Students will gather for Festival of Lights

Today students will gather and light oil lamps for a Diwali celebration, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights.

Diwali is one of the most popular Indian festivals and symbolizes the victory of good over evil, said Judy Kirk, assistant director of the Mathers Museum.

The festivities, hosted by the IU Asian Cultural Center, the Indiana Student Association and the Mathers Museum, will run from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Mathers Museum, 416 N. Indiana Ave., and from there, the celebration will continue at the ACC and will end at 8 p.m. The Diwali celebration is free and open to the public.

Melanie Castillo-Cullather, director of the ACC, said part of the celebration is lighting oil lamps, which symbolizes the renewal of life.

She said it is common for participants in the celebration to wear new clothes during the festivities. The festival is also celebrated with eating sweets and lighting fireworks.

At the ACC, students from the ISA will help out with the celebration, Castillo-Cullather said.

Amit Pithadia, the cultural chair of the ISA, said the group will be helping out with the activities and will have a few members talking about their Diwali experiences. Pithadia said there will be a short demonstration by HoosieRaas, a competitive dance team from IU.

Castillo-Cullather said besides learning Dandiya dance steps, there will also be an
opportunity for attendees to learn how to make Rangoli, a form of sand painting and one of the most popular art forms in India.

“There will also be a light reception to give students an opportunity to enjoy the festival and learn through interaction with other students,” she said.

Kirk said besides offering opportunities to do crafts and hands-on activities, the event is a great learning experience.

“There will be opportunities for visitors unfamiliar with Diwali to learn more about the celebration,” she said.

Currently, there are no exhibits at the museum focused specifically on Diwali, Kirk said. However, she said the museum’s exhibits, which explore cultures around the world, will be open to the public during the event.

Pithadia, who celebrates the holiday, said his favorite part of Diwali is being with his family.

He said Diwali for Hindus is similar to Christmas for Christians and Eid al-Fitr for Muslims. He said he loves going home to a house full of people and food.

“For my family, Diwali is one of the most important holidays because my house is where most of the celebrations take place,” Pithadia said. “It’s a time to be merry.”