Every year, Masala-SACE, a student organization dedicated to promoting awareness of South Asian culture, prepares a performance in commemoration of Diwali, the major Hindu holiday also known as the Festival of Lights.

Saturday night, South Asian Cultural Exchange presented the Vanderbilt community with "Diwali 2008: Vanderbilt Desi." The performance, held in Langford Hall, featured music, dancing, Spoken Word and was preceded by a dinner of South Asian cuisine.

In Hinduism, Diwali celebrates the uplifting of spiritual darkness. SACE adds a twist to the celebration by mixing South Asian and American cultures to demonstrate the blended heritages of SACE members.

The show is a combination of skits and dances. Students perform the dances, each with a unique tie to South Asian culture, in traditional Indian garb.

"(The great thing is) everybody comes together to celebrate cultural traditions," said sophomore Naveed Nanjee.

SACE is an organization of over 100 undergraduate students. These students attended months of rehearsal in order to prepare for Diwali, which attracted an audience of about 1,500 people.

"The practices were amazing," said freshman Raheel Thobhani. "I met so many different people."

For students interested in becoming involved in SACE, the organization's general body meetings take place at 9 p.m. every other Wednesday in Sarratt 363.