BENGALURU: The spooky spirit of Halloween is engulfing Bengalureans this year, albeit in an indoorsy, close-knit way. Though some are still choosing costumes and scary outfits, many youngsters plan to spend it with families and friends carving pumpkins, cooking and watching scary movies.
Pramod M, a techie, bought three pumpkins to carve. "I saved some interesting YouTube tutorials. We'll hang a light inside the carved pumpkins and play games and watch movies," said the HSR Layout resident who lives with his family.
"Staying indoors and safe should be better because nothing can be scarier than Covid," he chuckles.
Anushka Saha, 20, a student, said she loves dressing up for Halloween and used to go for 'trick and treating' when in school. "This year, my 11-year-old brother and I will dress up as our favourite fictional characters, make white sauce pasta and squish cherry tomatoes and add ketchup on it (to give it a look of blood)," she said.
Another Benglaurean, Nikitha Venugopal, a software development engineer based in Bay Area, California, said it's the first time she'll be baking goodies and trying pumpkin carvings. "I'll take the help of online tutorials and use my imagination," she said, adding that Bengalureans in the Bay Area celebrate Halloween in a grand manner.
Many Bengalureans who moved back from the US are making Halloween special this year. Though most are avoiding parties, they're decorating their homes with pumpkin carving being the highlight. Ashish Bhutada, founder and CEO, Make My Garden, said is hosting a Halloween Night with Family at their garden in Begur. It includes pumpkin carving, pottery station, pumpkin bowling, games, trick and treat with a bonfire too.
"My wife and co-founder of Make My Garden Chetana designed the place and will guide families during the pumpkin carvings. Many families who returned from the US are excited about the event. It is exciting to recreate those festive vibes. We grew pumpkin in our gardens last year and thought we could connect it with Halloween," he said.
Party scene not as grand
Vinod Vishwanath of Sherlock's Pub, Kammanahalli says though they're hosting a Halloween party, it won't be as huge as last year. "We have all safety measures in place and Halloween as well as pumpkin-themed decorations," he said.