Mandala Fest Brings Culture to Campus

Story and photos by: Brooke DuVall

The Mandala Fest is a celebration of Nepali culture that focuses on collaborative artwork and traditional foods. The mandala is said to represent cosmos and deities in various heavenly worlds and in several Asian regions. 

Students had the chance to participate in an event led by the Nepali Student Association on campus in the biosciences room 1010, on Thursday, March 20. President of Nepali Student Association, Suhani Bam Thakuri, discussed the meaning of the mandala to students before handing out mandala coloring pages and food. 

“It has a symbolic meaning that all things are in a constant phase of change or movement, and nothing is permanent,” she said.

Students were given supplies to color geometric designs, which would later be transformed into a collaborative artwork. 

“We all come from a diverse community, but when we all come together there’s unity,” Thakuri said. “When we hand out separate pieces, those were all diverse pieces. But when we combine all of them together, it symbolizes community.” 

While coloring, students tasted Chatpate, a traditional Nepali snack consisting of puffed rice, dried noodles, spices, and veggies. This snack reminded Thakuri of her childhood in Nepal. 

“You could find this on every street corner,” Thakuri said. “It reminds me of my childhood, and I miss it because I’m here and I’ve not been having it. It is also only found in Nepal. I don’t think we can find this anywhere, so I just wanted to give them the taste of Nepal.” 

This event also honors Asian Pacific Heritage Month, a connection embodied by the mandala itself. 

“The mandala is not only made in Nepal, it is made in almost all parts of Asia,” Thakuri said. “It represents all Asian countries. I think that the art and culture of it represents this month.” 

Currently, the president is working on bringing stability back to the organization. 

“Hopefully we can do more events,” she said. “There are not many Nepali people here, and because of that it’s really not possible to do all the events. I am planning on bringing stability in the association right now. I’m trying to ask for more people to join, and for everybody to come.” 

Thakuri said the main goal of this event was to introduce students to Nepal and its rich culture.

“I wanted to make the event engaging, and I thought this would be a fun idea,” she said. “I also wanted to share the Nepali art and culture that we have been doing generation over generation.” 

The Mandala event brought students from all backgrounds together to appreciate the beauty of Nepali culture. The mandala reminds us that nothing is permanent, and that it’s okay to accept change.

Students who are interested in learning more about the culture can follow the Nepali Student Association on Instagram.