Celebrating Diwali – A Night of Lights, Music and Dancing

    Diwali originated in India, but now it has spread all over the globe – even to Orinda.
    In the last decade, many Indian Americans have moved to Orinda. The easy access to San Francisco, good schools, residential environment and low crime rates are major attractions for young professionals to raise their families here.
    Along with their knowledge and skills, these professionals are broadening the cultural landscape of Orinda by bringing new traditions and celebrations like Diwali.
    Diwali, a festival of lights, is celebrated by over a billion people every year. Generally, it is considered to be a triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance.
    The Diwali date changes every year with the Hindu calendar, usually falling between mid-October to mid-November. This year Diwali is celebrated on Nov. 12, the day of the new moon – a dark and moonless night and the perfect setting for the colorful lights of the holiday.
    Technically, Diwali is a religious festival, however, it has evolved to become a cultural event in North America – a fun evening where adults and kids alike look forward to having a good time.
    In 2009, President Obama celebrated Diwali by lighting the first-ever diya (an oil lamp lit during the festival of Diwali) in the Oval Office. The diya lamps – traditionally made with clay – have a cotton wick dipped in oil. Today, most families use flameless candles.
    “Diwali is like Christmas, Thanksgiving and the 4th of July rolled into one,” said Rodney Lal, the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Orinda. “There is always food, lights, firecrackers and lots of sharing.” Born in Fiji of Indian heritage, Lal and his wife Ursula always have a diya outside their home on Diwali.
    In 2016, the United States Post Office issued a Diwali Forever stamp, which is still available. The stamp design features a beautiful diya on a sparkling gold background.
    Orinda had its first public Diwali festival in 2022, when some Orinda residents decided to take it out of their homes and into the Orinda Community Center. Opened up to the Orinda community, about a hundred people sang, danced and enjoyed the food.
    “Growing up in Chicago, this was one holiday that we went all out for,” said Neela Paykel, one of last year’s organizers. “We hung our Christmas lights from Diwali until New Year’s – much to our neighbors’ amusement.”
    “I am a first-generation immigrant,” said Sapna Tandon, another organizer from last year, “I want to give my daughter the same cultural experience I had while growing up in India. As our extended families are not here, the community is our family.”
    This year, Tandon set up a beautiful Diwali information booth at the Orinda Library, which runs through December.
    For Diwali, houses are cleaned, new clothes are bought and greeting cards are sent. Many homes create an elaborate Rangoli – a beautiful design on the floor, often made with rice, beans, flowers and colored powder. Family and friends eat, drink and celebrate by exchanging fruits and sweets.
    “When my boys got a little older, I wanted to introduce them to a proper Diwali festival,” said Deepa Krishnan.
    That’s when she and a few others started a Diwali celebration in Orinda’s Wilder community. In its third year, it has grown to over 30 families participating.
    Krishnan bought new Indian outfits for her boys and they are excited about participating in the festival. She said she would be wearing “A new saree, of course!”
    Diwali is all about good times with friends and family. It is also a time of giving, and those who can share what they can with those who are not so fortunate.