On Saturday, a group of Rose Scholars, GRF Sam, and I went out to Diya Jale, a showcase that celebrates Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
I was touched by GRF Sam’s willingness to give up his ticket for a Rose Scholar; his act of kindness ignited an appreciation for the people around me, and, for me, this appreciation set the mood for the rest of the show.
1Rose Scholar Diya Jale Video 2
Usually, in performance organizations, performers are told to smile all of the time, whether they meant it or not. However, I feel that some of the performers meant it. Members of organizations such as Cornell Bhangra beamed as they danced and jumped over and over and over again! Their energy made me smile; I’m so glad that they had fun.
1Rose Scholar Diya Jale Video1
As for the audience, there was a section of students who would not stop shouting at the performers the whole time! They, too, created an atmosphere of familiarity and a sense of belonging; I’m glad to have witnessed their camaraderie.
Lastly, I loved that the actor Omi Vaidya showed appreciation for the president of Cornell’s Society for India and that she, in turn, thanked some important people in her life. From that, I got this sense of a “I may not know you very well, but I got your back” type of sentiment. It was all very beautiful and worthwhile going to.
I love the pictures! You also mentioned the loud group of students during the performance, and I’m very interested by your positive take on their very vocal support. At any point did you find that they were being disruptive, or do you think instead they truly added to the show and that section of students was almost a part of it themselves (like the MCs)?