Halloween is a very popular tradition among Americans where people dress up as their favourite characters and go trick or treat, watch horror movies, visit scary houses and enjoy the eerie evening. Many of us would have watched American movies and TV shows and wondered what it would be like to go to one of those Halloween parties. Wait no more as Halloween is almost here and Coimbatore is gearing up to celebrate the dead.
Unlike many metro-cities, Coimbatore is still in the phase of opening up to different cultures. But few cafes in the city are hosting parties for Halloween. One of the hot spots this Halloween is @641 community in Sai Baba Colony. The owner of Cafe Shanjay says "This is the first time I am hosting a Halloween party. I just want to test the water and see how many people are turning up this year. But a lot of youngsters have been calling me and asking if there are any Halloween parties, so I am expecting a crowd".
The cafe is planning to conduct games like costume ramp, trick or treat and apple bobbing. 'We are also planning to screen scary movies and also give a stage to share ghost stories. There will also be few pranks among the customers" he adds. Like 641, Creators Cafe is also hosting a Halloween party for those aged above 18 years. "Our set up is very scary and that's why the restriction' says M Stalinkumar, the organiser. They are planning to include a scary house with a scary ramp, search for the evil cat (a treasure hunting game) along with dinner.
'We will also have a DJ night and face painting. The face painting is because I don't trust many people will turn up with a costume as the city is still new to parties like this. So, we decided to include face painting," adds Stalin. While the cafes are in the process of setting up the Halloween theme, youngsters are deciding their costumes. "Since my childhood, I always wanted to go trick or treating like those in American movies. Because I was curious and wanted to experience it myself so to finally do it in the city is awesome" says Harshad B Nambiar. He further adds that 'I would go as my favourite superhero, Batman'. While Harshad is planning to go as a Batman another lad is planning on going as a Joker. "I think the joker suits me as I have a creepy smile. And I have dressed up as joker before" laughs Soma Saravanna.
"Halloween is still up and coming and a lot of people still won't go out dressed in crazy costumes. I am going to the Halloween party to see how many people are as curious as me and to meet like-minded people". While the popular custom among guys goes with Batman, Joker and Phantom, girls are planning to dress up as Katniss Everdeen, Batgirl, Catwoman and even Harley Quinn.
"I would go as Katniss as she's strong and an opinionated woman," says Sushmitha A, while Tandis Atoun from Persia says she will go as Batgirl "as she is one character that I adore and it is easy to dress up. In my country, we start to prepare for Halloween much earlier and it's pretty popular there. Here there is not much sign of Halloween but I'm happy that I could get to go to parties".
As Halloween is still new in the city many are just expecting to enjoy the day and experience the day differently. "I want to enjoy the eeriness of the day. Even though it will not be as grand as America, we will take what we can get from our city. The only thing is I really hope people turn up to the parties wearing costumes because that is the whole fun" concludes K Dharshan.
