Diwali: Festival of Lights is Bright

A dancer during the Diwali Festival of Lights. Photo Courtesy / Office of University Relations
A dancer during the Diwali Festival of Lights. Photo Courtesy / Office of University Relations
A dancer during the Diwali Festival of Lights.
Photo Courtesy / Office of University Relations

By Daniel Acosta
SC Contributing Writer

On Saturday, October 18, the Desi Student Organization treated their guests to, as they put it, “a night of food, song, and dance,” for celebrating the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights.

Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil in the world, as well as the victory of knowledge over ignorance.

This celebration paraded the fact that there is still knowledge and good in the world.

The event started with being greeted by a beautiful and elaborate Rangoli (art made of colored rice), and after watching the first dance number, the audience was blown away.

The festival continued with a selection of dances accompanied by music, starting with the traditional Indian dance, Bharatanatyam, and moving on to more modern Indian music.

The traditional Indian attire that each of the dancers wore were very colorful, and some even dazzled with light and sparkled.

Even if a few dance numbers used more modern clothing, it didn’t take away from the effort that the performers put into their dancing.

The dancers moved to the music in fluid motions full of energy and attitude. Matching the music itself, there was a fast pace to the dancing, as well as a graceful tone to match its wild side.

After the dancing, the audience was treated to a dinner with a wide range of Indian foods to select from. Overall, the consensus of the food sampled was that it was spicy, but in a delicious and flavorful way, not in an overpowering way.

What made this cultural overflow complete was the inclusion of live music by two performers, one on a percussion instrument, and the other on a string.

The event had the audience romanticizing the idea of the Indian culture, as it continued to entertain everyone with one event after the other.

After dinner was served, the audience was rewarded with dessert. The dessert consisted of ice cream in two Indian flavors: mango and rose. Yes, rose, as in the flower!

After dinner and dessert, there was a fashion show. Many performers showed off their Indian attire for everyone to see.

They ended the celebration with an open dance floor to the Indian folk dance called Dandiya.

The enjoyment on everyone’s faces as they danced with their batons showed their happiness and excitement.

From the music and dancing, to the delicious cuisine, the festival is highly recommended to anyone and everyone looking for a festive and exciting way to spend their weekend to attend next year’s Diwali celebration.

It’s not only an enriching experience; it’s also a fun one that you have to experience for yourself.

Email Daniel at:
dacosta1@live.esu.edu