Happy Diwali!

First grade learns about Diwali and growing up in India from Madhava’s grandmother, Radha.

On Thursday we were fortunate to learn about Diwali and enjoy some connections to the holiday when Radha, Madhava’s grandmother, came to share with us. She shared that Diwali is a celebration of light overcoming darkness and good over evil. She shared how as a child she would get a new dress and celebrate with special foods, giving gifts and honor family members over the 5-day holiday.

Radha told us about the hard work of first grade in India where they needed to learn to read and write in 3 languages and 4 or 5 by middle school.  She showed us how to write 'Susan' in 4 languages.

Radha brought two beautiful Saris, a burgundy one laced with gold paint traditionally from southern India and a blue one, traditionally from northern India. Radha dressed Susan up in the sari by wrapping it around a few times, folding and tucking, then draping it over her shoulder. Radha then decorated Susan with beautiful gold jewelry to add to the regal, formal look of the dress.

Radha shared a few popular foods, puri which is fried bread and halva, made with raisins, cream of wheat and delicious spices. It was like a pudding treat.

Radha also shared a few of the most popular spices with us to experience India using many of our senses.  

Radha sang the National Anthem for us and taught us its origin. The anthem, Jana Gana Mana, was first written by Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 and was declared the national anthem of the “Free India” in 1942 and became official in 1950. Tagore translated it into English and here is a stanza that stood out to me and that Radha referred to when she shared this song with us:

Day and night thy voice goes out from land to land calling the Hindus, Buddhists, Shikhs and Jains round thy throne and the Parsees, Mussalmans and Christians.

The East and West join hands in their prayer to thee, and the garland of love is woven. Thou bringest the hearts of all people into the harmony of one life, thou dispenser of India’s destiny. Victory, victory, victory to thee.

Here is a link to a version of Jana Hana Mana:

Thank you, Radha, for your kindness and generosity, for sharing your story with us and teaching what Diwali means to you!