Diwali; a celebration known as the Festival of Lights, where one lights diyas (small clay pots immersed with coconut oil and a wick) to commemorate the victory of good over evil or the balance of light and darkness. In spiritual connotation, it represents the awareness of light within the self. Celebrations take place during the new moon in the month of Kartika, or November in the Gregorian calendar, and lasts for six days. It is a widely celebrated holiday for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. In Hinduism, the people of Ayodhya, the capital of Lord Rama’s kingdom, welcomed the homecoming of Lord Rama by lighting rows (vali) of lamps (deepa), or Deepavali, after the defeat of the demon-king Ravan. Eventually, the word Deepavali transformed into Diwali in Hindi and Dipawali in Napali. In Jainism, Lord Mahavira attains nirvana and Diwali is the celebration of this significant event. In Sikhism, Diwali celebrates the welcoming of the release of Guru Har Gobind, who was imprisoned with other Hindu kings, by the lighting of diyas. In Sikhism, Diwali is also known as Bandi Chhorh Divas, or the Day of Release of Detainees. Diwali is also celebrated by Newar Buddhists in Nepal. Diwali is now a national event; typically celebrated among Indian and Nepalese of all faiths.
Diwali Dhoom, provided and planned by the Indian Students Association (ISA), presented a modern and traditional celebration and entertainment for families, students, and community members in the auditorium within NEIU’s Student Union on Nov. 7. Elegantly designed programs and tickets covered the ticket table, and off to the side was a table with information for Asha for Education, a nonprofit organization representing hope for the education of underprivileged children in India. Within the long line of those to enter, some came dressed in modern clothing, while some came dressed in traditional saris (traditional garments worn by women). Eventually, the entire auditorium was filled with excited people in anticipation of the event.
During the beginning of the show, the United States and Indian national anthems were sung by Mariyam Ali and Jacob Chacko, portraying the significance of Indian culture and pride of the United States. The all female a cappella group, Chandani, also represented unification of cultures. The members consisted of Hindi and English women from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign, who have performed in various locations throughout the states. Their songs consisted of pop music and Hindu tunes.
This merging of cultures was also symbolized through a memorable moment of lighting the diya. NEIU President Sharon Hahs joined ISA Advisor Rohit Joshi on stage to light the diya in celebration of Diwali. Then after an appreciation speech, Rohit Joshi presented a gift to the President, as the crowd applauded with content.
Most of the show consisted of elaborate choreographies manipulated by talented ISA members. In Dhoom Again!, students grooved to hip-hop beats merging movements in synchronicity. In Love Story 2008, KZ Mohammed and Sapna Shah displayed the romantic side of sound through graceful gestures and elegant formal wear. Street wear and street dancing emanated through hip-hop vibrations in Mumbai ke Bhai Chicago Mein (Mumbai Gansters in Chi-town). Another dancing highlight was Einak, a skillful belly dancing performance executed by Lizette Yackle, a student in the Jasmin Jahal Dance Company. Other dancing performances consisted of Dard-e-Disco, Desi/Hip-Hop Remix, and KZ and the Dancing Divas. The recurrence of dance performances within Diwali Dhoom rendered the importance of the human body to its fluidity in convergence to the pulsations of sound.
Other events consisted of “What is Diwali?”, an educational skit in pertinence to the meaning of Diwali, “NEIU’s Got Talent”, a mock spin-off displaying comedy and dancing skills, a beautiful piano performance by Shreepaad Dave, two short movie clips of the making of Diwali Dhoom, and Desi Inc., a local Chicago hip-hip duo composed of members, Rahul Singh and Abdul Saif, fusing flavors of hip-hop with Punjabi music, a type of electronic music evolved from the Punjabi area. Last on the list was Dhoom Nak Nak, a traditional dance, or bhangra. It was performed by students in traditional festival garb. Audience members were asked to shout “Dhoom!” on one side and “Nak Nak!” on the other. This provided a beat through the voice encouraging the dancers to begin their steps. Later on, a man with a bhangra drum came onto stage and pounded away with the beat. As the show came to an end, the rest of the members involved with Diwali Dhoom came onto stage, which conjured a sense of accomplishment and joy as a whole.
Audience members were then asked to head to the cafeteria for dinner. The dinner consisted of samosas, a pastry filled with potato and vegetables, multiple varieties of curries, salted crispy chips, naan (toasted pita-like bread,) cucumber and yogurt side dishes, and a sweet dumpling-like dessert. After resting with conversation, students went into the hall to dance the night away to hip-hop and Indian-pop music.