South Asian Americans across New York state and the country are celebrating Diwali, the “Festival of Lights.”
Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals across South Asia. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains all come together on this day.
In mythology, Diwali highlights the return of the Hindu god Rama to his home Ayodhya after defeating a demon king Ravana, where rows of diyas, or clay lamps, were lit across the town to welcome him back. Many say that’s why South Asians decorate their houses with diyas on Diwali.
“But our hope through all this festival, celebrating them, through teaching them dance, through teaching the music and our culture, it’s the hope that they can pass it on to their kids in future and still keep this legacy alive of our culture and our traditions,” said Sujatha Sharath, the director of the Narthanalaya School of Arts.
Sharath feels very lucky to be passing down her South Asian culture to her students through dance. These students here are preparing a dance for Diwali.,
“Diwali is a celebration of light above darkness, good, above evil, and the ability of humans to overcome anything that they put their mind to,” dance student Shruti Kamat shared.
As first-generation Americans, Diwali can act as a great way for many of these girls to learn about their cultural roots. And what better way than through dance?
“Dance for me has been a way to really involve myself and learn more about who I am and my identity and my culture just outside of being American,” dance student Shreeya Gillela said. “It’s just about my heritage and where my parents also came from.”
And these celebrations are not just about dancing, it’s about much more than that. South Asians are also participating in rituals and prayers for Diwali so that their young ones can learn and enjoy the traditions that were handed down to them through generations.