Nepalese festivals celebrated

The sights and sounds of Nepal filled the Atwood Ballroom Saturday.

The Nepalese Student Association (NSA) hosted Dashain and Tihar Night, a celebration of the two most significant festivals in Nepal.

“For us it’s like celebrating the festivals we have back home,” Ayush Maskey, a SCSU senior from Kathmandu, Nepal, said.

Dashian and Tihar last for 20 days during the months of September and October.

The weather is usually pleasant and flowers are in full bloom as people across Nepal celebrate Dashian.

The Goddess Durga is worshiped and people feast on home-cooked meals.

The night culminated with Nepalese food: pulau, goat meat curry, rajma, cauliflower curry, pickled potatoes with cucumber, and gajar ko haluwa, a traditional carrot pudding dessert.

“My favorite food is goat meat, and I really like Nepalese tea,” said Suresh Niraula, the president of NSA.

During Tihar the Goddess Laxmi is worshiped. The sky is illuminated with fireworks and candles light the streets.

Animals are praised—the second day is devoted to dogs. Special foods are eaten and siblings share gifts with one another.

The NSA worked to bring these two important festivals together for one night of music, dance and Nepalese food.

“We worked for about two months designing the ballroom, making decorations and practicing dances,” Niraula said.

The NSA has hosted events like this one since 1995.

The largest number of international students who attend SCSU are from Nepal; Ann Radwan, the CIS Associate Vice President, shared her appreciation for Nepalese students during the program’s opening remarks.

Radwan said she believes international students form a very important part of our community, both the school and surrounding community.

“I want everyone to know that international students are a blessing to us here at SCSU,” Radwan said.

Following the opening remarks was a video message from Denee Janda, the former NSA advisor, and Mitch Bender, the association’s current advisor.

Bender said Many Nepalese students have been away from their families for a long time, but they’ve made new families here at SCSU.

The night carried on with music and dances.

Kyle Coleman was one of the dancers who performed.

Although he is not from Nepal, Coleman became interested in the country after becoming friends with someone from Nepal.

“Nights like tonight are important for SCSU so that people can learn about Nepalese culture,” Coleman said. “Most of the country is Hindu, yet festivals like Dashain and Tihar are celebrated by everyone.”

The song “Jiwan Ke ho?” (What’s Life?) was played and the songs “Chiso chiso hawama” and “Dheusire” described life in the U.S. form the perspective of Nepalese students.

The audience burst into laughter at the end of a dance about the art of flirting entitled “Jhamke Fuli, nakai ma bulaki.”

The NSA plans to host another event this spring. Nepal Night is scheduled for April 17, 2010.