LSU’s Indian students danced, sang and modeled India’s latest fashions in the Union Ballroom Sunday night to celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights – Diwali.
It was standing room only in the ballroom as women, men and small children performed classical Indian dances such as the bharatnatyam and more modern performances to karaoke. The celebration was hosted by the Indian Student Association.
“Diwali is our biggest festival,” said Vikram Rao, president of the ISA. “We celebrate the victory of light over darkness.”
In India, Diwali is celebrated at the end of the rainy season and is symbolic of the return of the sun, said Peter Sutherland, an anthropology instructor.
“The idea is that the sun has been hidden by a malevolent water spirit,” he said. “So when the sun comes back, lights are lit to welcome it. It is a welcoming of the good spirits and light.”
Rao said the festival also relates to the mythological god, Ram. According to the myth, Ram had a battle with evil spirits and won. When he returned to his kingdom, the people welcomed him with lights.
Sutherland has celebrated Diwali in India.
“Many people line their windows and rooftops with small clay bowls with oil candles in them,” he said. “Some attend festivals and watch fireworks.”
It is a time of great importance for families, comparable to Christmas or Easter, said Gail Sutherland, a religious studies associate professor.
“During Diwali, people come home for the holidays, just as people come home here for Christmas,” she said.
For Amar Dave, a biological sciences senior, the holiday is a time for his family to come together.
“For the holiday, all my extended family in the area, we all had a meal together,” he said.
And many families attended the University’s Diwali celebration. Small Indian children dressed in bright dresses came with their parents. There also were children in jeans and T-shirts joining many Americans who attended the celebration.
The Union Ballroom was decorated with garland and lights. The stage was constantly cluttered with the sparkling colors of Indian dress.
Hina Dave, a biological sciences junior, said she enjoyed the more traditional dancing and singing in the festival. The night had more value for her than mere entertainment.
“We’re all living away from India,” she said. “It’s good to be reminded of our culture, to be reminded of where we came from.”
For Hina Dave’s family, prayer also is an important component of the celebration.
Her family celebrates Puja – a religious ceremony – together on this day.
Also, her family goes to the temple in Baton Rouge. She said many other Hindus also go there to celebrate on this day.
Her family also spends the day making sweets.
Many people in India exchange sweets as a gift during Diwali, Peter Sutherland said.
“They are incredibly sweet and delicious,” he said.
In India, where the population practices Hinduism, Islam or Christianity, the holiday is celebrated by people of all faiths and is considered “an Indian holiday,” Rao said.
“I think the religious aspect is secondary,” Gale Sutherland said. “The holiday is celebrated by many, and the focus seems to be family.”