Last week, Members of WashU Nephrology came together to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with a joyful gathering filled with Indian sweets, savory snacks, and Masala chai (spiced black tea). The event featured hands-on activities including Paint the Diya (decorating clay lamps to take home), henna tattoos, and Rangoli drawing – an age-old art form that symbolizes joy and good fortune. Wearing Indian ethnic dress for the party was both welcome and encouraged!
Diwali is one of the most significant religious festivals for Hindus, and is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. It falls during the Hindu month of Kartik, typically between the mid-October and mid-November. This year, Diwali begins on Monday, Oct. 20. The name comes from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights,” and the festival honors the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
“Celebrating festivals like Diwali at our workplace is an opportunity to spread glory, exchange cultures, and embrace unity in diversity,” says Hemalatha Sundaramoorthi, PhD, a Senior Scientist in the Humphreys Lab, who organized the celebration. “Traditional food, music, and activities such as herbal henna tattoos, diya clay painting, and rangoli drawing filled the afternoon with joy and cherished moments.”
Thanks go to Meei-Hua Lin, PhD, a Senior Scientist in the Jeffrey Miner Laboratory for the following pictures of the celebration:
