Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, November 10, 2023
Hamilton is set for a busy weekend of community events and celebrations for Diwali and the Tamil Society Waikato has planned a celebration sweetest of them all, quite literally, as they plan a food fiesta for around 700 people scheduled to attend the event this Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Claudelands Event Centre from 10.30 am till 2.30 pm.
A ticketed event with prior confirmations required, the event will bring a platter featuring 21 diverse dishes, crafted with precision by experienced chefs and dedicated volunteers who will tirelessly work for more than two months.
A huge team of volunteers has worked tirelessly through the week to make the event come to life and they are all excited to celebrate the Deepavali Festival immersed in the richness of Tamil culture.
More About the Event
Set as a sit-down event, three separate sessions will ensure enough availability and convenience for all visitors, while authentic food and traditional cuisine will make it a memorable affair to remember.
Ensuring all dietary requirements are taken care of, the menu has an impressive lineup of seafood, vegetarian and Non-vegetarian items. Some of the rare and traditional ingredients were sourced with great effort so that the flavours were as authentic as possible.
The feast will be accompanied by some cultural performances, including an enchanted performance with the traditional instrument of Parai, which is unique to the region of Tamil Nadu. Local histories describe the Parai as an ancient instrument performed in the courts of Sangam, Chola, and Pandiyan rulers. The drums were used to announce important messages and orders of the great Tamil Kings.
Children from the Tamil School will also be performing at the event, showcasing their talents. From preschoolers to Seniors of the Community, the event will have a true cultural village feel.
A 360-degree Photo Booth will be a fun addition for everyone to capture the celebrations.
Srinivasan Jaganathan, President of the Tamil Society Waikato said, “It is all about the people connect, and we are so pleased by the positive response to our event over the years. Being Diwali day, it will be a perfect opportunity for our new immigrants, families that have moved to Hamilton recently, our students and youngsters to come together and celebrate as a big Tamil family.”
Kari Virunthu
The organisers said, “Kari Virunthu, a traditional Tamil cultural festival rooted mainly in Tamil Nadu, symbolises the cherished value of Virunthombal (hospitality and welcoming everyone with kindness), which equates to Manaakitanga in Māori, emphasising the significance of hospitality. This celebration draws villagers together in a grand festival extravaganza.”
Kari Virunthu beautifully exemplifies the three core pillars of Tamil culture, which are Cuisine encompassing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, hospitality, and its profound cultural heritage. At its heart lies the centrepiece of this festivity, a plentiful array of dishes meticulously prepared and elegantly served on banana leaves.
Hamilton Diwali
Mr Jaganathan said, “We always aim to plan something different and since food is intrinsic to all our celebrations, we thought a traditional feast would be a perfect way to celebrate Diwali this year.”
“Diwali is a time for celebration and the members of the community coming forward and working to create the elaborate cookout for all visitors is a testament to how Hamilton is a city with a heart. We all call Hamilton home and this event will be a highlight for all the families, who have helped out and those that will attend and experience the warm hospitality. Everyone is welcome to join us.”
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
