Asia:NZ Events
Diwali Festival of Lights
A celebration of Indian culture
Background to Diwali
Background to Bollywood
Festival Update
Contact details
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A celebration of Indian culture Asia:NZ will once again be holding the Diwali Festival, India's Festival of Lights, in Wellington on Sunday 23 October and in Auckland on Sunday 30 October. For the fourth year running, Wellingtonians and Aucklanders will have a chance to experience a traditional Indian festival right here in New Zealand with scrumptious food, non-stop free family entertainment, Bollywood dancing, traditional crafts and much more. The Diwali Festival of Lights is produced by Asia:NZ in partnership with the Wellington City Council in Wellington and the Auckland City in Auckland. Highlights from last year's festival held in Wellington and Auckland (select a photo for a closer view): |
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Photo credits:
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Diwali, also know as Deepavali (literally a "row of lamps"), is perhaps the most important and ancient of the Indian festivals. It is celebrated throughout India as well as in Indian communities around the world. It is colloquially known as "The Festival of Lights" - the time when families light small oil lamps (known as diyas) and candles around the home and set off firecrackers and fireworks. The Asia:NZ Diwali Festival of Lights gives Wellington and Auckland Indian communities the opportunity to share this much-loved cultural tradition with other New Zealanders and their families. This event not only celebrates the traditions of Diwali, but is also a celebration of Indian culture Traditionally Diwali is celebrated for fire days, each day having its own significance, rituals and myths. Diwali takes place at the new moon, on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik or Karthika (October/November). This is at the beginning of the winter season and is called the "darkest night of the year", so lamps are lit to brighten this moonless night. Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali has now crossed the bounds of religion and signifies many different things in different areas of India. For example, in Gujarat, the original home of many Indian New Zealanders, the festival honours Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. In north India, it celebrates the god Rama's homecoming to the kingdom of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. To light his way and rejoice at his return, the people of Ayodhya illuminate the kingdom with earthen diyas and fireworks. |
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Since the 1950s, the Bollywood film industry on Bombay (Mumbai) has mushroomed into a global phenomenon, producing over 800 films a year and rivalling Hollywood in output and scale. These films, many glorifying the ideas of love and romance, feature lightly choreographed fantasy song and dance sequences which provide the vehicle for the dashing hero and beautiful heroine to declare their love without fear of family disapproval or breaking social taboos. Bollywood dance, currently the rage in England as well as India, is an exhilarating blend of east and west dance styles that takes in elements of jazz, hip-hop, ballet and classical Indian dance. It's fun and accessible for all ages. Again Bollywood will be featured in both Wellington and Auckland. |
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Schools Programme Watch this space for more information. |
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For more information please contact: Asia:NZ Auckland City Wellington City Council |
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