Festival of Lights

Whitney Curtis

Students dance during the annual Diwali, or Festival of Lights, program Nov. 12 at Edision Theatre. Diwali is a major Hindu holiday, celebrated not only by Hindus, but by Jains and Sikhs all across India. It is a celebration in which small clay lamps, or diyas, are lit by people to represent the inner light that each individual possesses in order to outshine the darkness they may experience. At WUSTL, Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated and largest student-run productions on campus. A WUSTL tradition for 21 years, Diwali is organized by Ashoka, the South Asian Student Association. While Diwali itself is a Hindu holiday, at WUSTL it is celebrated as a fusion of South Asian cultures.