Marine Park shined bright, as the Marine Park Alliance (MPA) launched its fifth annual Festival of Lights series, where residents gathered to observe Diwali at the Carmine Carro Community Center, 3000 Fillmore Avenue, on Saturday, October 19th.
The MPA’s Festival of Lights is a series of observances of various holidays that are celebrated throughout the world that have a focus on the significance of light, including Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice and Kwanzaa, among others.
The event was organized by the MPA with support by Assemblywoman Jaime Williams and State Senator Roxanne Persaud, who were in attendance. Ravi Doobay, a pandit of the Maha Lakshmi Mandir’s clergy, curated the ceremony. There were also dance sequences from special guests Sloka Iyengar, Navishti Doobay and Hemakshee Doobay.
Diwali is observed over a five-day period. Dhanteras is the first day of the holiday, which was on October 18th, with Diwali being the “peak” of the holiday on the 20th, and it concludes on the 22nd, Bhai Dooj. The days follow as Dhanteras, Kali Chaudas, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Several faiths of the Southwest Asian communities celebrate the holiday, such as Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “row of lights” and the holiday symbolizes light’s triumph over darkness, essentially good over evil. Observers light diyas (clay lamps) outside their homes and, if possible, set them afloat on bodies of water, on the night of the new moon, to receive blessings from the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi. Homes are also decorated with rangoli, a traditional Indian art form, designed by using rice flour, colored sand and flower petals, as another way to receive blessings from Lakshmi.
Dances were once again a highlight as Iyengar did two performances. The first dance was sung in Sanskrit and was for the deity Ganesha, specifically for his being a remover of obstacles, while the second song was in Tamil and was for the goddess Parvati, also known as Meenakshi and her various forms.
The Doobay sisters performed “Ashta Lakshmi Stotram,” a song of womanly victory and prosperity.
Although musical aspects such as dance were a highlight in this year’s celebration, an important aspect was the focus on women. Doobay showcased Hinduism and India’s cultural feminist aspect.
He noted how women are treated with utmost respect in families and how India has produced highly revered queens and even a prime minister.
“Celebrating the Diwali in Marine Park brings perspective on a celebration of light itself, because as Marine Park continues to celebrate the festival of light, our Hindu perspective sheds, or brings clarity, and how women are very important to the Hindu society and they represent the best of our society,” Doobay said.
Some residents were recognized for their contributions to the community, such as Shamila Pantaleon, with Sammy and Natalie Bical; the former received a citation from the New York Assembly and Senate for her frequent donations, such as Thanksgiving and giveaways, among other charitable acts.
“MPA is thrilled to kick off our fifth annual Festival of Light Series, starting with Diwali and continuing through the end of the year with Santa in the Park, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Winter Solstice,” MPA Executive Director Scott Middleton said. “We invite everyone from near and far to come and join these events, and, of course, you can find more information that Marine Park.org/events.”
