(Caroline M./Staff)

by Ellie T.

On Monday, November 13, Academy ‘s DESI students treated the upper school to its annual Diwali celebration during assembly. Choreographed by Arya C., the performance featured members from the affinity group dancing to Chogada by Asees Kaur and Darshan Raval, a popular 2018 Bollywood song.

Diwali is a holiday centered around the triumph of good over evil. The story of Diwali follows the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to their kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana. To celebrate their victory, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains alike light candles, called diyas, to invite good fortune into their homes. 

Popular ways of celebrating Diwali include lighting fireworks, spending time with family and friends, praying, and decorating their house with Rangoli, an art form that uses colored powder, flower petals, and colored rocks in circular patterns. 

This year’s DESI club celebration comes after many lunch tables in the dining hall were decorated with bandanas and diyas to celebrate the holiday, as well as weeks of practice from DESI’s members to choreograph the celebration.