College of Arts and Sciences
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
UVM Diwali Night 2010
Nabanita Mukherjee
Diwali, The Festival of Lights, a multi-day religious celebration in Hinduism, Jainism,
and Sikhism, takes place between mid-October and mid-November based on lunisolar
Hindu calendar. For Hindu, Sikh & Jain communities Diwali is a spiritually sacred &
highly awaited festival as Christmas is for Christians. Diwali is regarded as an official
holiday in most of the parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana,
Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji & few other countries.
The word Diwali is derived from Deepavali, having a Sanskrit origin, which
etymologically means ‘row of lamps’. During this festive season it is a tradition to light
candles and clay lamps, called diyas or dīpas, filled with oil to signify the triumph of
good over evil, prosperity over poverty and knowledge over ignorance. This festival is
celebrated by wearing new clothes and sharing gifts, sweets and snacks with friends
and family. Fireworks are integral part of this festival.
As per Hindu tradition, Diwali begins with Dhanteras on which most Indian business
communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka
Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna.
Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation. The fifth
day & final is referred to as Bhatri Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj, or Bhai Fonta), and on
this day sisters pray for the good health & prosperity of their brothers.
The inception of Diwali Celebration on UVM Campus took place in 2006. Continuing the
same custom, Indian Student’s Association at UVM conducted the fifth year of Diwali
Night Celebration on 20th November, 2010. This year the theme of this cultural saga
was to portray the celebration of the ‘Diwali’ across different states of India. The
performers and organizers of UVM Diwali Night were those whom UVM community
knows as teaching assistants, research assistants or post doctoral associates.
Nabanaita, Krittika, Parna, and Shreoshi making an Indian art called Rangoli
The graduate students of the Department of Biology have always contributed massively
in these kinds of cultural exchanges and displayed their extracurricular talents. This
year Nabanita Mukherjee and Shreoshi Pal Choudhuri, both from the Biology
Department, participated in this Indian cultural event. Nabanita performed a dance
which was based on a song, called “Anando dhara bohiche bhubone” composed by
Asia’s first Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, that means a stream of joy is flowing
through the universe. This song depicts the serenity and enlightenment that prevailed in
the universe after the victory of good over evil and urges us to keep aside our selfish
motifs and superficial grief and fill our void life with affection and love. Alongside
Nabanita, there were other members from various departments who delivered their
performance with finesse. The whole event was regarded with overwhelming
appreciation from the UVM and Greater Burlington Community. The chief guests for this
program were Dr. Jane Knodell, Interim Provost and Mr. Bob Kiss, the Mayor of
Burlington. This memorable night was finally concluded with the displays of “Hena” or
Indian body art, followed by delicious Indian cuisine.