While the global celebration of Diwali is set for November 1st this year, the island of Guam kicked off the Hindu festival of lights early with a grand celebration over the weekend.
The annual Diwali event, hosted by the Indian Temple of Guam, transformed the Hyatt Regency’s Grand Ballroom into a vibrant showcase of Indian culture, drawing a diverse crowd to experience the magic of this cherished festival.
A Festival of Light and Unity
Vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow decorations radiated through the entrance to Hyatt Regency Hotel's Grand Ballroom, evoking the warmth and energy of Diwali.
The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, and good over evil. Over a billion people across the world celebrate it, but for many on Guam, it’s also a unique opportunity to experience and appreciate Indian traditions up close.
"This isn't something you see very often," said Hannah Sablan, who first attended the Diwali ball in 2019 with her mom. "It's such a beautiful experience to witness Indian culture being shared and appreciated."
Sablan dressed in a shimmering black and silver lehenga choli, one of the many traditional outfits worn by attendees.
Outside the ballroom, lines formed as people got henna tattoos, tarot card readings, and a buffet of aromatic Indian cuisine. The air was filled with rich scents of spices, and the hum of eager conversations as the crowd anticipated the evening's performances.
The Sound of Cultural Fusion
Inside, the highlight of the night was the performance by Dhol Riderz, a Malaysian-based dhol drumming and Bhangra group. The dhol, a double-headed drum central to Indian music, echoed throughout the ballroom, capturing the audience’s attention. But this wasn’t just a traditional showcase.
"It’s classical fusion," said Kiret Singh, the group’s lead drummer and singer. "We’ve blended classical Indian dance forms like Kathak and Bharatnatyam with Western styles, including lock-and-pop."
"It's just classical fusion," said Kiret Singh, the group's lead drummer and singer. He added that they'll feature classical Indian dances not widely known, like Kathak and Bharatnatyam, mixed with a couple of Western dance steps "like lock and pop and stuff."
The fusion of cultures extended to the music as well. Dhol Riderz blended Indian music over bagpipes, saxophones, and violins, creating a dynamic experience that had everyone clapping along.
While the group didn't have live instruments, Singh said they had tracks and songs that were produced by themselves.
"Music speaks its own language," Singh explained. "As long as people can come in the same energy and wavelengths, I think fusion is what the result is at the end of the day."
This blend of cultures resonated with first-time attendee, Morgan Aiken, who's already planning a return. "That's the plan. And I have my other outfit that I bought that I didn't wear, so hopefully I can make it back," he said.
Guam’s Heartfelt Hospitality
Amidst the dazzling lights and energetic performances, it was Guam’s warmth and hospitality that left a lasting impression on Singh. After arriving on an early morning flight, Singh found himself short on cash during a stop at a local convenience store. And the store required a $10 minimum purchase if customers use a credit card.
Singh ended up grabbing things for purchase that "was more than $10, obviously."
When he returned to the cashier, a small act of kindness followed.
"She's like, oh, it's fine. It's all paid for. Welcome to Guam. And I'm like, really?!" Singh recalled. "She's like, nah, it's fine. It's all good. It's your first time here."
Singh was surprised by the gesture but kept seeing those little acts of kindness wherever he went.
"I don't really see that very often," he said. "That's the one thing I really love about Guam. It's the people."
