Students celebrate Diwali with light and traditions
PHOTO: Senior Shaan Sylvain’s grandmother blesses food before Diwali festivities. (Courtesy: Shaan Sylvain)
By Ayisi Ni and Sophia Young,
BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the largest festivals celebrated in Indian culture. The word ‘Diwali’ comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘arrow of light’.
“It’s a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil,” sophomore Vamsi Chilamkur said.
Consisting of five days, communities of Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism all over the world gather together to bring prosperity and goodness to family and friends during this time.
“The main day was Nov. 4. The other days kind of lead up to it and lead down,” Vamsi said.
His family celebrated by decorating their house. “My family puts out these things called ‘diyas’, they’re basically like oil candles or oil lamps, out in front of our house,” Vamsi said.
“Inside, we put flowers and also rangolis,” Vamsi’s mother Madhavi Chilamkur said.
Rangolis are traditional art designs drawn on the floor inside and outside of the house, as well as on the clay holders of diyas.
The Chilamkur family also celebrated by praying and attending the Indian Association of Davis’ annual Diwali gathering that was held outside of the Richard Brunelle Performance Hall on Nov. 7.
“The kids perform dances, music, skits, and theater . . . You have that community feeling, seeing everyone in a big gathering all celebrating together,” Madhavi said.
The Chilamkur family wasn’t able to attend the large gathering on the main day of Diwali due to the need for their children to attend school.
“We [did] a simple prayer in the morning before they [went] to school. When they [came] back in the afternoon, we celebrated with a special dinner, with sweets.” Madhavi said.
