On October 26, the Asian Library hosted an early Diwali (Festival of Lights) or Deepavali celebration – the most widely celebrated festival in India and throughout South Asia – in partnership with the Centre for India and South Asia Research, Department of Asian Studies, and South Asian Canadian Histories Association. There were about 100 participants who enjoyed the tasty samosas, Khadija Bhatti’s henna painting, Klara Milada’s mantra singing and crystal bowl playing, a Hindi song by Raghavendra Rao K.V., a Research Associate from the Institute of Asian Research, a Punjabi song by Gurinder Mann, and Bhangra by the dancers of Gurdip Art’s Academy.

Sarbjit Randhawa, South Asian and Himalayan Studies Librarian, would like to thank Dr. Anne Murphy, Associate Prof. for Punjabi Language, Literature and Sikh Studies for her continued support to the Asian Library, and Shirin Eshghi, Head of the Asian Library, for her ongoing support and encouragement.