Diwali celebration continues Friday

For some cultures, the Festival of Lights has not yet faded.\nThe Indian Student Association will host its annual Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebration Friday evening. Beginning at 7 p.m. at Bloomington South High School, the event will feature a variety of Indian culture, music and dance.\nAlthough the Asian Culture Center celebrated Diwali last week, the Indian Student Association’s celebration is quite different, said Indian Student Association Public Relations Chair Anand Dave.\nFriday’s show will be more about music and culture, he said.\n“From the more classical Bharatanatyam to a modern fusion touch, the whole spectrum is covered along with the instrumental stylings of the tabla (Indian percussion instrument),” he said. “IU’s competitive Bhangra and Raas-Garba teams will take the stage, closing out a night sure to please those both familiar with and new to the celebration.” \nA dinner will be served following the performances, Dave said.\nHindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists all celebrate Diwali in India, he said. Also known as Deepavali, the festival extends throughout India and Nepal and is characterized by rows of lights.\nWhile there are numerous versions of the Diwali story, Dave said the most common story is that the holiday celebrates the homecoming of the god Rama, who was exiled by his father for 14 years. The tale says that he and his wife Sita were welcomed back into their home city of Ayodhya by rows of lamps, he said.\nRaised Hindu, Dave said that for him Diwali has always consisted of going to mandirs (temples) and participating in their respective celebrations with his family. \n“When I was younger I felt as though I merely followed my parents and went through the motions, (but) Diwali today means much more,” he said.\nDiwali is often recognized as the Hindu new year, so for Dave, the meaning of Diwali has become a time of reflection.\n “With or without religious connotations, Diwali remains a time of celebration, something anyone can appreciate regardless of their religious convictions, or lack thereof,” he said.