Indians In Korea celebrated Diwali this year in Suwon, giving South Koreans a taste of Indian culture.

Hundreds of Indians, Koreans and people from other nations gathered at Balcanto Art Center at the University of Suwon on Oct. 27 to celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights.

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, Col. Ajay Chandpuria, who joined the people in celebrating the Festival of Lights, said Diwali was an important occasion for the Indian community and a great example of how Indians in Korea and even multicultural communities come together to share their cultures.

“The Indian Festival of Lights is the most widely celebrated festival of the people from the Indian sub-continent and across the whole world. Diwali means ‘rows of lights,’ it is the festival symbolizing victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance,” he said

“Though there are many mythological explanations to this wonderful festival, in the current world, what the festival of lights really stands for is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship, religious tolerance, spreading the word of peace and harmony and above all, celebration of the simple joys of life.”

Those at the festival were treated to music and dance and other live performances, alongside art and craft stalls, Indian food and interactive items with multicultural communities. Although the festival here might not have matched a traditional Indian Diwali, the dancing, singing, music and endless Indian treats gave this small expat community a taste of home.

In India, earthen lamps are placed on the balconies and doorsteps of homes and commercial establishments across the country. Fireworks sporadically pierce the night sky as reminders of light’s power.

There were no fireworks at the Balcanto Art Center, but music was one common tradition that was carried out. The cultural performances included fancy dress and a “Ganesh Vandana” dance performed by children, Bollywood-inspired dances, and semi-classical fusion dance, followed by Bollywood songs. The night continued on with Bharatnatyam, a classical Indian dance, and Bhangra, a Panjabi folk dance.

“Diwali is a marvelous expression of what we all strive to achieve as a community of varied backgrounds, faiths and interests and it is wonderful to see so many people from different cultures coming together,” said Niharika Singh, director of the Indian Cultural Center at the Embassy of India.

Most importantly of all, Diwali is incomplete without traditional Indian sweets made from milk and ghee (clarified butter), nuts and sugar syrup, provided by Chakraa Indian Restaurant.

Officials from the Indian Embassy, Korea Immigration Center, Suwon Migrant Community Service, the Indian Overseas Bank, the State Bank of India also participated in the Diwali celebrations.

By Rohidas Arote

Rohidas Arote is a professor at Seoul National University. He serves as vice president of Indians in Korea. He can be reached at latnedr@gmail.com. ― Ed.