December 2020 | Vol 14.1

A publication of the Hindu American Foundation NEWS DECEMBER 2020 | VOL 14.1

Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, HAF IT WAS pulled together, pivoted, and A YEAR TO delivered. 2020So what exactly REMEMBER did we do?

STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Suhag A. Shukla, Esq Arjun Bhagat Executive Director Rishi Bhutada Samir Kalra, Esq Mihir Meghani Managing Director IN THIS ISSUE Rajiv Pandit Sheetal Shah Managing Director & CFO Aseem Shukla Our New Website and Podcast . . . . . 2 Dharma Advocates and Seetha Aiyar Swaminathan Venkataraman Dharma Ambassadors ...... 4 . Senior Director of NATIONAL COVID Webinars ...... 2. . Philanthropic Partnerships LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Education Beyond Diwali ...... 5 Mat McDermott Rachita Chandak Instagram ...... 2. . Senior Director of A Special Gift for You ...... 6–7 . Communications Arvind Chandrakantan Virtual Galas ...... 3 . . Tejus Shah Pooja Deopura Senior Creative Director Pawan Deshpande Policy and Advocacy ...... 4 Shereen Bhalla, PhD Naman Gupta Director of Education Nikhil Joshi, Esq Pakistani Hindus ...... 4. . Easan Katir Prerana Katti-Raikar California Advocacy Director Raman Khanna Taniel Koushakjian Director of Public Policy Kaushik Macherla Krishna Parmar Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria Director of Development Priya Pandit Syama Allard Rajeev Singh Content Writer Fred Stella Deidra Prather Office Manager Almost 2,000 Our new website folks benefited from our and podcast Coping expanded With COVID webinars? awareness about Featuring the likes of Former Surgeon General Hinduism. Dr. Vivek Murthy, Ashtanga Yoga legend Eddie Stern, and wellness icon Deepak Chopra, Our new website— Garnering over 13,000 our Coping With COVID hinduamerican.org—reached downloads in its first year, webinars provided beneficial and relevant programming. over 500,000 people in 2020. That’s So Hindu—our new We even made stewed apples That means, more people are podcast—brings together with the cooking expertise of receiving fair and accurate entrepreneurs and activists, ayurvedic chef Divya Alter. content about Hinduism. Check politicians and professors, out our most popular blogs: journalists, entertainers, and spiritual teachers. We talk ❱ 10 Things About Swastika about how Hinduism shapes ❱ 12 Things About Hinduism their work and lives. Check out ❱ 4 Stages of Hindu Life our most popular podcasts: ❱ 4 Things About Hinduism ❱ Sheetal Shah talks to and Vegetarianism Ashtanga Yoga legend Eddie By the way, have Stern about his new book you checked One Simple Thing. us out on ❱ Easan Katir talks about Dharmic investing Instagram?

❱ Suhag Shukla speaks with You may want to... Guru Prakash about ending @hinduamerican! We created caste based discrimination 101 posts on Instagram for ❱ The influence of Islamist our Hinduism 101 content and ideology in the Kashmir expanded our social media Conflict: Samir Kalra Speaks reach by 11%. with the Middle East Forum

2 | HAFNEWS | DECEMBER 2020 Our three virtual galas connected 1,000 of us from across the country.

The virtual nature of the year allowed us to connect directly with many of you who have not been able to attend our in-person events in prior years. Our three virtual galas brought together over 1,000 of you from across the country. We heard from Grammy nominated artist Chandrika Tandon, played Hinduism Trivia together, and were awe-struck by the talent of speed painting artist Vilas Nayak.

Our year end gala featured a conversation between Fred Stella and Drishti Mae about their respective journeys to Hinduism. It was so popular that we offered the recording on demand and even brought Fred and Drishti back for a second conversation. Pakistani Hindus Our policy team continued to be has been working a focus for 2020. We continued our support for to ensure Hindu the wellbeing of our Hindu brothers and sisters who fled persecution in Pakistan and still Americans are live in refugee camps in India. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, over 4,000 refugees have treated fairly received vital medical services for and afforded the the past five years. Additionally, we published Hindus in Pakistan: A Survey equal rights and of Human Rights, 2020 to continue highlighting the discrimination and persecution opportunities. faced by the minority Hindu community in Pakistan.

