Charlotte Latin School kicked off the Hindu festival of light on the morning of Friday, October 17, with a student-led Diwali assembly for the Upper School and Middle School students. Members of the Indian Student Alliance took turns at the podium to explain the history and global reach of Diwali and to give the Charlotte Latin community a primer on Indian culture, in areas including fashion, architecture, and cuisine.

Kunal Nadkarni ’29, who presented on the topic of cinema, shared his personal Bollywood favorites: the movies Khabi Khushi Kabhie Gham, 3 Idiots, Happy New Year, and War.

Other students participating in the assembly were Sejal Dhiman ’27 and Shivani Kaw ’27, leaders of the ISA, and Upper School students Lewawit Alemu ’26, Anisha Chandra ’26, Jolin Cheng ’26, Aanya Dhakal ’29, Karina Kashyap ’28, Akhil Musunuru ’28, Janice Obeng ’26, Anjali Rao ’27, Vikram Rao ’29, Sita Sagunarthy ’28, Gabby Turner ’26, and Maxwell Williams ’26, plus Middle School students Sarah A., Lara F., and Laila P.

After the cultural overview came the fan-favorite highlight: two dozen students, teachers, and staff members in a dance performance backed by Indian movie music. Choreographed this year by Nidhie Dhiman (ISA advisor and Middle School Innovation & Design Teacher) and Sejal Dhiman, the soundtrack included “Ghungroo” (from War), “Dholida” (from Loveyatri), “Maahi Ve” (from Kal Ho Naa Ho), and “Badri Ki Dhulhania” (from Bandrinath Ki Dulhania).

Joining the festivities onstage in colorful tunics and skirts for the dance number were Latin faculty and staff Megan Butt, Bilal Butt, Nadege Head, Anna Ruth Morrison, Gretchan Frederick, Janis Mishoe, Vernette Rucker, Jessie Sellner, and Lucy Smith. The performance was infectious, demonstrating how quickly cross-cultural gaps can be bridged: in an Introduction to Speech and Debate class soon after it ended, Bilal Butt’s Middle School students demanded a tutorial on how to do the dance themselves.