Delicate fingers drenched in vibrant purples and pinks color in the intricate Rangoli art outline along the streets of India. The morning sun rises and chrysanthemums and marigolds adorn the area’s neighborhoods. Oil lit earthen lamps, or diyas, mark the corner of Indian homes eagerly awaiting nightfall, when the shimmering light will shine through the darkness. This symbol of victory of good over evil and light over darkness represents everything Diwali, the five-day Hindu-originating but not religious specific holiday held every autumn, stands for.
As the sky darkens, fireworks explode above the skylines and along the side streets of every Indian town. But the celebration doesn’t just reside in the South Asian country. Back in Southlake, Kush Rao, originally from Hyderabad, India, recalls how those bright light displays shaped his childhood.
“[I loved] the feeling of oneness with not only my family, but extended family, savoring the special delicacies like Gulab Jamun [a decadent Indian dessert] prepared only for Diwali,” Kush says, “[And] decorating our home with small diyas while enjoying the nighttime firework displays.”
But Kush does not just reminisce. He draws from that feeling of togetherness to share the excitement and purpose of the holiday with Southlake Diwali.
Shaping Southlake Diwali
On one crisp October evening in 2017, Shady Oaks homeowners decided to bring the neighborhood together with a collaborative Diwali. For many residents, celebrating Diwali was not new, but this time, they gathered together to organize something larger than any individual could do on one’s own.
By dividing up different tasks, the event’s first year open to the public was a success with more than 250 people in attendance.
“Everyone had a sense of ownership,” says Kush. “The celebration was a grand success and that euphoria of that success and satisfaction created a desire to spread the word about Diwali and share the happiness, which ultimately led us to the first annual Diwali Fest in 2018.”
When the group discussed the next year’s Diwali celebration, they knew inviting even more people to participate and giving the activities a larger stage would enhance the event’s message of togetherness.
Bringing Diwali to Southlake
With a heart to share this holiday with the community, Kush and his neighbors brought their vision of celebrating diversity from Shady Oaks to the larger community.
“We want our community to experience diversity, experience peace, experience sustainability, experience togetherness and at the same time, take a few moments from our busy lives and experience life together through this festival,” says Kush.
Their concept was well received by the mayor and several city councilmembers.
“I am so proud that our city plays host to Southlake Diwali,” says Mayor Laura Hill. “I believe it’s so important to celebrate all of our different cultures, and Diwali — A Festival of Lights — is the perfect opportunity to rejoice in our blessings with family and friends.”
As for Councilmember Dr. Shahid Shafi, he couldn’t have sung higher praises about Diwali Fest’s founder.
“Kush Rao took the lead in organizing this event last year and again this year with the help of a large number of volunteers. He is a true servant-leader who has served all of the communities in Southlake,” Shafi says. “We are blessed to have [Kush and his family] in Southlake.”
With this support, the expanded event set for Nov. 9, 2018, started to take shape. Kush’s simple vision of multicultural unity paired with rich, authentic Indian food, dynamic Indian performances and traditional music gave the committee chairs a lot to work with. And with nearly 200 volunteers helping bring the day together, it was easy to see early on that the group wasn’t just putting on a one-time festival.
With a rotating crowd of around 2,000, the day’s attendees brought excitement and engaging dancers performed routines from Kathak and Bharata Natyum to Manipuri to Bollywood, providing the whole area with entertainment.
“One of the highlight performances from last year was the Colors of Culture — where a team of 25 women dressed up and performed to various regional dances from all over India that culminated in a show-stopping performance,” Kush says with a smile recalling the energy the dance pumped through the crowd.
Not only professionals took the stage. Stephanie Hays, a neighbor and friend of Kush, came for the festival and also became a part of the show.
“I loved the idea from the beginning, getting to experience new things in life, in which I can learn about other people, their culture and celebrate differences,” Hays says. “It’s something that I always tell my kids, and having the ability to perform at Diwali Fest is a chance that I can show them how to become culturally enriched, even while staying in Southlake.”
What’s New About Diwali Fest 2019
Diwali Fest 2019 is bringing the fun back to Southlake with even more dazzling colors, brighter lights and more of a concert feel. With the help of local academies such as Natyom Dance Academy and Let’s Bollywood Dance Academy, festival-goers can expect even more Indian performances.
Southlake Diwali’s new additions will undoubtedly draw even larger crowds of both Indians recalling a taste of home and community residents interested in learning about the holiday.
Live cooking shows will not only bring the aromas and taste of India to Southlake but also an interactive experience of Indian living and Diwali traditions. A fashion show will include traditional and non-traditional Indian attire, and a market experience will showcase local artisans selling casual and traditional party wear, ethnic wear and jewelry.
While attendees are encouraged to wear traditional Indian attire, locals are welcome to come just as they are. It’s not the fashions that make Diwali; it’s the community’s desire to be a part of something larger that keeps Diwali special. Kush thinks that curiosity starts at an early age, which is why he is expanding the kids’ offerings this year as well.
“We hope the festivities will enrich kids' experiences and raise their curiosity and awareness to learn more about Diwali,” says Kush.
This year’s Diwali Fest will be hosted on Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. at Rustin Pavilion in Southlake Town Square. It’s set to be a vibrant display full of significance.
“Celebrating Diwali in Southlake means a lot,” Kush says, his eyes beaming. “It brings back a flood of fond childhood memories surrounding the festival and a feeling of home. It also means creating experiences and memories about Diwali celebration for the next generation of kids that they can reminisce about later in life. It gives us all immense happiness to be able to share the spirit of Diwali.”