By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — When Pittsburg State University student Nakul Padalkar was growing up in Pune, India, he and his family were among millions who eagerly looked forward to the annual Diwali, or Festival of Lights.
This year was no different for Padalkar, except for the place he celebrated it: at Parrot Bey in Pittsburg.
His fellow Indian students agree that Diwali, a symbolic triumph of light and knowledge over ignorance and darkness, is among the most important and widely celebrated holidays throughout the many cultures of South Asia.
“It is a festival that to us is the same as Christmas to you,” Padalkar said. “It is very joyful, very happy. We look forward to it for a long time leading up to it.”
A colorful extravaganza of lights, food, music and dancing, Diwali is celebrated in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. While the story behind the holiday varies from region to region, the essence is the same: to rejoice in the inner light or the underlying reality of all things.
Sunday’s version of Diwali was put together by PSU’s International Student Association, which totals about 60 members who worked for days to prepare for it.
According to the association, Diwali has grown each year and has become one of the largest international events presented through PSU.
About 300 guests were in attendance — each greeted by candlelight by association members Jay Shah and Deepika Jhamb, who applied a dot of tilak to the guests’ foreheads. The red dye mixed from a powder is offered at such festivals as a sign of welcome.
The festival featured traditional and Bollywood dancing by Indian students, fashion shows demonstrating Indian attire from different parts of the country, a multimedia show, awards for this year’s winning Indian student cricket team, and a fireworks display.
A catered Indian meal, by Indian Palace of Lawrence, gave guests a taste of the spices that make the country unique.
“We have basmati rice, chicken tikka masala, vegetable korma, dal makhani,” Shah said. “They are dishes that are representative of traditional Indian favorites.”
Shruthi Panchal, an officer with the International Student Association, said that while India is the second most populated country in the world and has many languages and dialects, “Our traditions and customs make us one.”
During a multimedia presentation, she shared some of the defining characteristics of India, including its gods and deities, its languages, its spices and it national symbols — all in sharp contrast to those in Southeast Kansas.
But non-Indians who attended didn’t mind that contrast. Several said that’s part of the reason they showed up.
“It’s exciting,” said Camille Olcese, whose husband, Chuck, is director of the International Affairs Office at PSU and is preparing to leave on a trip to India.
“I thoroughly enjoy the food, the dancing, the music — it’s so very colorful,” she said. “I especially love the clothes. In fact, I might e-mail Chuck and tell him to get me a sari while he’s over there.”
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