We successfully partnered members to contact elected with community members officials directly. 12,000 to fight off a bill in New advocates sent 33,000 700 of you York that would have messages to over 400 offices completed our forced the swastika to be in 2020. taught solely as a symbol community of hatred. We continue to Our annual Advocacy Forum training push for the elimination of went virtual this year with programs. green card country caps that 350 of you joining in over the two days. Themed Dharma disproportionately affect Hindus. We expanded our popular Advocacy: Empowering Dharma Ambassador program Our new Advocacy Center Hindus at Home and Abroad, and launched a new program... allowed community the forum addressed Hindu Dharma Advocates designed human rights in Bangladesh to train Hindu Americans to and Pakistan as become more effective and well as US-based influential advocates on a wide advocates variety of local, state, and 12,000 issues including federal issues of importance. sent to over Hinduphobia. More trainings are scheduled 33,000 for 2021… we hope to see you 400 offices at one of them! DAY 5: ANIZHAM Across the state in Kerala, the Vallamkali Boat Races begin, which are long snake boat races featuring hundreds of boatmen and thousands of spectators. Additional flowers are added to Our education the pookalam designs.

DAY 6: THRIKETTA By this time, many people begin to visit their families and some businesses start to shut down as Onam vacation begins and fresh flowers continue to be added to pookalams.

ONAM SADYA efforts went Onam Sadya (Onam feast) which occurs on ELEPHANT PROCESSIONS the tenth day of Onam and is traditionally Elephant processions are one of the most and other epics. The most recognizable folk served on a banana leaf, usually consists of awaited events of Onam. Elephants are dance is known as Kathakali and features at least nine coursesDAY with 7: many MOOLAM vegetables. decorated with flowers, ornaments, and dancers with green facial paint with dances enacting famous legends and folktales. In several parts of Kerala, the dancesjewelry related and are to theparaded festival around, often ONAMKALI start. The state is often beautifully‘dancing’ decorated and by interacting this time withwith people. KERALA Onam Kali refers topookalams all the games and played swings at adorned with flowers to celebrate the FOLK DANCES A true pluralistic state, Kerala is home to the festival of Onam,king’s including homecoming. ball games, Many places start serving smaller versions significant Chirstian (approximtely 18%) and tug of war, and archery.of the traditional Onam Sadya. Folk dances are a major attraction of the festival and there are several varieties Muslim (approximately 25%) communities, SWINGS specific to Kerala and/or Onam festivities. both of which join in on the celebrations Swings are an integral part of Onam, Kaikottikali is a clap dance performed by and recognize the symbolism it holds for especially in the villages and rural areas of women and while dancing they praise King the Hindu community. Christian churches hold festivities and place their own spin Kerala. It is common to see young couples Mahabali. Thiruvathira Kali is a women’s and children sing Onappaatt (songs for dance performed in a circle around a lamp. on it and many Muslims participate in the beyond Diwali. Onam) and rock one another on swings. Kummattikali is a colourful-mask dance with celebrations. For these communities, it masked dancers going from house to house is seen as a cultural event rather than as DAY 8: POORADAM specifically religious, but respects the Hindu performing. Onamkali is a form of dance This is a day when the murtis (sacredwhere images players or arrange statues) themselves of King in circles stories and significance. Mahabali and Vamana, the fifth aroundincarnate a pole of Lord or tree Vishnu or lamp, who then dance sent the King away and allows himand to sing visit songs every derivedyear during from the Ramayana Onam, are erected at temples and at homes. These murtis are often placed at the center of pookalams, which should have eight rights by now.

