Free celebrations of Diwali are set for Saturday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 14, on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus.
Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights, held in the period of October to November. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.
The UAB Association of Indian Students, a graduate student group, is organizing the first Diwali event, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7, in the Bell Building Theater, 1220 University Blvd. This year, the group’s Diwali celebration at UAB will be even bigger and better, with cultural performances, quizzes, prizes and delicious Indian food.
New this year is a community service project to benefit the poor and homeless. Attendees are asked to donate used but clean clothes, blankets and toys for children. The UAB Association of Indian Students plans to give these away in and around Birmingham during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Indian Cultural Association at UAB, an undergraduate student group, will host an annual Diwali celebration with community group and student dance, music and singing performances at UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South.
The organization helps promote student awareness about Indian culture and also encourages community service and friendship between people of all ethnic backgrounds.
The ICA Diwali festival program will include historical and educational background about the holiday. The festival attracts more than 1,000 people. The two-hour program will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. After the show, a meal of Indian food will be served next door at the Spencer Honors House. Details are available on the group’s Facebook page. For more information, email ICA President Anoop Kotian at anoopuab@uab.edu.