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Monday, November 14, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Diwali celebration begins Indian new year
By M. Meredith Relph Kansan staff writer
Regardless of religious traditions, cultures around the world make note of the passing of each year and celebrate the beginning of a new one.
Last week marked the days of celebration that accompany Diwali, the ringing in of the new year in India. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in India, involving food, dance, parties and an exchange of gifts.
The KU India Club marked the occasion Saturday night with a Diwali Night party at Cordley Elementary School, 1837 Vermont St.
Rominder Singh, president of the club and Delhi, India, graduate student, said although the actual date for Divali this year was Wednesday, the club celebrated Saturday to draw a bigger crowd. About 200 people attended.
Diwali not only has religious significance but also involves fiscal and social aspects that are observed by every culture in India.
Businessmen close out their account books to end the fiscal year, and houses are cleaned and decorated with oil lamps and candles.
"It is a very religious feeling, but everyone also celebrates with gifts and food. It's like Christmas and the Fourth of July put together," Singh said.
Kshama Gargesh, Mysore, India, graduate student, sang the traditional invocation song, which is a prayer in Sanskrit to Lord Ganesha. An elephant-headed deity, Ganesha is the god of knowledge and a harbinger of good omen. The invocation is used for many celebrations in India to ensure a successful event.
"It is very social because we are all so far away from home," Gargesh said.
Singh said the date for celebrating Diwali was based on the moon's phases and fell on Amavasya, which is a Sanskrit word meaning day of no moon. The celebration is three days long, with the final day reserved for grand scale parties that include fireworks displays.
occasion, and women wear bright silk saris and ornate jewelry to the celebrations.
Gifts also are exchanged, with new clothing being a traditional present. Diwali is a formal
Gambling is often a major part of Diwali parties because the holiday is a time of worship of Laxhmi, the goddess of wealth.
"People always hope she will make them lucky," Singh said.
The Diwali celebration also includes dancing, and the club brought in professional Indian dancers, Rita Mustaphi and Ranee Ramaswamy, for Saturday's party.
Mustapha, from Calcutta, India, performed three styles of Indian dance — Kathak, Manipuri and Tagore — that represent cultures from different parts of India.
Ramaswamy, from Madras, India, performed Bharata Natyam, possibly the oldest classical Indian dance form, originating in Southern India during the 5th century.
Singh said the dances were not specifically for Diwali, but were folk dances that used body movement and music to tell stories.
"This celebration is a good chance for people from all parts of India to be together and talk and get to know each other." Gargesh said.
Music series to present quartets
By a Kansan reporter
The KU Chamber Music Series will present the Cleveland Quartet and the Cavani String Quartet at 7:30 p.m. today in Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
The Cleveland Quartet will open the program with Mozart's Quartet No. 19 in C, K. 469 and will join the Cavani Quartet to perform Octet in E flat, op. 20, by Felix Mendelsohn.
All seats are reserved and tickets are on sale at the Murphy Hall box office. Tickets are $12 and $10 for the public; $6 and $5 for KU students and students in grades kindergarten through 12; and $11 and $9 for senior citizens and other students.
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