The North Bay Indo-American Association’s annual Diwali celebration
A representation of the various states of India (Sophia Nagra/The Puma Prensa)
Written By: Sophia Nagra, staff writer
As the curtains opened, blinding lights flashed in front of me, blacking out my vision and forcing my senses to focus on the crowd's roar. There was no feeling more exhilarating than when the spotlight shone to rescue me from the looming darkness. This mere click of a switch served as Diwali’s celestial reminder that virtue and light will always trump iniquity and darkness.
Rooted in a multitude of religious texts, Diwali: the Festival of Lights is a tradition with numerous stories that cross cultures both geographically and sentimentally. Recounting the esteemed Hindu deities, Rama, Sita, and Laksmana--the incarnation of Lord Shesha-- on their return from an unjust fourteen year exile, this story is famously essential to the Hindu narrative.
The story of Diwali accounts for Rama, the God of chivalry and virtue exiled by his father, who was persuaded by Rama’s evil stepmother to crown her biological son king opposed to Rama. She insisted that-- if her own son, Bharata, was not crowned king with his stepbrother banished for fourteen years-- great misfortune would fall upon her. So, Rama leaves with some companions-- his wife, Sita, the Goddess of prosperity and beauty, and his brother Lakshmana: the embodiment of familial devotion and love.
While the adversities that Rama and his posse faced were long-lasting and unfair-- such as Sita being abducted by Ravana, lord of Lanka one year before their freedom-- he remained equanimous and humble to the decree. Rama not only fought for his wife, but for righteousness. Finally, the day that Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were permitted to return had come, and all rejoiced. That day became known as Diwali.
If you had asked me as a child, consumed by the crowd and distracted from Diwali’s true significance, I would say that performing in front of the North Bay Indo-American Association would be terrifying. However, as an immigrant underrepresented in a nation that is 85.7% domestic, witnessing an act of passion from the youth reminds many of the nostalgic sense of home.
From nine to ninety, children through seniors dedicate months of preparation to uphold the exceptional standard that generations before us have built. Filled with a variety of styles, each originating from a different part and time in India, each time the curtain opens spectators are transported to different cadences and stories, each delivering a unique perspective.
The NBIAA Youth Committee’s Bollywood performance (Ranjana Shardha/The Puma Prensa)
Many have heard of Bollywood, the Indian Hollywood, but what most fail to recall is its famous dramaticism, analogous series, and use of instantaneous choreographed dance to emphasize emotion. Making one third of the total performances on November 9, 2024, Bollywood carries some of the most familiar melodies known in media.
A small but mighty force in the faction--the Santa Rosa Children’s Kathak Class is now a host to a handful of the talented rising female generation named “The Spirit of Ahmad”. Ahmad, meaning the highly praised, or an entrance in Kathak, traditionally follows Pranam, the greeting. Said to evoke a sense of grandeur representing the assertion that the one will command the space they enter, the Amad movement is made up of Natwari bols-- “a standardized mnemonic syllable used in North Indian classical music to define the tala, or rhythmic pattern.” Showcasing the more mellow and organized form of expression, these steps are expertly crafted by instructor Megan Black.
In stark contrast to Kathak, the most popular dance of the night is Bhangra, a Punjabi harvest dance infused with a sense of excitement for the future. Moving with vivaciousness and passion, a group of local youth, The Secondary Bhangra Team, practice for months to perfect their performance.
The Secondary Bhangra Team, dressed in Western formal wear to contradict the professionalism and seriousness often associated with those of Indian heritage in an energetic dance that pleases the crowd. (Sumandeep Några, The Puma Prensa)
Building stronger bonds with every practice, the spirit of Diwali is ever present, even when the holiday is in the distant future. Conquering worry and fear with the strength these dancers find in performing together, they embody the tradition’s silver lining of evolution while remaining the same, shedding light on the power of unity within their roots.
In the same way Rama had Ramana and Sita, each member in the North Bay Indo-American Association has one another. Proving that love and light are timeless, Diwali is still bringing India’s diverse walks of life to meet under one celebration that results in lifelong friendships.