Insights and Inspiration for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful You

Subscribe

Insights and Inspiration

For a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful You

Home » Diwali builds cultural bridges, spreads light of goodness

Diwali builds cultural bridges, spreads light of goodness

In an exclusive interview, the author of a new Diwali book delves into the deeper meaning of the festival in an era when inclusivity has a societal focus.

by Parveen Chopra
0 comments
Diwali builds cultural bridges, spreads light of goodness

In an increasingly interconnected world, cultural celebrations like Diwali are taking on new dimensions, reaching beyond geographical boundaries to resonate with diverse communities. The widespread appeal of Chhavi Arya Bhargava’s A Kids Book About Diwali is not just a testament to the universal themes of Diwali – such as renewal, unity, and the triumph of light over darkness, but also to a growing cultural curiosity that seeks to honor diverse traditions with depth and meaning.

For Chhavi, a former school teacher and passionate advocate for educational inclusivity, the success of her book reflects a broader movement towards embracing cultural celebrations in more meaningful ways. As Diwali gains formal recognition in places like the New York City school system and Pennsylvania, she believes that we should go beyond simply introducing a holiday. She wants to spark a dialogue about gratitude, kindness, and renewal, offering a lens through which to explore shared human values. 

As South Asian culture increasingly seeps into the fabric of American society – whether through movies, music, or the growing representation of cultural leaders – Diwali stands out as a bridge that connects diverse communities. 

Exclusive interview with Chhavi Arya Bhargava, who has been promoting multicultural values:

Chhavi Arya Bhargava: I’m incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response to A Kids Book About Diwali, but I wouldn’t say I’m entirely surprised. Diwali is a universal holiday that speaks to people on multiple levels—and has always been a time when families and friends gather to celebrate tradition and community. The timing of the book did coincide with more schools and communities formally recognizing Diwali, which helped create a broader cultural movement where more people were paying attention to Diwali than ever before–even those who have never celebrated it before. We are living in a time when people are eager to connect with and understand cultural celebrations, especially as inclusivity becomes a stronger societal focus.

chhavi and white kid

It’s not enough to mark the day on a calendar or just know it exists. True inclusion requires understanding the cultural and spiritual roots of Diwali. It’s also about the ongoing journey of self-reflection and personal growth, which gives the holiday its universal appeal.

The one thing that surprised me was how deeply families from diverse backgrounds have connected with the book’s message. It goes beyond introducing Diwali – it’s a way to engage children and families in conversations about values like gratitude, unity, and generosity. One thing early readers have shared with me is that they really appreciate the book’s ability to convey these timeless lessons in an accessible way. Given my background as a school teacher for over a decade, I also paired the book with resources, activities, and lessons that were previously either hard to find or unavailable to help parents and teachers alike teach children about Diwali inclusively. The intersection of cultural curiosity, representation, and these enduring values has probably been the biggest driver of the book’s widespread appeal.

Chhavi: I believe Diwali’s essence transcends its varied regional celebrations. At its heart, Diwali symbolizes renewal, the triumph of hope, and the power of light over darkness—both in the world and within us. It’s not just about good defeating evil; it’s also about the ongoing journey of self-reflection and personal growth, which gives the holiday its universal appeal.

Though celebrated differently across India—Lakshmi for prosperity, Kali for empowerment, or Rama’s return as a symbol of justice—the unifying message is embracing the new.

For Sikhs, Diwali marks the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment, symbolizing liberation. For Jains, it commemorates Lord Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana, a time for spiritual awakening. Buddhists in some regions celebrate it as Ashok Vijayadashami, marking Emperor Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism and his commitment to peace. These variations reflect the festival’s adaptability, but all point toward the common theme of renewal and light. 

In Tamil Nadu, the focus on cleaning and organizing reflects the spiritual act of letting go of the old to make room for new energy. In Gujarat, the festival marks a time of business closures and new beginnings, symbolizing not just economic renewal but a refresh of mindsets.

For South Asians in the diaspora, Diwali serves to reconnect with their roots. Lighting diyas in homes across the US is a metaphor for the resilience of cultural traditions, bridging generational and geographical gaps. Ultimately, Diwali reminds us that, no matter how we celebrate, we’re all on a shared journey from darkness to light, and the holiday is a call to nurture goodness through both grand and simple acts of kindness and renewal.

Diwali activities for kids

Diwali is a way to engage children and families in conversations about values like gratitude, unity, and generosity. Use the occasion to declutter your space – both physically and mentally – as the festival is as much about renewal as it is about joy.

Photos courtesy: Chhavi Arya Bhargava

Chhavi: For those in the diaspora, celebrating Diwali is about blending tradition with personal meaning. You don’t have to follow every ritual in a prescribed way—focus on what resonates with you and your family. Lighting diyas can be more than decoration; it’s a symbol of bringing light into your life and community. Share a meal, whether it’s homemade sweets or treats from small businesses like Malai Ice Cream or Tagmo Sweets, supporting local while honoring cultural roots.

