SASA, Diwali and Dance Entertain Parker Audience

The Upper School South Asian Student Alliance hosted a Diwali Morning Ex with dancers from Walter Payton Prep.

Student presenters provided an overview of the Hindu festival of lights known as Diwali—a five-day holiday celebrated by millions of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. They shared a range of common items associated with the holiday, including diyas (oil lamps), rangoli designs on the floors, music, fireworks, food, family and fun.

To demonstrate the wide range of cultures that celebrate Diwali, members of SASA with different cultural backgrounds described the unique nuances of the different ways people from Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Malaysia honor and acknowledge the Diwali holiday. 

Regardless of where one celebrates, music is nearly always present. Where there is music, motion can’t be far away, and student presenters welcomed the Walter Payton Masti Dance team to the stage to perform. After an energetic and rhythmic display, the dancers invited student volunteers to learn some steps and perform alongside the visiting troupe to the delight of all in the assembly.

Students asked questions of the presenters and performers at the end of the experience. They learned more specifics about their Upper School peers’ personal memories of past Diwali celebrations and favorite foods they enjoy during the holiday. Students asked the dancers about the origins of the dances they shared and the amount of preparation each dance involved.

Senior Student leader Jayden Patel said, “It was really great to have the opportunity to share about how Diwali is celebrated across South Asia. Representing different countries was very important to us when putting this MX together, and it couldn’t have been better!”

Parker thanks SASA for orchestrating such an informative and exciting experience.

Enjoy photos from the experience here.