Diwali with Diplo and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

Today is quite a big day for me and Indian people around the world. One of the world's most celebrated holidays also falls around this time. Diwali, or The Festival of Lights, is a holiday celebrated in India which has such a wonderfully intricate and beautiful meaning. Spiritually, this festival celebrates the victory of knowledge and wisdom over evil. That light of knowledge is enough to flush out the darkness. There are many different stories that accompany the festival, with roots in many different parts of India. But all of these stories point towards this brightness of self awareness and inner light, and how that triumphs over the spiritual darkness. But in more general terms, Diwali is a celebration of the Hindu new year, celebrated on the first new moon after harvest season. Diwali is a time of celebration and is one of the most lively and fun and energetic holidays of the year. Bright lights, colorful clothing, and rich food adorn households and bring the the community together. Now what I love so much is how those who aren't necessarily Hindu or Indian still appreciate the festival and significance. And that actually brings me to the song of the day. There is one DJ who is not only a worldwide sensation, but is a person and artist who loves India and its culture. Diplo has a very interesting history with India, and my mother country is one that Diplo absolutely fell in love with. He recently posted a picture on social media platforms with an explanation of the image and why India is a place that means so much to him. As someone who is Indian, seeing someone who was born and raised in another country yet appreciates a culture so completely foreign, is really heartwarming. The level of admiration of Indian culture that Diplo has is one of the coolest things I have read. And in honor of our festival of lights, Diplo released a Diwali rendition of Major Lazer's latest hit. This Indian remix of the song is one that captures the stylistic elements of the original song and the cultural elements of Indian music. This rendition is nothing short of magnificent. The seamless blend of Western and Eastern sounds is something that is smooth and beautiful. Anirudh Ravichander is the singer and musician behind this remix, and his work with the song is wonderful. Laying in tabla beats along with melodious violin phrases, this song is draped in rich Indian sounds that give the song a completely different vibe. This homage to India, the festival of Diwali, and Indian culture is absolutely amazing, and I have to say, thank you Diplo for being a part of our vibrant culture. Today's instrumental song is from one of the most famous Bollywood movies ever. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is that one movie that everyone has seen and many have grown up with. This is that one movie that transcends all age groups because everyone has seen it and knows it. The movie opens up with a Diwali song, so I thought it would be cool to have a song that is somewhat modern but is also for one of the most traditional of holidays. This theme is one that is instantly recognizable for people who have seen Bollywood films, and this is that one movie that we all watch and love, despite it's flaws. But I will say, this Diwali opener is one that is beautifully colored and absolutely stunning. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!