As five young women dressed in colorful saris concluded their celebratory dance, applause and cheers echoed around the Renaissance Court of the Worcester Art Museum Sunday morning.

There were plenty of things to clap and cheer about.

The Worcester Art Museum and the India Society of Worcester were combining for a Diwali Fall Community Day, something that has become tradition for several years in a row. 

Last year, the event was held virtually via Zoom because of the pandemic. The return of Diwali to WAM as a live in-person, free admission community day was greeted by a packed audience in the Renaissance Court during a late morning session of music and dancing, one of a number of featured activities that ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Overwhelmed. This time the turn out is fabulous," said Barin Bando  of the Worcester Art Museum and past president of the India Society of Worcester. "We already have 600 people now and we are open until 4 so we will get more."

Diwali itself is known as "The Festival of Lights" and is one of the biggest national holidays in India. It gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that people traditionally light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika, between mid-October and mid-November.

"Diwali is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness," said Arathi Cowlagi, chair of the Diwali Community Fall Day and  cultural committee member at the India Society of Worcester.

"As we all emerge from a particularly dark year, we want to share this festive spirit with our community,” she said. 

Happenings on Sunday also included lamp lighting, a sari fashion show, art activities, story readings by authors Geeta Pherwani and Ushma Multani, and a sweets making demonstration. There was also traditional Indian cuisine for sale.

In The Renaissance Court there was a sort of blending of ancient cultural histories as Diwali, which goes back centuries, was celebrated in a setting that includes sculptures such as Funerary Monument of a Greek Warrior from 420 to 400 BCE Attica. 

The music and dances being performed for Diwali ranged from classical to folk to Bollywood, Cowlagi said. 

"When we are happy we show our happiness with music and dance," said Amita Rao, chair of the cultural committee of the India Society of Worcester.

"And lots of good food," added Rashki Khanna, who introduced some of the performances. "And dressing up."

However, Rao noted that music, dance, dress, food and happiness are not exclusive to Diwali. 

"This is what we would do for all our festivals," said Rao.

Similarly, the sari is "something so integral  in our culture. It's a must for anything," Cowlagi said of the women's garment. The bright colors of many of the saris symbolize happiness, she said.

Traditions such as these are being  nurtured here by the India Society of Worcester which has a membership of about two thousand families in the Worcester area, Rao said.      

 "The India Society of Worcester is our extended family," she said.

For first generation children, "We do see that they are interested in what the events are about," she said. First generation adults often volunteer for ISW events, Rao noted.

"So we are very fortunate to have our kids learning from this," Rao said.

"And having that relationship with the community," said Cowlagi.

|