Diwali Dynamite - a celebration of culture and cadence

York students had an amazing time celebrating Diwali in Founders Assembly Hall on November 20, thanks to Indian Cultural Association.
Every year, ICA holds an event called Diwali Dynamite to celebrate Diwali, and lots of students look forward to it as the tickets are always sold out very quickly.
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is an ancient Hindu festival that signifies the beginning of a new financial year and also the triumph of light over darkness, explains Kanchi Uttamchandani, first-year student and also a new executive member of ICA, academic associate.
Traditionally, people celebrate Diwali with fireworks, millions of colorful lights, and candles. Traditional Indian cuisine is prepared and relatives and friends exchange presents and greetings.
As I walked in to Founders Assembly Hall, I was very impressed by the colourful lamps and candles that decorated the hall.
This year, the executive team added a new segment to the event – a talent show for the members. There were five performances in total, including a few traditional dances and an acoustic band performance.
One of the climaxes was the executive team’s first ever performance, which gained a lot of screaming and applause. However, during the planning process, the executive team had already been so occupied by organizing the event that preparing for a dance only made their burden heavier.
“We had to juggle between selling tickets, organizing for food, buying decorations, and coordinating when to practice,” says Taskeen Husnoo, director of academics in ICA. But she says that they were very proud that they made it happen.
Following the talent show, students prayed in turn to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, in order to secure her blessings for the new year.
There are solid reasons for the popularity of Diwali Dynamite, as I could see that every student was having a great time.
“The Diwali party was spectacular,” says Gauri Wahi, a third-year computer science student. “It gave everyone a wonderful cultural experience and was lively and full of excitement.”

“At one point, everyone in the room was dancing, which made the room feel so lively,” says Ansoh Salvi, first-year accounting student.

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The executive team certainly put in a lot of effort to make sure the students had a great time. According to Husnoo, they had long meetings where they discussed, fought, disagreed, and agreed on ideas before the event.
As of this school year, ICA has been around for 15 years. The club aims to introduce Indian cultures to the York community and provide a “home away from home,” serving as the club’s tagline. From what I heard from the members of the club, ICA has been quite successful in doing that.
“Especially for first years, this club helps you to overcome this feeling of homesickness,” says Barsha Tanakadoo, a first-year management student.
“This association is filled with the best people who take time out of their schedules to make it the best possible experience ever,” says Salvi.
“ICA has done an excellent job in terms of providing a home away from home for several Indians at York,” says Uttamchandani.
“We also want people to know that the Indian Culture is not just about Bollywood,” says Husnoo. “It’s not just about swaying on brown music. It is also about sharing, caring, being united, embracing the less fortunate, helping.”
ICA’s newly appointed president, Anuj Amin, a fourth-year human resources student, says that they are “planning to spread culture awareness and being more politically active.”
Amin also discloses that in the winter term, ICA will hold a charity event, which is still in the planning process.
Amin says that as a new president, his long-term goal would be to bring sustainability to the club.
I am very glad to see York students who are willing to be so committed and willing to spend time to revive their own culture in a foreign land and create a home away from home for their own people.