The event was sponsored by the IU Student Association, Residence Halls Association and the Hutton Honors College Funding Board.
Known as the Festival of Lights and the Indian New Year , Diwali is widely regarded as the most sacred holiday in Hinduism. It symbolizes the victory of good against evil, according to Hindu scripture.
For $10 admission, the ISA invited all students and faculty around campus to celebrate. Little did they know how large the crowd was going to be, said ISA International Liaison Nilesh Agrawal.
“We usually hold our celebration either in the Willkie Auditorium or Union Street,” Agrawal said. “But this got to the point where hundreds of people wanted to come, so we were able to book it in Alumni Hall.”
The celebration began with a meet and greet with spectators and the ISA, where hors d’oeuvres, such as samosas, Indian fried pastries with spiced potatoes, were offered.
This was followed by the cultural performances, such as Indian dance and singing. An Indian-style buffet catered by the IMU featuring chicken tikka masala was served for dinner, and the evening finished with an open dance floor for ?everyone.
“Dancing is big for Diwali,” ISA Secretary Sai Nelanuthala said. “It usually starts with the more traditional dance performances and ends with the open floor for everyone to enjoy.”
Performances included a performance titled "Bollywood Medley" and cultural dance groups HoosierRaas and Hoosier Ranglia.
“The dance performances are my favorite,” IU student Dasha Kopulsky said. “They’re really unique, and it’s cool to see that of a different culture.”
Kopulsky is a returning spectator to the Diwali ?celebration.
“My roommates are on the ISA board,” she said. “I came to this event last year, and it was a lot of fun. I’m excited for it again.”
The profits of the Diwali celebration went to the Sankara Eye Foundation , a program that aims to fight curable blindness with free eye care to poor communities in rural parts of India.
The ISA is aiming to raise $2,500 for the Sankara Eye Foundation by the end of this year.
Although the performances are a big part of the Diwali festival, the most important part of the celebration is to spend time and feast with family and loved ones.
“This is our biggest celebration,” Agrawal said. “We invite everyone, Indian or not, to celebrate with us. It’s a time to bring people ?together.”
An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified "Bollywood Medley" as a performance group. The IDS regrets this error.
