Written by Tarushi Singh
Edited by Vyakhya Vashishth
Illustrated by Ananya Prabhakar
Do you all know why October is the scariest month? It's not Halloween but it's the fact that it's full of festivities and to celebrate all of them, a leave is needed. And nothing haunts us more than attendance below 75% with no claims, but I can't help it - ‘’Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai’’.
October in India brings with it the season of fall and harvest, festivities, warmth and a staggering display of India’s cultural multiplicity. The multifarious nature of India has played a pivotal role in establishing it as a safe and welcoming space for numerous cultures and people. This has resulted in many trends becoming an inseparable part of India’s identity and culture, and Halloween is one of them. All Hallows Night or Halloween for me has always been like a fancy dress festival experience that is incomplete without a Trick or Treats riddle and some spooky stories. So here's a small riddle for all of you, anyone who answers correctly can ask Eden for a treat:
”I have a neighborhood where everyone lies, the visitors often confess their crimes.
Prime days don't have me in sight, but when in sight tears adorn your eyes, who am I?’’
Guessing the answer won't be a tough task if you carefully detect the more than obvious clues in the article.
The theme of my article revolves around the trends that have been set by Halloween in India. The main reason why I chose this was that the 2010s brought with them a spike in themed parties and cosplaying events in India and as a teenager, seeing that shift in culture was very fascinating. The popularization of Halloween on social media made me notice the numerous trends Halloween has set in India like makeup trends, cosplaying games, and themed parties and games.
Themed parties have become an essential feature of almost all occasions; it’s like the spice that makes the curry unique. Since the 2010s, the world became more globalized and the cultures of various communities outside of India started seeping into the culture of India, most of it because of social media. Themes such as Harry Potter, Vikings, Marvel, Barbie, Alice in Wonderland, Horror Houses, Euphoria, and The Little Mermaid are some of the narratives that have traveled from the west to India. These in turn have taken up shapes of aesthetics or dress codes that we follow irrespective of the occasion.
Take the example of Euphoria. The 2019 HBO series is known for its fashionable and unique clothing choices. The 'Y2K' look with luxuries is the base of all looks, and it is focused on a hyperfemised look containing bright tones and eye-catching make up. The clothing and the looks have turned into themes and aesthetics for the present generation. Numerous parties, since the release of the show, have been based on the theme of Euphoria.
This trend of themed parties where one dressed up to conceal their identity came from the 'Trick or Treat' trend, where one tricked a person and got away with it, and concealed their own identity to do so. Thus, dressing up is an essential part of Halloween.
My second analysis is about makeup and trends. It draws on many examples from the first analysis which was about costumes and aesthetics. Makeup is similar to the costumes as it’s used to modify one’s identity as per their choices. The use of edgy clothing, glitters, and bling in Euphoria, meshed perfectly with the glorious and scandalous themes of teenagers that had been portrayed in the show. The usage of glitters and rhinestones has increased since the show's release. Additionally, smoky eyes and a spooky look has been the go to for many people; numerous influencers post makeup reels which comprise of various aesthetics and genres. This has been a breakthrough for many artists to show their talent and many people have been exposed to the kind of makeup and cultures that are followed in other countries.
Furthermore, the games that have been introduced by Halloween are very unique as they all share an element of horror. The games such as ‘Trick or Treat’, ‘Guess the Gross Food ', ‘Halloween Movie Mania’, and ‘Werewolf’ all have elements of inciting horror on the subjects. Whenever we think of Halloween, these games are sure to cross our mind, and subsequently, we adapt to these games according to our interests and continue to popularize them.
Overall, Halloween has continued to add to the cultural fabric of any state or culture over the past few years, and also exhibits the adaptability that social media has generated within us. The trends have been modified according to our needs and get adopted by our cultures seamlessly. Halloween might seem like a festival for only social media to many but its impact is extensive. From Halloween themed movies to Halloween themed clothes and even food, there is something for everyone! So, what’s your pick this season?
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