Many students and staff at the University of Memphis hail from around the world, bringing diverse traditions and connections with them. For the Indian community on campus, the longing to reconnect with family and culture is especially meaningful. To celebrate these ties, the Hindu Students Organization (HSO) held a Diwali Potluck to honor their heritage.
"We don't usually do a potluck in India because for each occasion, one household prepares different types of dishes," said Jayasri Botcha, president of HSO. "In the U.S., though, potlucks mean something different, so we wanted to gather as a community, away from India, and celebrate together, calling it the Diwali Potluck."
Held on Nov. 1, at 5 pm in Honors Hall, the Diwali Potluck brought students together to honor Diwali—a religious and cultural festival known as the "Festival of Lights."
“It’s about light's victory over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair,” Botcha said.
The potluck wasn’t just about Diwali, but also served as a way to bring people together in a celebration of culture.
“We miss home sometimes,” said Jagath Chandra Mallam, vice president of HSO. “Everyone back home is celebrating, and we don’t have anyone here to celebrate with. Our main aim is to celebrate this festival with friends here and embrace our culture at the University of Memphis.”
The potluck featured classic Indian dishes such as Onion Pakodi, Tamarind Rice, Mushroom Bhoyi, and desserts like Kesari and Double Ka Meetha. As the evening closed, attendees enjoyed karaoke with Indian songs.
“The goal is to bring the Indian community together during a time that's very nostalgic, to celebrate each other and our diverse community," Saloni Patel, president of the Indian Students Association, said.
