< Back | Home

The Hindu Student Council hosted its annual Diwali Festival to a record turnout on Saturday, November 3 in the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center.

Hinduism shines at Diwali festival

By: Ming Wen

Posted: 11/8/07

Hopkins Hindus gathered Saturday night for the annual Diwali Festival. The "Festival of Lights" involves lights or lamps that signify the raising of darkness and the triumph of good over evil.

Organized and put on by the Hindu Student Council, Diwali brought together people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds to enjoy a night of spirited singing, dramatic dances and great food.

"Diwali is such a special holiday because it gives us the chance to gather as families or communities and celebrate," said Shyam Khatau, president of the Hindu Student Council.

The gymnasium of the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center was packed with both Hindus and casual observers alike. Children dressed in beautiful, dazzlingly colorful dresses and imitated what they saw on stage.

The Diwali Festival started at 7 p.m. with free food for all in attendance. At 8 p.m., the dances started. Shakti, a dance group, performed the Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India.

"It was a great experience. It was so wonderful to celebrate a part of my culture at Hopkins," said junior Sphoorti Umarjee, who danced with Shakti. "There was such a large turn out because of parents weekend so it was great to perform for a full audience."

Hareepa performed the Bhangra, a fusion of music, singing and the beat of the dhol drum, a single stringed instrument called the iktar, the tumbi and a tong-like instrument called chimta.

Raas and Garba Explosion performed the Raas, a dance form which is actually the staging of a mock fight. Nicknamed "The Sword Dance," it shows the conflict between the Goddess and Mahishasura the mighty demon-king. The sticks of the dance represent the sword of Durga.

The fantastically-dressed dancers whirled their arms and feet in a unified, rhythmic manner to the tune of the music, which prominently featured drum beats. The performance by Kranti, an Indian a capella group, put an intimate twist on Hindu traditions.

The audience was receptive to all the dances and cheered loudly during the dramatic ending of the Raas, in which the performers fell straight forward onto their chests.

"I thought they did a great job. I thought all the groups that performed were really good," senior Ashwini Niranjan said.

Afterwards, attendees were encouraged to stick around and chat and even learn how to perform their own Raas or Bharatanatyam.

The atmosphere was light and extremely festive, as would be expected from the grand decorations of lights strung all across the gymnasium.

Diwali is usually celebrated with such great festivities. "In India, you would be able to hear the singing from every house and see the fireworks from every rooftop. The week surrounding Diwali is always filled with parties and general merriment," Khatau said.

According to Hindu tradition, many years ago Lord Vishnu decided to take an earthly form. He was born as the Prince Rama, the ideal son, husband, brother and ruler who was loved by everyone. However, he was banished from his kingdom and exiled to the woods for 14 years.

While in the woods, his wife, Sita, was kidnapped by the 10-headed demon, Ravana. To get Sita back, the prince waged war on Ravana's kingdom. The day on which Ravana was killed is known as Dussera, which usually falls two weeks before Diwali.

Ravana was defeated just as Prince Rama's exile was coming to an end. In anticipation of his arrival and of Ravana's defeat, the people in Rama's kingdom lined the streets with lights and waited anxiously for his arrival. When he came home on Diwali night, there was much celebration and rejoicing.

"It's supposed to represent the defeat of evil by good," Niranjan said.