Flash mobs belting out tunes of the latest Bollywood hits, Indian dances like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, men and women decked out in the finest Indian festive wear, people enjoying delicious Indian food, and chants of “Happy Diwali” echoing throughout the historic Cary Hall. These were just a few scenes on the night of October 19th as The Indian Americans of Lexington, or IAL, hosted their annual Diwali spectacular.
Diwali — the Festival of Lights — is celebrated widely across India and embraced by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and some Muslims, reflecting many of the diverse identities within the Lexington Indian community. One of the biggest Indian festivals, it celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and marks the new year in some Indian communities. Families celebrate Diwali by lighting candles and lamps in their homes, saying prayers, eating sweets and getting together with friends and family. This year, Diwali begins on Oct. 31 and is generally celebrated for several days.
The IAL celebration kicked off the Diwali season with cultural performances from eighteen groups, showcasing the traditions of various regions of India and captivating audiences with an array of colorful costumes and rhythms. The sense of community was palpable as people of all ages and backgrounds gathered to share stories, enjoy each other’s company, and showcase their heritage to the rest of the community. Emphasizing the importance of such events, Archana Singhal, head of IAL commented, “To celebrate the big religious or cultural events abroad basically gives our community a platform where they can remember where we came from, and show the community that we live in who we are.” Performers ranged in age from elementary school children performing an act called ‘The Essence of Diwali,’ to a high school Bollywood group, to women performing dances symbolizing empowerment and friendship. The performers had been practicing for months, and from the constant cheering and clapping, it was clear that they stole the hearts of the audience.
Among the enthusiastic attendees were several non-Indian town officials and representatives from other organizations, including Lexington Public Schools Superintendent Julie Hackett, members of the Select Board, members of the Chinese American Association of Lexington, and representatives from the Lexington Police Department. Many wore traditional Indian attire and joined in the dancing during flash mobs.
For members of Lexington’s Indian community, celebrations like these are about passing on their culture to the younger generation. Several adults who grew up in the US described how, as children, they did not feel comfortable embracing their Indian heritage. “Having grown up in the US since age 6, I had to be well versed in western knowledge pathways in order to physically and emotionally survive in American culture. That left little energy to understand at depth the invaluable knowledge encoded in my own culture’s traditions until I was much older,” said Ravneet Grewal, a performer and volunteer. “My daughter is not going to have to wait until she’s at university to feel comfortable exploring the Indian side of her identity and the wisdom that comes with it.”
Other events celebrating the Festival of Lights in our community include the Diwali breakfasts at Lexington Public Schools. At Lexington High School, parents hosted a breakfast for over 350 staff, featuring samosas, gulab jamun, and chai. “Staff members were genuinely touched, embracing the experience by engaging with the beautiful decorations, posing with symbolic elements like bindis, diyas, and dupattas, and learning about the festival’s significance,” said Dr. Parul Kumar, a teacher at LHS and founder of the South Asian Student Association. “Such events not only enrich our understanding of diverse traditions but also cultivate a sense of inclusivity and respect, reinforcing Lexington High School as a community that values and celebrates the unique backgrounds of all its members,” Kumar said.
On November 6, Lexington Center will come alive with lights, games, henna and Indian treats including mango lassis from Clay Oven and kulfi ice cream at Rancatore’s.
This is the first year that Diwali will be recognized as a school holiday in Lexington, after a School Committee vote in March that added Diwali, Lunar New Year and Eid to the public school calendar. “Having [the AAPI holidays] appear on our school calendars raises awareness that different ways of thinking and being exist here in our town and the world,” Grewal said. “The possible impact of that awareness in even a single person 20 years down the road can’t be quantified.”
“Having Diwali as a holiday this year is really important to me because I get to spend time with my family,” Naina, a young performer remarked.
I love Diwali – it’s like Chanukah – but with different food.