Go Party

This is an exaggerated version of the modern child’s birthday bash,marginally less dazzling versions of which can be found in Delhi and Mumbai as well. My seven-year-old son already has some pretty fantastic stories to share about the parties he’s attended and over the years his take-home presents have startled the daylights out of me.

Last year he came home with a goldfish in a bowl,a great idea I thought,if a little presumptuous: I’m simply not interested in looking after another living thing. Besides,fish in bowls make me feel guilty for eating them so I promptly gave it away. The year before,there was a kid’s golf set (Rs 3,000 minimum),a top-of-the-line tennis racquet (Rs 1,000 at least) and a miniature Casio. I’m still kicking myself for not sending him to a party where the return gift was an iPod Nano,four years ago,when iPods cost 10,000 bucks. At my son’s party,much to his disgust,the return gift was The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton (Rs 60 when bought in bulk),a must read for all kids.

There are no figures available for the kids party industry in India but a wedding planner I met recently told me that of her 8 crore turnover,about 10% is from birthday parties for all ages. She says she’s done events for first birthdays which are bigger than most weddings. She recalled building Cinderella’s castle for a Haryana politician’s three-year-old daughter. The tragedy was the child slept through her party.

Critics may sneer at these upstart-ish parties,however they’ve spawned off an entirely new industry which even in an age of financial uncertainty,is only growing. After 63 years of Independence and several economic booms,surprisingly few Indians live rock star-ish lives. Thriftiness seems to be in our genes and such lavishness for many of us is an expression of waste and consumption.

Truly discerning parents however,are opting for the cool new fad,green birthday parties,where balloons and plastic cups are just not on and have been replaced by old fashioned streamers and other recycled paper decorations. Kids are encouraged to ditch wrapping paper and use old newspapers instead,and goody bags are a strict no-no. Some Delhi schools routinely send notices home to take it easy when it comes to parties,an effort to stem whatever pressures parents feel to have the perfect celebration. The eco-friendly birthday is a different kind of statement,and probably,the party of the future.

(hutkayfilms@gmail.com)