Brayden Weigelt | Contributing Photographer

Fireworks lit up the sky in bright bursts of red, orange, and blue this past Friday to kick off a weeklong celebration of Diwali. The festival of lights, representing the triumph of good over evil, originates from South Asian cultures, and the Undergraduate South Asian Student Association (ASHOKA) and the Asian American Association (AAA) collaborated to put on the show.  

“We all come from different backgrounds … and it’s important that we’re actually able to learn about each other’s cultures in order to show that we are unified as one, even in trying times,” senior and ASHOKA president Varun Vadhera said. 

The fireworks burst in elaborate formations and colors over Mudd Field for about five minutes. After seeing the impressive display, it’s hard not to wonder how a group of college students pulled off a huge firework show in the middle of campus. Throughout the semester, the executive boards for ASHOKA and AAA, made up of about 50 people total, work together to put on the event. The groups work with an outside contractor, J and M Fireworks, to design and execute the five-minute firework show and have been doing so for four years. They also work closely with Campus Life, Student Success, and Washington University Police Department to guarantee safety and get permits from Clayton, University City, and the fire department. 

“It really exemplifies how working together we can actually create something that’s great for the university and students,” Vadhera said.   

Mudd Field was barricaded with cones and caution tape at 3 p.m. the afternoon preceding the event to allow for setup and to avoid anyone entering the field during the fireworks. Security guards were also placed around the perimeter of the field as further preemptive measure to ensure no one strayed onto the field during the show. These organizations take the safety of the event seriously but also take the fun seriously too. 

According to Vadhera, Diwali Fireworks are one of the organizations’ most popular events of the year and for good reason: the fireworks are a stunning display of shimmering lights that can even be seen halfway through Forest Park. These incredible fireworks were paired with food provided by the Curry Club, Himalayan Yeti, and Afghan Kabob House. Multiple activity tables and lively South Asian music allowed students to engage with South Asian cultures at this free event.

Tickets are now on sale and available at the link in the WashU ASHOKA Instagram bio for the Diwali Show in Edison Theatre, with performances on Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14.