Article Added On: October 21, 2006 - about 1 year ago
Title: Diwali: Lighting up joy and faith
Author: PRITHI YELAJA
Publication: Toronto Star
Publication Date: January 01, 2006 - over 2 years ago
Faith Groups: Hindu
Themes: Religion and society

Abstract: Hindu festival a sweet celebration that transcends religions and cultures to brighten dull days of fall

Don't forget to wish your desi friends a Happy Diwali today, and perhaps pick them up a box of mithai (sweets) in Little India.

 

For social fun and camaraderie, the Hindu holiday may well be on its way to becoming the South Asian equivalent of St. Patrick's Day (minus the booze-up aspect) — a celebration that can transcend culture and religion as it brings some sparkle to a dull time of the Canadian year.

 

"No, it doesn't offend me," Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, president of the Federation of Hindu Temples of Canada, says of the comparison. "Diwali is also a joyous occasion, a celebration of life, a time of socializing with family and friends, singing, dancing and gift giving."

 

Sharma, who fielded several media requests this week to explain the significance of Diwali, says the festival's growing popularity among non-South Asians speaks to Hinduism's accessibility. "It's a very inclusive religion. Everyone is welcome to participate and celebrate."

 

Ashok Shah will again throw a Diwali party for 150 friends and neighbours at his Thornhill home tonight, complete with fireworks. Like most Hindus here and around the world, he and his extended family perform the religious rituals that accompany Diwali, in particular performing a puja (religious ceremony) in their home temple.

 

"Faith is what binds our culture," said Shah.

 

But signs that Diwali is gaining mainstream momentum are everywhere, from the inclusion of the festival date on calendars to receptions at Queen's Park and on Parliament Hill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper even released videotaped Diwali greetings.

 

In the U.K., the Leicester City Council spent nearly £100,000 (about $212,000 Canadian) on new decorations — 6,000 bulbs were switched on to mark Diwali celebrations. Closer to home, the Gerrard-India Bazaar on Gerrard St. in Toronto's Little India, kicked off a three-day Diwali-Eid street party yesterday featuring free ladoos, mehndi and entertainment. (Eid ul Fitr, the Muslim festival ending 30 days of fasting, is next week.)

 

All the trees on a four-block stretch of Gerrard have been specially lit. Organizers expect as many as 15,000 people to attend, and one-third are likely to be non-South Asians.

 

"This is a time for buying new clothes and gold, so we will be very busy," said Subbu Chintaluri, the bazaar's general manager. "It has also become popular nowadays with the Caucasians. Many of them call me and say, `My friends are Hindu. What gift should I give them on Diwali?' I tell them sweets would be appropriate."

 

Big business has also hopped on the Diwali bandwagon, seizing an opportunity to boost the bottom line by catering to a fast-growing demographic. RBC is a sponsor of the Little India festival. Diwali is showcased in stores and Bell customers can even choose from 500 Bollywood ringtones.

 

Younger generations of Indo-Canadians are celebrating Diwali with events reflecting the evolution of South Asian culture here.

 

Tired of tagging along with her parents to banquet halls in Mississauga and Brampton for Diwali parties, Sonya Bhatia decided to throw one herself this year — at a funky restaurant in downtown Toronto.

 

"I belong to a generation that wants to celebrate Diwali by incorporating the influences I've grown up with here," said Bhatia, an event planner who expects 200 people at her party next week.

 

Besides taking part in Diwali rituals such as mehndi (decorating hands with henna) and lighting lamps, guests will enjoy Indo-Mediterranean cuisine with their cocktails and dance to Indian tunes mixed with hip hop, reggae and dance music.

 

Fusion was also the theme of a gigantic Disco Raas-Garba Night to celebrate Diwali last night.

 

Held at Hart House and organized by U of T's Hindu Students' Council, the event was expected to attract a mixed ethnic crowd of 700 people, many wearing saris, sherwanis and salwar kameez borrowed from their South Asian friends.

 

In their attempt to merge east and west, DJs were spinning disco, western pop and bhangra, said organizer Poojan Sharma.