Days of Onam Onam festivities last for ten Our revamped Diwali toolkit brought one of Hinduism’s days, with each day having a Hindu American Foundationunique name and significanceOnam Promoting dignity, mutual repect,with a and mixture pluralism. of competitive hinduamerican.org and celebratory practices. A celebrationFor educational for purposes the harvest. only. Questions? Email us: [email protected] most famous holidays right to your classrooms. We also Onam is an annual Hindu festival, which usually Art Activity falls between August - September, and is For each day of Onam, colorcelebrated for ten days. In India’s southern state in the illustration to make of Kerala, Onam is considered the state festival. it your own art. Share your It commemorates New Year’s Day and is also coloring activities with us onrecognized as a harvest festival. created explainers about two popular but less known While predominantly a Kerala festival, regions in other states, Instagram! Just use the hashtag including Uttar Pradesh (Balia and Baway), Gujarat (Bharuch), and #onamwithhaf in your postMaharashtra for also honor its significance, while Malayali’s or Keralites a chance to be featured on acrossour the world celebrate from afar. As like many other Hindu holidays, Instagram account: there are multiple legends of why a particular celebration occurs and what the

Hindu holidays, Onam and Vaisakhi. And we @hinduamerican. religious significance is. The most common is the story of King Mahabali’s devotion and selflessness. King Mahabali and Three Steps As soon as King Mahabali said yes to Vamana’s request, Lord Vishnu became a over the ten days. Most pookalam feature For many, Onam commemorates the arrival gigantic form known as Trivikarma (Sanskrit ten rings of flowers with the center being of King Mahabali, the young boy who was the translation, “having three steps”) and made up of yellow flowers to represent King released our Kashmir conflict lesson plan, aligning grandson of Prahalad, a committed devotee amassed the whole earth, including King Mahabali. When completed, a miniature Hindu ofAmerican Lord Vishnu, Foundation and one of the inspirations Mahabali’s kingdom, with the first step of his umbrella is sometimes hung over it to protect Promotingbehind dignity, Holi. King mutual Mahabali repect, gained and pluralism.power foot. With the second step, he accumulated it from the weather. hinduamerican.organd dominance by defeating the gods and the whole sky. It was then that Lord Vishnu taking over the three worlds (heaven, earth, asked King Mahabali whereFor heeducational should purposesVALLAMKALI only. BOAT RACES Questions? Email us: [email protected] sky). When the gods were defeated, they place his foot for his third step. The King Vallamkali Boat Races are also known as the our policy and education efforts. approached Lord Vishnu to join them in their joyfully offered his head to demonstrate his snake boat race. Legend has it that the boats battle against King Mahabali, but Lord Vishnu utter devotion, surrender, and faithfulness were used to protect food being taken to declined as he noted that the King was his to Lord Vishnu. Recognizing the selfless the temple from river pirates and are now a loyal devotee and a fair leader to his people. and generous nature of King Mahabali, popular attraction of Onam as the boat riding Lord Vishnu blessed him and sent him to a competitions feature beautiful decorations While King Mahabali was a smart and different with various patterns. knowledgeable King who respected loka (world). At the request of King Mahabali’s people, Lord Vishnu granted him education and was known for his generosity, permission to come back to his kingdom ONATHALLU Lord Vishnu still decided to test the King’s once every year to be among his people. Onathallu is a friendly type of martial arts devotion at an opportune moment. One day, The day of his return, the tenth day of which uses bare hands and is native to when King Mahabali was doing a yagna (a celebrations, is officially recognized as Onam. Kerala. During Onam, an Onathallu is staged form of Hindu worship), a young, cheerful and as a memory of the battle against treachery small boy known as Vamana approached to and power. ask the King for land, which would span three Symbolism of Onam of his footsteps. King Mahabali’s guru, Sage PULIKALI Shukrachayra, warned him that the young There are many celebratory aspects of Pulikali refers to artists dressed up with boy was actually Lord Vishnu in disguise Onam that offer memorable images of the body paint like tigers or leopards who dance and advised against the request, but King festivities spanning ten days. through the streets to the beat of traditional Mahabali ignored the guru and granted the instruments. Usually wearing masks, the boy his wish. POOKALAM Diwali Toolkit dancers mimic tigers and leopards as they Diwali Toolkit Pookalam are elaborate floral displays similar get cheered on by crowds.This folk art enacts to rangolis, but are often more elaborate and the stalking game between the hunter and the Draw Your Own Rangoli! grander in size as they build layer upon layer agile, fierce, and feisty nature of the tiger.

