching out, understanding that there’s more than just one way to see the world.”

Host: Jack’s brow furrows, but the conversation flows gently around them, the rain outside now picking up, a soft drumming against the windows. Jeeny’s words seem to settle into the silence between them, her voice a quiet rhythm that contrasts with the storm outside.

Jack: “I see what you’re saying. But I still wonder if it’s a bit of a sacrifice. There’s something personal about the way we celebrate. When you open yourself up to everything, is there anything left that’s truly yours?”

Jeeny: “It’s not about diluting what’s yours. It’s about expanding it. Just like your heart can hold space for many people, it can hold space for many cultures. Celebrating Eid, Diwali, and Christmas doesn’t mean you’re dividing yourself. It means you’re enriching who you are, seeing the world in all its colors.”

Host: The conversation hangs in the air, the rhythm of their words like an intimate dance, each one stepping forward and back, testing the ground. Outside, the storm settles, but inside, there’s a growing stillness that feels like an answer waiting to be found.

Jack: “I guess, it’s just hard for me to understand how people can find room for so much. I think I’d get lost in all of it.”

Jeeny: “Maybe. But maybe that’s the point. There’s a freedom in embracing it all, Jack. In letting go of the idea that there’s only one way to live, one way to celebrate, one way to be. Shabana Azmi’s father wasn’t losing himself by celebrating all those festivals; he was embracing the world around him with open arms. That’s a life that feels complete.”

Host: The air in the café seems to settle, a quiet peace surrounding them. Jack’s gaze softens, and he sits back, the tension of his earlier thoughts giving way to something more comfortable, a shared understanding slowly building between them.

Jack: “Maybe it’s just that I’ve always felt there’s a trade-off between tradition and exploration. But I guess there’s space for both, if you can hold them together without feeling pulled apart.”

Jeeny: She smiles, a soft but knowing smile. “Exactly. It’s not about compromise; it’s about finding the balance that works for you. Celebration is a reflection of who we are, and if we can celebrate freely, we’re living with an open heart. Shabana Azmi’s father understood that — and so should we.”

Host: The quiet of the café is now infused with a sense of peace, the lingering thoughts of their conversation hanging between them like a delicate thread. Jack takes another sip of his coffee, his thoughts now more open, the weight of their words settling into a quiet kind of understanding. The storm outside has passed, leaving only the soft rhythms of the world beyond.