The Indian Americans of Lexington Association (IAL) hosted its 2011 Diwali Mela to a sellout crowd of 600 people on October 22^nd, 2011. As always, the festival remains a favorite amongst Indian households, and judging by the crowd and active participation in the festival and cultural program, it held up to a very high bar.  Diwali, is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali”, literally meaning “row of lights.” 

The cultural program gains momentum and richness each year. What was evident this year more so than any was the absolute joy of the participants. Kids and adults, truly reveled in the pure fun of the festival. It is no small task to manage a groups of children in dance or music sequences, yet local teachers did so with such elan and grace.

A special call out to a group of 22 moms, who elaborately performed a dance routine to a Bollywood song medley. If anything, they provide inspiration to the youngsters in the crowd that there is no age bar to having fun! Kids were wildly cheering on their moms as they danced gracefully with their twirling long skirts, or “ghagras”.

The crowd was once again treated to a host of ravishing appetizers by One World Cuisine’s Amrik Pabla. A Lexington resident, his support of this function is always greatly appreciated by the entire local community.

The IAL has always believed in donating back to the Lexington community, and continued their tradition when IAL Chair, Mr. Puran Dang, and the steering committee of Sudha Balasuryan, Geeta Kannan, Anu Saxena, Archana Singhal and Nirmala Garimella presented a $1000 donation to Carolyn Wortman of the Lexington Food Pantry. The Pantry is a shelter for less fortunate hungry people. Dr. Narain Bhatia, presented the vote of thanks to the performers, organizers and choreographers , parents and grandparents who put the show together.

The spirit of Diwali was felt from start to finish of the program, giving old friends a chance to spend time together, and new residents of the area to meet the warm and welcoming community. 

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