Spring Break
Friends of India brings 40th annual Diwali Festival to UA
Saba Naseem
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: News
Friends of India, the Indian student association at the UA, will host the 40th annual Diwali Banquet 6 p.m. Sunday in the Arkansas Union Ballroom.
The Diwali festival, popularly known as "The Festival of Lights," celebrates the victory of good over evil and is significant for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. Diwali celebrations are spread over five days, with the actual holiday taking place on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartika. This festival marks the end of the harvest season, and many Indians worship the Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth, prosperity and blessings for a good year ahead.
"In India, in every house we do Lakshmi puja during the evening, light diyas [lamps] and do fireworks the entire night," said Nechal Singh, president of Friends of India. "Over here, it is celebrated in more of a banquet fashion with dance performances and music."
Members of Friends of India have worked for the past three months to organize this event.
"A lot of effort has been put in by the committee members," Singh said. "This time all the members are performing, and I am very pleased with the rehearsals."
"We have rehearsals every Sunday," said Gavely Toor, a freshman biology major. "Everybody has tough schedules to juggle with, but we're all very committed to making these performances the best. I'm very excited since it's my first time dancing and we're expecting a large turnout."
Most performances are from UA students, but there is also local community participation from Indians living in Fayetteville, Springdale and Rogers.
The banquet is the main event sponsored by FOI, and about 650 guests are expected to attend.
There will be a variety of programs including a skit, dances that incorporate the different cultures of India, and a musical program.
The special guests for the night are Susan Gauch, head of computer science and computer engineering department, and Veronika Salazar, associate director of the Multicultural Center.
The Diwali festival, popularly known as "The Festival of Lights," celebrates the victory of good over evil and is significant for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. Diwali celebrations are spread over five days, with the actual holiday taking place on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartika. This festival marks the end of the harvest season, and many Indians worship the Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth, prosperity and blessings for a good year ahead.
"In India, in every house we do Lakshmi puja during the evening, light diyas [lamps] and do fireworks the entire night," said Nechal Singh, president of Friends of India. "Over here, it is celebrated in more of a banquet fashion with dance performances and music."
Members of Friends of India have worked for the past three months to organize this event.
"A lot of effort has been put in by the committee members," Singh said. "This time all the members are performing, and I am very pleased with the rehearsals."
"We have rehearsals every Sunday," said Gavely Toor, a freshman biology major. "Everybody has tough schedules to juggle with, but we're all very committed to making these performances the best. I'm very excited since it's my first time dancing and we're expecting a large turnout."
Most performances are from UA students, but there is also local community participation from Indians living in Fayetteville, Springdale and Rogers.
The banquet is the main event sponsored by FOI, and about 650 guests are expected to attend.
There will be a variety of programs including a skit, dances that incorporate the different cultures of India, and a musical program.
The special guests for the night are Susan Gauch, head of computer science and computer engineering department, and Veronika Salazar, associate director of the Multicultural Center.
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