Buchmuller Park was filled to overflowing on Oct. 12 with music, dancing, delicious food, and brightly colored finery. Residents and friends turned out in large numbers on a gorgeous fall afternoon for the fifth annual Diwali festival in Secaucus, hosted by the Indian Caucus of Secaucus.
Diwali, the “festival of lights,” is an ancient Indian festival celebrating the victory of the Hindu god Rama over the demon Ravana, or more generally, “the good things win[ning] over the bad things,” according to Deputy Consul General of India Dr. M.K. Mohapat, one of several presenters at the event.
Secaucus resident Anubha Bhatta has been attending for four years, either performing onstage or helping out with children’s performances. “I think it’s coming together now – the stage, the costumes” she said. “We plan it better. Previously we just made the kids wear whatever. This time we bought costumes. Everybody looks forward to the event now.”
Attending with Bhatta was her friend Bhavna Ingale and family from Jersey City. “I like the enthusiasm of the parents and kids,” said Ingale. “In Jersey City we have this kind of event but not on a grand scale. It’s like small community events, different hubs of celebration. There are some events, Indian festivals, we do together. Like Independence Day, that’s on a grand scale, but not like this.”
Joining them at the celebration were some non-Indian friends from Secaucus. “They come every year and they love it,” said Bhatta, adding with a laugh, “They’re Indian by association.”
Food and dance
Over by the food concessions, Alfredo Alfonso-Vallejo was enjoying a hearty meal. “I love Indian food,” he said. “My wife and I, we’re Cubans. We have Indian neighbors on both sides. And they told me they came last year but it wasn’t like this at all. It was low-key.”
So what did he think of the event? “It’s great. Eating Indian food and seeing neighbors. It brings people together. We have friends who came today from New York.”
“I can’t wait for the performances,” added his wife Vanessa. “We’ve got a daughter I’m sure is going to want to dance.” Four-year-old Cecilia was out enjoying the crowd with her cousin. “She loves dancing, whatever it is.”
Then she was in the right place. The stage was filled from 4 p.m. onward with dancers from the Surati Dance School in Jersey City, performing a version of the Hindu epic Ramayana, with English narration describing the story of Rama, his wife Sita, and their legendary confrontation with Ravana.
Later, several of the dancers conducted mass dance lessons onstage with a bevy of kids from the audience.
Musicians also performed live music throughout the day.
Putting Secaucus on the map
The purpose of the event, according to Indian Caucus Committee member Raj Pardasani, is “that Indians should come in the limelight,” and to promote intercultural exchange. “We are one human being, all of us. So the idea is to get everybody together.”
And that mission continues to expand. “Last year we had nine vendors,” he said. “This year we have 17. And they’re from New York and Long Island and Staten Island. Secaucus’s name is getting out. Secaucus is coming on the map. It’s a great town, it’s very close to New York. We have no crime rate, we have no unemployment rate. Everything’s so great about this place. The mayor is great. He’s very supportive.”
“It’s like he inspires you,” continued Pardasani, who was leaving for India on business immediately after the event. “I was never into charity or these things. Last year, ever since I met [Mayor Michael] Gonnelli, my company is involved with the homeless, People to People International. Everybody has an excuse. ‘We don’t want to donate because it goes in the wrong hands.’ But Gonnelli said, ‘Go and do it yourself.’ I’m in ladies’ apparel, so we import garments. So what I do is every shipment I give two boxes to the thrift shop, United Way. To me it’s nothing, it’s not expensive. I get it at cost. And these guys really appreciate it. Every drop makes an ocean.”
A perfect day in the park
Secaucus residents Julia Wong, Richard Lu, and their two-year-old daughter Sophie came downtown for shopping and got drawn in by the color and excitement.
Rasika Gandhi said she read about the event in the Secaucus Reporter and came down with her whole family. “We all live in Secaucus,” she said. “We’ve lived here for six years. We love it. Especially when they have one of these events here.”
“I’m not Indian. I’m Spanish,” said five-year-old Olivia Clark with a wide smile. “I like Indian rice.”
“You’re only half Spanish,” corrected her mom, Kari. Young Olivia, a bundle of energy, was still wearing face paint from attending a friend’s party earlier in the day. What brought them out this afternoon?
“It was the food,” said Kari. “And because it’s a nice day and I like to look at the different colors, the music. I like it all. I’m interested in other cultures.”
Also speaking at the event were Mayor Gonnelli, Secaucus Superintendent of Schools Robert Presuto, and Indian Caucus member Rajesh Nagpal, who presented Gonnelli with a plaque in recognition of his continued support of the Indian community.
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.