Night full of light - Christ’s Hospital schools South Asian society hosts Diwali event
This article was written by one of our Young Reporters, a scheme that gives 14 to 18-year-old school students a chance to write for a real newspaper. Find out more at the Young Reporter website.
On the 11th of October, Christ’s Hospital schools’ South Asian society, run by students Alizeh and Kiyan , held a fantastic event open for all students and staff to celebrate and appreciate the culture of Diwali.
Diwali (also known as ‘the festival of lights’) is celebrated globally by Hindus, Sikhs and some Buddhists. It is typically held around the October to November period . This year, it was practiced on the 20th of October . The festival commemorates the return of prince Rama, his wife Sita and Brother Lakshman , (important figures in the Hindu faith) after defeating the evil king , Ravana . Diwali triumphs and symbolises the victory of light over darkness. It involves sharing feasts , gifting each other , a display of fireworks , decorating homes with patterns (known as ‘Rangoli’) and lighting lamps.
The night of the event was filled with vibrant colours, energetic music and joyous dancing. President of the south Asian society, Alizeh, describes it as ‘ bright and colourful, not just visually but in the atmosphere too’
The night began with a series of dances , performed by Kalpesh of Kz dance entertainment , the guests of the night . This was done to a background of upbeat Bollywood music .
Kalpesh Encouraged the crowd to join in with him , making the dynamic of the crowd lively and filled with a burst of energy
Attendee of the event , Martha ( year 13 ) adds that it was ‘ mystical and magical’
when asked why she enjoyed the event, she replied ‘it highlighted the beauty of the culture ! As a south Asian myself I’m glad my friends got to experience a snippet of it’
Leaders (and organisers of the event), Kiyan and Alizeh, talked the audience through the story of Diwali and expressed why it is such a significant festival, highlighting a moment of serenity.
The year sevens performed various dances alongside Kalpesh on stage during the first half of the event. These performances lightened up the mood and brought energy into the crowd .
While the year sevens scurried off back to their boarding houses in time for their bedtime, all the year 13 attendees were invited on to the stage to dance alongside the rest of the members of the South Asian society and Kalpesh.
Martha added that her favourite part of the event was the dancing“it was funny to see the teachers dancing on stage, it really made my evening” she said
In agreement Alizeh added that her highlights ‘were either in the junior show when the audience was dancing or at the end when all the Grecians (year 13s) were on stage’
The Diwali event was huge success , bringing light to a small community in Christs hospital allowing them to , in Alizeh’s words ‘be able to share south Asian culture to everyone in CH … it’s really nice to feel seen.’
