Festive season is over, was it fun? Was it real? Or did everything- the social media stories, the ethnic outfits, the 'family time', the celebrations and even the objections-- did it all feel like carrying the spontaneity & verve of staged, choreographed "candid" picture.

As an outsider to Diwali festivities, I am wondering is there any authenticity left in post-retail, post-rehearsed cultural hellscape where everyone is an emotional infant needing cues from ads & shows to navigate life.