2008 Woodie Awards
Festivals celebrated on campus
Misty Lester
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
| |
|
Nepalese students at SCSU will be playing host to the Dashai and Tihar Celebration Oct. 20 to commemorate the festivals, which are determined by lunar calendar astrologers.
The festivals incorporate history, religion and seasonal elements into celebrations where people can socialize and have fun.
Dashain is notably the most important festival among Nepalese.
Asia-planet.net reported the entire population of Nepal celebrates the festival, which falls between mid-September to mid-October.
The Web site also noted Nepalese celebrate the 15-day festival by buying new clothes, eating good food and visiting family members.
Card games are popular during this time, and various fairs and celebration events are organized during the Dashain fortnight. Dashain emphasizes family gatherings and the renewal of community ties.
Asia-planet.net also said Dashain is a celebration of Goddess Bhagabati's victory over evil Mahisashurand.
Tihar is a celebration of lights, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
Although some Nepalese events are more calm than others, cultural dances and songs become critical parts of these two festivals.
The five-day celebration generally falls on a fortnight after Dashain. Both events are mutually enjoyed by Nepalese people.
In light of the festival, houses are illuminated at night, while special dishes are prepared.
Asia-planet.net reported Tihar, like Dashain, is a series of family events.
Tihar is also known by many other names.
Tihar is about worshipping different animals, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and inviting brothers for blessings on the forehead called Tika.
"Through this program, we are planning to inform other people including students, faculty members and community members about what Dashain and Tihar are all about. That includes how people in Nepal celebrate it by using dances related to the Dashain and Tihar Festival, Tihar songs and a presentation about the festival," said Nepalese student Bibek Adhikari. "We are trying to make this program as classical as possible, so that we can inform other students and community members what Dashain and Tihar are all about."
The Nepalese Student Association (NSA) is organizing the event, and part of the financial support is provided by student activity fees. Adhikari is currently the interim president of NSA.
Adhikari said due to the limited money NSA has, the association is not able to make the event free, although they would like to.
The celebration will be conducted in the Atwood Little Theater, with a limited number of tickets available.
Tickets can be purchased at the Atwood kiosk Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Broadly, the performances include the music and dances related to the event," said NSA program coordinator Pratik Suwal Singh. "A couple of songs, dances and visual presentations have been planned so far. People can expect a quality show, which has a lot to offer other than just the regular things that go on. The show is going to be informative, and the authentic Nepali cuisine is also something that should not be missed."
The event is open to students, faculty members and community members.
SCSU students who have a valid student ID can attend for $2. All other tickets are $7.
The program will run from 4 until 5:15 p.m. tentatively.
Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. in the Cascade Room in the Atwood Memorial Center.