In our family, we love reinventing our Diwali celebrations with new traditions that engage everyone, including kids of all ages. One of our favorites is putting a creative spin on a Diwali skit, where everyone participates, even friends who have never celebrated before. Hosting virtual Diwali parties for friends has also become a fun way to connect. Diwali is also the perfect time for introspection. Use the occasion to declutter your space—both physically and mentally—as the festival is as much about renewal as it is about joy.

What I love most about Diwali is the opportunity it offers to educate and share. We invite non-South Asian friends to learn about the festival through stories, books, or intimate gatherings. It’s a moment to build cultural bridges, expanding the understanding of what Diwali truly represents—light, community, and the power of renewal.

Chhavi: Yes, Diwali is definitely gaining wider recognition, but in many places, the holiday’s deeper significance still isn’t fully understood. It’s not enough to mark the day on a calendar or just know it exists—true inclusion requires understanding the cultural and spiritual roots of Diwali. At its core, Diwali is about values like reflection, community, and the triumph of light over darkness. To go even further to make Diwali a “mainstream” holiday in America, schools must go beyond acknowledgment and weave Diwali and other cultural celebrations into their curriculum meaningfully.

A recent example of this growing recognition is Mattel X – Anita Dongre’s launch of the Diwali Barbie, a cultural milestone that signifies the festival’s entrance into mainstream consumer culture. While the Diwali Barbie is an exciting step forward, it also shows one of the ways that we can make the holiday a greater part of our larger culture rather than just a single day on the calendar. While representation in toys is a good start—the more important and lasting opportunity is to ensure that children of all backgrounds also learn the stories, values, and traditions behind the festival.

Incorporating books like A Kids Book About Diwali is crucial for this. It’s not just about teaching Diwali as a “South Asian holiday” (it’s already a major holiday celebrated by more than a billion people and dozens of countries outside India after all!) but as a celebration of values like kindness and gratitude that resonate universally. By integrating these holidays into education, students can engage with traditions different from their own, fostering empathy and curiosity. This shift from simply recognizing Diwali to fully embracing its meaning helps create a more inclusive learning environment where every culture is explored deeply and respectfully.

rama and ravan on Diwali

Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark Lord Rama’s return as a symbol of justice. For Sikhs, it marks the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment, symbolizing liberation. For Jains, the festival commemorates Lord Mahavira’s nirvana, a time for spiritual awakening.

Chhavi: South Asian culture is indeed seeping into the American consciousness and growing in influence across the world. We can all see this reflected across entertainment, politics, business, and local communities. South Asians are not just thriving in leadership roles, they are also using their platforms to share and normalize aspects of Indian culture within the mainstream.

In entertainment, figures like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra have highlighted South Asian narratives, while Kamala Harris’s heritage has made Indian culture more visible in the political arena. Musicians like Jay Sean, whose chart-topping hits introduced Bollywood influences into pop music, and Tesher, whose viral tracks like “Jalebi Baby” blend Indian and Western beats, have also contributed to bringing Indian sounds into the mainstream. Their music not only entertains but also familiarizes non-South Asians with elements of Indian culture, making it a part of everyday life for many listeners.

In business, leaders like Sundar Pichai, Indra Nooyi and Satya Nadella represent success and embody South Asian values like resilience and community. Entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor Rohan Oza, known for popularizing culturally rooted products, shows how South Asian influence is impacting mainstream consumer markets. There are plenty more up-and-coming examples, such as businesses like Kulture Khazana, Modi Toys, Masala Bhangra, and organizations like The Culture Tree, which introduce Indian traditions through stories, dance, and educational play. Even influencers like @Adityamadiraju and @Payalforstyle, who focus on blending tradition with modernity, are helping shift perceptions of Indian culture.

This shift is more than just recognition—it’s about integrating Indian traditions into the broader American narrative, creating a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be “American.”

Connect with Chhavi, get a copy of her Diwali book and download free educational resources here: https://www.bookaboutdiwali.com/ @chhavidc (Instagram)

About Chhavi Arya Bhargava 

Chhavi Arya Bhargava is an Indian American Canadian entrepreneur and former elementary school teacher who believes we all have the power to build a more inclusive world. Her latest book, A Kids Book About Diwali, helps grownups and kids better understand the Diwali holiday, fostering belonging and pride among those who celebrate. She is a contributor to the Wall Street Journal bestseller Beyond Diversity and co-founder of the Non-Obvious Company and IdeaPress Publishing. 

Earlier, Chhavi spent a decade teaching and introduced Canada’s first multicultural curriculum on diversity and inclusion. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband, her in-laws and two teenage boys.

Happy Diwali 2024 greetings

Related Articles