DIWALI, the festival of lights, will be celebrated with a series of events which promise to be fun for all the family.
The festival, which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, marks the start of the Hindu New Year.
Lights, illuminations and pyrotechnics are a symbolic feature of many of the events.
In Brent, London, a crowd of 60,000 people is expected to flock to Wembley to attend an extravagant celebration, billed as the largest in the country. The event tomorrow will include an elaborate parade illustrating the story of Diwali, as well as traditional Indian performances, an exhibition of rangoli artworks and a fireworks and laser show.
Celebrations will begin at 2pm at the Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir temple in Ealing Road.
Mayor of Brent, councillor Harbhajan Singh, said: “Brent Diwali is such a wonderful occasion. It is the highlight of the events calendar for so many people in and around the borough.”
Sunday (October 31) will mark Diwali in the Square, held in Trafalgar Square and organised by the mayor of London in association with the Diwali in London Committee.
Traditional Garba dancing will kickstart the festivities at 2pm, and the event will also feature live music performances as well as displays and food stalls. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Diwali is a wonderful festival and, with its underlying themes of peace, renewal and co-operation, it has relevance and meaning for all Londoners.”
Meanwhile in Birmingham, an estimated 15,000 people are expected to attend the city’s Diwali event on Sunday in the National Indoor Arena. Top Asian urban and classical acts will be playing, including Navin Kundra, Karen David and Sonna. There will also be dance performances from the Maher Raas Group, Sonia Sahbri Company and Bombay Dreams Dance academy. Children are catered for in the ‘Kids Zone’, which features a range of activities including face painting, rangoli-making and games.
Birmingham councillor Martin Mullaney said: “This free celebration for Diwali will be a great opportunity for residents and visitors to the city to get together to share its ‘Big City Culture’ and have fun.”
LONDON
BRENT DIWALI
When & Where? Saturday October 30 @ Ealing Road and Barham Park from 2pm-9pm
What? Traditional Indian performances, a majestic parade, fireworks and a laser show. The event, organised by Brent Council, attracted 60,000 people in 2009, making it the biggest Diwali celebration in the UK.
Information: Visit www.brent.gov.uk/diwali or call 020-8937 3144.
A Triumph of Light: Hariprasad
Chaurasia + Ramayana
When & Where? Wednesday November 3 @ Barbican Hall from 7:30pm
What? A storytelling and music concert, featuring Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Yogesh Samsi, Vayu Naidu, Jyotsna Srikanth and Colin Seddon. Storyteller Naidu’s Ramayana illuminates the significance of Diwali, with Rama and Sita’s epic tale of love, loss and liberation. Percussionist Colin Seddon and south Indian violinist Jyotsna Srikanth provide a hypnotic soundscape.?
Information: Tickets from £12.50 (onwards).
Visit http://www.barbican.org.uk for details.
Crave Diwali Special Showdown: DJ Dips vs DJ Gurps
When & Where? Saturday November 6 @ C2K Lounge from 10:00pm-4:00am
What? Two of the best DJs in the Asian music scene do battle under one roof.
DJ Dips is renowned as being one of the top club DJs in the country and is the man behind the smash hit Gerra De De featuring Kaka Bhaniawala, Lehmber Hussainpuri and Miss Pooja.
DJ Gurps has built a reputation as one of London’s hottest DJs, with his unique mixing styles and his passion to be the best.
Information: www.chillitickets.com
BIRMINGHAM
Diwali event
When & Where? Sunday October 31 @ National Indoor Arena (NIA) from?2pm-9pm
What? The Hindu Council of Birmingham, supported by Birmingham City Council, is hosting this free family event. It will feature a stage area, an exhibition area, arts centre and workshops. The indoor Diwali celebrations will include local community and amateur performers who will perform dances from Bollywood films as well as kathas, garbas, traditional Sanskruti dances, song and plays. There will be professional stage performances, headlined by nationally and internationally renowned Asian artists, and a charity firewalk.
Information: Visit www.hcb.org.uk for details.
LEICESTER
Diwali event
When & Where? Friday November 5 @ Cossington Street Recreation Ground from 6.45pm
What? The entertainment begins with a cultural stage programme and concludes with a spectacular firework display at 8.30pm
Information: Visit www.leicester.gov.uk
Diwali Dinner Dance
When & Where? Tuesday November 9 @ O2 Academy from 7pm ?
What? The National Hindu Student Forum Leicester are holding a dinner-dance event, with festive food and entertainment.
Information: Tickets £20. Visit www.nhsfleicester. co.uk or call 07830 777412 for details.
GLASGOW
Hindu and Sikh festival of light
When & Where? Sunday November 7 @ George Square from 1pm-7pm
What? The Hindu Temple of Scotland will open the celebrations with a traditional south Indian puja (prayer), followed by a speech about the significance of Diwali. The entertainment includes Indian music and dance, an interactive Bollywood dance workshop, and a variety of stalls selling everything from jewellery to food.
Information: www.hungamafestivals.info/diwali
CRY UK DIWALI DINNER AND DANCE
When & Where? Saturday October 30 @ Bar 38, Unit C, West India Quays, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4AX.
What? All proceeds from this dinner dance event will go towards the children’s charity work in India.
Information: www.chillitickets.co.uk
DIWALI ON THE SQUARE
When & Where? Sunday October 31 @ Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
What? Celebrate Diwali with traditional garba dancing, Diwali messages, stage shows, dance groups, dhol groups, devotional songs and special guests.
Information: www.diwaliinlondon.com
THE ANNUAL PRE-DIWALI DRINKS AND NETWORKING
When & Where? Wednesday November 3 @ On Anon, London Pavillion, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1V 9LA.
What? A networking event with icebreaker activities for single Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs and Gujaratis.
Information: yapsclub.
DIWALI MASQUERADE PARTY
When & Where? Saturday November 6 @ Studio and Roof Gardens, Cannon St, Birmingham, B2 5EP.
What? Celebrate Diwali in creative masks with a live performance by Aman Hayer followed by DJs playing a selection of the best tunes.
Information: www.asianatickets.com
DIWALI FIREWORKS SHOW
When & Where? Friday November 5 @ BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, 105-119 Brentfield Road, London, NW10 8LD.
What? A spectacular fireworks show to celebrate Diwali.
Information: www.mandir.org
DIWALI ANNAKUTA
When & Where? Sunday November 7 @ Bhaktivedanta Manor, Dharam Marg, Hilfield lane, Aldenham, WD25 8EZ.
What? A colourful stage show with drama and traditional dance, and a spectacular fireworks display in the evening.
Information: Visit ww.bhaktivedanta manor.co.uk for details.
AAJA NACHLE DIWALI SPECIAL
When & Where? Friday November 12 @ London Darbar, 198 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4LU.
What? Enjoy a three-course dinner, DJ Jas playing a selection of music and beautiful Diwali decorations.
