News-Letter

The Hindu Student Council hosted its annual Diwali Festival to a record turnout on Saturday, November 3 in the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center.

Hopkins Hindus gathered Saturday night for the annual Diwali Festival. The "Festival of Lights" involves lights or lamps that signify the raising of darkness and the triumph of good over evil.

Organized and put on by the Hindu Student Council, Diwali brought together people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds to enjoy a night of spirited singing, dramatic dances and great food.

"Diwali is such a special holiday because it gives us the chance to gather as families or communities and celebrate," said Shyam Khatau, president of the Hindu Student Council.

The gymnasium of the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center was packed with both Hindus and casual observers alike. Children dressed in beautiful, dazzlingly colorful dresses and imitated what they saw on stage.

The Diwali Festival started at 7 p.m. with free food for all in attendance. At 8 p.m., the dances started. Shakti, a dance group, performed the Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India.

"It was a great experience. It was so wonderful to celebrate a part of my culture at Hopkins," said junior Sphoorti Umarjee, who danced with Shakti. "There was such a large turn out because of parents weekend so it was great to perform for a full audience."

Hareepa performed the Bhangra, a fusion of music, singing and the beat of the dhol drum, a single stringed instrument called the iktar, the tumbi and a tong-like instrument called chimta.

Raas and Garba Explosion performed the Raas, a dance form which is actually the staging of a mock fight. Nicknamed "The Sword Dance," it shows the conflict between the Goddess and Mahishasura the mighty demon-king. The sticks of the dance represent the sword of Durga.

The fantastically-dressed dancers whirled their arms and feet in a unified, rhythmic manner to the tune of the music, which prominently featured drum beats. The performance by Kranti, an Indian a capella group, put an intimate twist on Hindu traditions.

The audience was receptive to all the dances and cheered loudly during the dramatic ending of the Raas, in which the performers fell straight forward onto their chests.

Continued...

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