The Chemistry of Lohri

Yesterday was quite an interesting day. I spent the better part of the day preparing for chem, which ensured that I passed in today's paper, and the night was devoted to one of those yearly festival thingummies that comes around every 13th of January, namely Lohri/Lodi(No, not Behn Di, as Manav would have you believe).
Now, I would have myself believe that everyone knows about Lohri, but this is a great bout of cultural hooliganism. And yes, I really felt like using that word. Anyhow, the point is, not too many people outside of Punjab and Delhi really know what it's all about, so here's my pint sized take.
Lohri is basically a harvest festival, it has a lead up of a few days, and is finally celebrated on the 13th of January every year. It's traditionally supposed to be the time of change, when the winter makes it's last hurrah, and from now on, sunny days shine ahead. I hope this is true, and judging by the warm sun this afternoon, things are indeed looking up.
The days before Lohri are traditionally spent in what is basically the Punjabi equivalent of Carolling (for lack of a better analogy). Kids usually go around houses, collecting whatever there is to offer, and singing songs in a sort of annoying way to get what they actually want. Money.
Anyhow, such things are not very common these days in mixed society, but as Papa said, the mohal (atmosphere) was there when they lived in Daryajang, which is pretty much the textbook definition of Humble beginnings in Delhi. I'm sure there are enough Lohri singers still around in more Punjabi dominated areas of Delhi, but I lived in a pretty mixed colony.
Anyhow, we move on. On Lohri night, a bonfire is lit in the house, or as the case sensibly is, just outside the house. Obtained for stoking the fire are the essentials, good wood, and the non essentials, Gajak, Moongphali (peanuts), popcorn (admittedly, a recent addition to Lohri tradition), chikki, and other sweetened and fattening things that burn well, both inside and outside one's stomach. Then one sits around the fire, with one's family and near friends, in our case we invited our neighbours and family friends, and generally enjoy the nice fire, and good food. Then, Bua gets into a fun mood, and takes it upon herself to sing one of the afore mentioned Lohri Songs. I have, incredibly, found this on the net, and will reproduce it in entirity.

Sunder mundriye Ho
Tera kaun bachera Ho
Dhulla bhatti wala Ho
Dulle dhi vaiahi Ho
Ser Shakar Pai Ho
Kudi de boje pai Ho
Kudi da lal pataka Ho
Kudi da salu pata Ho
Salu kaun samete Ho
Chacha gal dese Ho
Chache churi kuti Ho
Jimindara luti Ho
Jimindara sado Ho
Gin gin paule lao Ho
Ik paula reh gaya
Sepai fadh kei lai gaya
Sepai ne mari it

Now, if after hearing this, your family is still not amneable to the old time money minding carollers, you are then universally shunned, and they will loudly yell infront of your house
--"Hookah hookah hookah, Ai Ghaar Pukha"
Which translates into this house is a bunch of hungry misers.
The whole thing concludes with a nice dinner, and for me, a good nights sleep before the chem paper. Well, at least this year it did.
This is one of my favourite festivals, actually, and it's a shame it's not really well known outside our little land. I'd spread it, if I had the time, but I'm afraid for the moment, I've just run out.