Under bright lights and in a swirl of vibrant attire, the 2024 Diwali dance program, held on Nov. 16, kicked off with a variety of performances, from dances to theatrical skits, providing a Diwali celebration for Indians across the Quad Cities.
Annually, the Friends of India Quad Cities (FIAQC) nonprofit puts together a Diwali program for members of the community to enjoy. The night consists of food, music and exciting performances, which typically feature dancing, singing and skits from various parts of India.
Diwali is the festival of lights, a five-day long celebration where communities join together by sharing meals, lighting firecrackers and praying for wealth and prosperity.
For many locals, the FIAQC program is an important connection back to Diwali in India. “I go to the Diwali program every year to watch performances with my friends. It’s enjoyable to spend a night indulging in my culture and heritage,” shared senior Prithikha Paranidharan.
The performances at the celebration draw inspiration from all different parts of India, allowing any and all members of the Indian community to come together and enjoy a night of Diwali celebrations.
For students like Nisha Tilala, performing in the program strengthens the Indian community within the Quad Cities. “I love dancing, so performing at the Diwali program is always super fun for me and allows me to remain connected with my culture,” stated Tilala.
The 2024 Diwali program is designed to welcome people from all walks of life to enjoy the celebrations, and while the program itself attracts a primarily Indian audience, its impact on the broader community is undeniable.
This year, the mayor of Moline, Sangeetha Rayapati, was honored as chief guest of the program. She shared her thoughts on the importance of the annual celebration: “The annual Diwali function is a tremendous way to celebrate cultural roots of the Indian-Americans who live in the Quad Cities. These celebrations tie us to our past as we chart our futures in the Quad Cities,” Rayapati shared. “They also can be learning events for those that don’t have ethnic ties to India,” she continued.
In addition, the yearly dance allows the Indian community of the Quad Cities to reunite with their heritage, despite being thousands of miles away. This year, the dance featured the Indian national anthem, sung after the American one, bringing the audience to a stand as the dance concluded.
The importance of the Diwali program plays a vital role in creating a vibrant and educated Quad Cities community and as Tilala puts it, “We are surrounded by American culture, religion and holidays, so it is really nice to mix in our own. Diwali time is very special, and it not only connects us with our culture, but also with the broader community.”
