American Diwali

It’s been awhile since I wrote anything and gave way to my thoughts. Was trying to study, but sometimes 3D projective geometry ain’t good enough to keep you interested over 49 seconds. So, what’s been happening since my last post? Not as if anybody cares, o well maybe some of you do :). There was a reallllly long pause before I wrote this sentence, nothing worth mentioning to the rest of the world it seems. O yes, had this fun ISA Diwali party last week. Desi parties are so much fun compared to sitting in a pub and sipping on a $4 vodka and listen goras harping on inane issues like election and the war. So glad atleast the first one is over, phew!
The party was neatly organized compared to the resources and time students have here. It started of with the hosts, some desi and some ABCD (has this acronym entered the dictionary yet?), espousing on the significance and history of the festival. The gist: “Diwali is the festival of lights, when ram (yeah its not rama) returned home blah blah, biggest festival in India, I love it too??!!??, more blah” With that “small” talk began the event with a dance performed by another 4 ABCDs, which was nicely done. It was followed by a medley of songs. I guess the singers got so excited that they began singing songs impromptu, which they hadn’t rehearsed. It went on for exactly 34 minutes !! Its funny how short it takes for the audience response to change from a thunderous applause to “ek,don,teen,char..band karo ye atyachar!!” Then came the prize distribution of the ISA sports events. I collected 2 trophies in table tennis, but my friends wouldn’t let me get on the stage, causing an unscheduled halt in the proceedings.
Finally, the time came to hit the dance floor \:d/. The DJ played some foot tapping music and within minutes the dance floor came alive. Its really fun to watch a bunch of Indians dancing, especially if its ursher’s “its getting hot in here” ;) No offense, but we guys can come up with some really wacko dance steps. To add to it, the facial expressions make it fun to watch too, though sometimes I was confused if the guys are in real pain or something ;) Some guys just don’t care what they are doing; they close their eyes and start shaking every possible part of their body (not literally). It’s said, dance like no ones watching, not, dance without watching anyone! Girls are a different breed of dancers altogether. They dance as in giving a performance. They will all gather up in a circle and have these intricate steps. Well, some of us were impressed, though a suggestion, its not a drill !
Some conclusions: 1- Nothing can beat bhangda with respect to the sheer energy and ability to get even the dullest person to get dancing. Its awesome fun to watch that bespectacled guy from the fluids lab explaining to you the fundamentals of fluid flow few minutes ago, doing balle balle on daler mehndi ! 2- Don’t try bhangda when a bunch of sardars are next to you. You will end up looking like a jackass. 3- Beware when you are dancing and when you are falling! There is a thin line between them. Overall the party was fun, though missed home and the entire diwali atmosphere. Diwali is just not complete without “the fullbajis, the laxmi bombs, the sutali bombs” and such assorted firecrackers. But guess, this is how all my diwalis would be for some years now. So I enjoyed it thoroughly :)