Every year, Lexington High School hosts Darba, the school’s annual Navaratri and Diwali celebration organized by the South Asian Student Association (SASA). The event showcases South Asian traditions through music, dance, food, and decorations, providing a space for the LHS community to experience these cultural practices firsthand.
“Darba is one of the biggest SASA events of the year,” Shambhavi Nigam, the leader of SASA, said.
According to SASA advisor Dr. Parul Kumar, the club was founded to create a safe environment where South Asian students would feel represented and connected.
“It’s essential that all students feel ‘seen’ for who they truly are, including their cultural backgrounds and unique abilities,” Kumar said.
Planning for the Darba event began several months in advance and involved extensive coordination among SASA leaders, cabinet members, and advisors about decorations, food, venue, and planning logistics.
Other responsibilities, such as contacting restaurants, securing donations, collaborating with other clubs, and creating promotional materials, were divided among leaders. The club publicized the event through their Instagram page, Google Classroom, and posters hung around the school.
In this year’s event, the Bollywood Dance Club contributed to the performances, while parents supported the celebration by volunteering as chaperones. Additionally, the club offered a group discount to encourage students to bring friends to the event, increasing participation and promoting cross-cultural celebration.
In the future, Kumar hopes to expand participation in Darba to a wider student body, stating that it would foster feelings of inclusivity and respect for the diversity at LHS.
“Many students who do not identify as South Asian participate in Holi and Darba events, but I am hoping to increase that number in the future. My goal is to involve all of the LHS community in the events organized by SASA. It creates a meaningful opportunity for staff and students to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage shared by many students and families within our community,” Kumar said.
Darba provides opportunities for staff and students to learn about South Asian culture and heritage. Through organizing these celebrations, SASA allows students to express their identities while enriching their understanding of diverse traditions.
“By cultivating a sense of inclusivity and respect, such events reinforce LHS as a community that values and celebrates the unique backgrounds of all its members,” Kumar said.
