Blog

Des Plaines Public Library has a tradition of celebrating the many cultures that make up our vibrant community.

In October our focus will be on India and Diwali: Festival of Lights, an important Hindu holiday celebrated around the world.

From October 21-25, you can make a lantern with a partner, hear a lecture on the significance of Diwali in the religions of India, make a lantern with tassels (for teens), watch a Bollywood movie and learn how to be a better consumer.

On October 27, join us for a festival of music, dance and a bridal procession, where you’ll see traditional wedding attire from several Indian states.

Click here to see more details and go to our calendar to register for these events.

The Diwali events are co-sponsored with the Friends of the Library.

And to learn more about this magical holiday, check out this article in Encyclopedia Britannica:

 “Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali takes its name from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning “row of lights.”

During the five-day festival, small earthen lamps filled with oil light up houses and temples and are also set adrift in rivers and streams. This is said to be in commemoration of the return of Rama (an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu) to Ayodhya and his delayed coronation as king after 14 years in exile as told in the epic Ramayana.

Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, decorating houses, feasting, and wearing new clothes. Gambling is a favorite pastime, symbolizing the games of dice played by the Hindu god Siva and his wife Parvati.”

Want more?

Explore other aspects of Indian culture, check out the many resources offered on dppl.org.

Kanopy

Watch films & documentaries from India on Kanopy. This streaming service includes independent, foreign, classic & documentary films.

Over 30,000 films are offered, including The Criterion Collection, Media Education Foundation, The Great Courses, New Day Films and more. 

Mango Languages & Pronunciator

Learn Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Gujarati or Tamil - these programs make it fun!

Mango offers a variety of fun ways to help you learn another language, including English.

A voice comparison feature compares your pronunciation to a native speaker’s. Use it on your computer or tablet or on your cellphone, by downloading the mobile app.

Pronunciator is a fun way to learn any of 80 languages with self-directed lessons, live teachers, movies, music, and more. ESL courses are available for speakers of several languages.

For adults and children.

PressReader

Read a newspaper or magazine published in India (in English & Indian languages.)

On PressReader, you'll find current newspapers and magazines in several languages, presented in full-page format with photographs, advertisements, crossword puzzles and cartoons. This is a great way to read world wide news or develop your skills with another language.

Most of our online resources are available to everyone in the library and to Des Plaines cardholders from home.