4 Hindu American Foundation 1 and across Promoting dignity, mutual repect, and pluralism. 1 hinduamerican.org Diwali Fact Sheet For educational purposes only. Questions? Email us: [email protected] Directions

Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is a Hindu holiday widely celebrated in India Are you ready to create your own the Hindu Diaspora. The word Diwali derives from Sanskrit and means “a row of lights.” Festivities rangoli artwork? It is actually quite easy. Once you create include the illumination of lights, candles, firecrackers, and diyas (clay lamps) to symbolize the victory the first part, the pattern repeats. Take a of good over evil, inner light over spiritual darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a time for look at the example provided. gathering with loved ones, celebrating life, and committing to makingof the Lord right Vishnu decisions and an embodiment in life. of dharma or righteousness; and Sita is Step 1: Pre-planning. 5 an incarnation of Lakshmi, who is the ❱ Divide the dot grid in equal parts from 2 Why Is Diwali the center like a pie. Think about celebrated? Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The how complex you want the design When is Diwali? residents of Ayodhya were overjoyed to be. Remember, it is traditionally a repeating pattern. The dot grid will Many Hindus recognize Diwali as a day at the return of their rightful King and lit Like many Hindu holidays, Diwali is serve as basic guidance. lamps in his honor. Thus, the entire city synchronized with the lunar calendar so celebrating the return of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife Sita, and brother looked like a row of lights. the actual dates vary from year to year. Step 2: Start drawing! Lakshman after 14 years of exile. Prince Diwali typically falls between October and Other Hindus commemorate Diwali ❱ Let’s put pencil to paper! Pick a half, November. This handy date wheel helps Rama is considered to be an incarnation as the day Lord Krishna defeated the quadrant or an eighth based on explain when Diwali is next! demon king Narakasura. For some how you’ve decided to create the repitition. We recommend that you 6 regions of India, Diwali coincides with the start with small design elements to Hindu New Year. 3 Who celebrates Diwali? 21 get practice with pattern making. 20 Ever since, people light lamps at Step 3: Repeat the pattern. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, ov. 4 2 Diwali to remember that light Sikhs, Buddhists, and people of N 0 triumphs over dark, knowledge ❱ Using the section you’ve designed, O 2 c rotate from the center and repeat the Indian heritage and non-Indian 0 t 2 prevails over ignorance, and good 4 . pattern in the other sections. 2 2 heritage. Despite each faith 1 triumphs over evil. 0 . 4 v having its own historical 2 o Step 2: Color it in. legends and celebratory N Save the How is Diwali ❱ Have fun coloring it in as you see fit. events, the holiday represents dates for 2 celebrated? ❱ Remember, it doesn’t need to be a 1 the same symbolic victory 3 O Diwali! . square. It can be however you want. t of light over darkness, 2 c c Some don’t even follow a pattern. 2 t Diwali is one of the most widely knowledge over ignorance, . O 0 The key is to have fun! 0 2 2 celebrated Hindu festivals in India and good over evil. 2 1 5 and around the world. The rituals and Nov. 1 customs associated with celebrating HAF Diwali Toolkit 2020 // 13 Where is Diwali 4 Diwali vary based on the regional Hindu American Foundation // hinduamerican.org 202 Promoting dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism. celebrated? HAF is a 501(c)(3).HAFsite.org nonprofit for organization. more information. 1 Ancient India refers to the South Asian countries Celebrations can take place at of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri HAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Please visit www home, in mandirs (local temples), Lanka, and parts of Afghanistan. community centers, and other gathering places. Diwali is celebrated by people around the globe. Diwali Toolkit HAF Diwali Toolkit 2020 // 3

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DECEMBER 2020 | HAFNEWS | 5 Thank you for all your support.

If you attended our virtual year end gala, you may have seen a preview of our latest activity, Find the Hinduisms. Some of you may have even won a premium printed copy of your very own. But we want to extend our gratitude to all of you. Your support keeps us going…through tough times and good times. The accomplishments in this newsletter are not just HAF’s, but yours as well. So, we hope you and your family will have fun “finding the Hinduisms” in this scene.

From all of us at the Hindu American Foundation, thank you. We look forward to the new year filled with new challenges and opportunities.

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