Everyone knows about Halloween and Thanksgiving, but there’s another fall holiday celebrated by 2.2 million people in the U.S. every year. It’s Diwali, the five-day Hindu festival of lights. This holiday is filled with fireworks, good food, music and plenty of celebration to ring in the Hindu new year.
The name “Diwali” translates into “row of lamps” in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. According to the lunar calendar, the final and most important day falls on Nov. 3 this year; the four days before the big celebration, families spend time cleaning and conducting religious ceremonies to purify their homes, bodies and minds. On the final day, parades and street festivals happen all over the country, and at night, families light small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil, or the light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance.
The lights also welcome the presence of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, which is why Indian businesses begin their financial year in November. People share homemade sweets and snacks with family and friends, exchange presents and set off firecrackers to scare away evil spirits and thoughts.
At NSU, the Indian Student Association celebrates the holiday with its annual Diwali Show, usually held in the Flight Deck in mid-November. This year, the show will be held in the Performance Theatre at the Don Taft University Center on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., although the time is subject to change. Undergraduate and graduate students come together to share their religious traditions and Indian culture, and about 200 people are expected attend.
The show will include about 10 student performances, including several singers and a dance by NSU’s Maasti Indian dance team. The team performs bhangra, a style of folk dance that originates from North India.
Stacy Illikal, sophomore biology major and a dancer on the team, said, “We are so excited to be given this opportunity to showcase Indian culture though dance.”
Last year’s show celebrated India’s Bollywood film industry with its “Filmfare Awards” theme. The hosts impersonated famous Bollywood actresses, and awards were given throughout the night for the best performances and outfits.
Prahasi Kacham, sophomore biology major, was one of the hosts. “I won’t be performing in the show this year, but I’m still super excited to see it,” she said.
The show is being organized by ISA’s executive board, with sophomore biology major Meera Bhalani as the event coordinator. “The show is an amazing opportunity to see different styles of dance India has to offer, and cheer on any of your friends performing,” said Bhalani.
The event will be free for NSU students, faculty and staff, and $5 for members of the community. Catered Indian food will also be available at the show for $2.
