Diwali celebrations reflect Bay Area's growing Indian-American community
With Diwali underway, the Bay Area's growing Indian-American community is making its presence felt through food, fashion, music and celebrations that bring generations together.
The Festival of Lights begins Sunday, and the festivities are growing alongside the region's Indian-American population, which has more than doubled since 2010, according to U.S. Census data.
At a free, all-day festival in Newark, hundreds gathered to celebrate Indian culture, with live music, traditional clothing and food creating a sense of connection to home.
For some, the celebration is also a way to preserve traditions for the next generation.
"This is very nostalgic," one attendee said, describing the feeling of coming together with others to celebrate. He said events like the festival give people an opportunity to reconnect through music and community.
Vendors showcased clothing and styles from across India, hoping to make attendees feel at home. But tradition is also evolving, particularly for younger generations growing up in the United States.
One vendor described the changing styles as a mix of Indian tradition and Western i...