Diwali comes to JHU
By Ravi Gupta · The Johns Hopkins News-Letter · November 10, 2005
Students, faculty and spectators from across Baltimore gathered at the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, to participate in Diwali Dhamaka, an ancient Hindu celebration sponsored by the Hindu Student Council.
The event kicked off with a sampling of Indian food from Akbar Restaurant.
Afterwards, guests were invited to dance Garba and Raas, traditional dances from the Indian state of Gujarat performed with sticks.
President William Brody made an appearance at the event, trying his hand at Raas with a group of Hopkins students.
"It was nice to see [Brody] getting involved with the students and learning how to dance Raas. ... He was a quick learner," said Shivaani Prakash.
Following the Garba was a performance by a variety of musical groups and a medley. The medley featured Indian rhythms and beats with choreography arranged by Hopkins students.
Masti, an Indian/hip-hop fusion dance group, followed with a show of its Fall Dance.
"The performance was a great success and a lot of fun despite the trouble with the music in the beginning," said freshman Masti dancer Tanzeem Islam.
Other performances included the Hindi a cappella group, Kranti, and Hopkins Hareepa, which showcased bhangra, a lively folk dance from the Indian state of Punjab.
The entertainment culminated with a very energetic and colorful dance by Hopkins' Hindi dance troupe Raas and Garba Explosion (RAGE).
Freshmen who attended Diwali for the first time lauded all elements of the festival, from the traditional dancing to the food.
"I thought the dancing was amazing, and I was so happy to see such a diverse crowd. The decorations were beautiful and the event seemed very well organized," said freshman Tara Nayak.
After the performances, people gathered to dance with traditional and conventional music provided by a live band, which was also a crowd pleaser.
"Aside from a few technical difficulties, I definitely enjoyed the night and look forward to going again in the years to come," said freshman Paulo Farqui.
"The food was great, and the performances were very well put-together ...[it was] definitely a culturally enriching night," Farqui added.
An enchanting Hindu festival lasting five days, "Deepavali," also called Diwali, marks the victory of good over evil. The festival celebrates the return of Rama, believed to be a Hindu incarnation of God, from a battle in which he was victorious against evil.
Legend tells that people lit rows of oil lamps around his kingdom to welcome him, his brother Lakshmana and his queen Sit after 14 years of exile.
The festival has varied meaning for Hindus.
In some parts of India, for example, it marks the end of cropping season and the North Indian New Year called "Annakut." Many businesses owners in North India usually start their financial New Year and open new account books on this day.
Sikhs celebrate Diwali to commemorate the return of the sixth Guru Hargobind to the city of Amritsar in 1620. This followed after being imprisoned along with 52 Hindu kings by Emperor Jahangir.
Throughout India, people line their homes with oil lamps to welcome Laksmi, the goddess of wealth, in the hope that she will bring prosperity.
During the festival, people adorn new clothes, exchange gifts and sweets and celebrate with dance and fireworks. Students joining in Diwali Dhamaka at Hopkins brought the festivity to life.
Diwali is one of the largest and grandest celebrations in India and also at Hopkins. For many Hindus, it is symbolic of the end of ignorance with the light of knowledge.
Shyam Khatau, secretary of the Hindu Student Council, thought the event was a success.
"We thought it went extremely well," he said, "The turnout was great, the performances were spectacular, and many people stayed afterward to dance."