Diwali Festival lights up Auckland and Wellington creating new bonds
Venkat Raman –
When Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), a Council-Controlled Organisation of Auckland Council announced a couple of months ago that ‘Diwali 2015’ would be held on October 17 (Saturday) and October 18 (Sunday), 2015, objections were raised buy a few community leaders.
The dates controversy
Among them were a few religious and community organisations whose chief objection was that the dates coincided with Navratri celebrations and that Diwali always followed these Nine Nights of festivities by women. ‘Navratri’ is also a time when a large number of Hindu women abstain from food (and perhaps even water) for the betterment of their spouses.
It was therefore considered inappropriate for Hindus to participate in Diwali on days that were distinctly premature.
Domino Effect
ATEED was unable to obtain alternate dates for the venue (Aotea Square in Central Business District of Auckland), artistes and performers from India had already booked with their travel plans finalised and a number of stakeholders had planned their activities based on the October dates for Diwali. A postponement would have had a domino effect, benefiting none in the process. The festival itself faced the threat of being cancelled.
That would have been, in hindsight, unwise.
However, better sense prevailed as ATEED put together a Consultative Committee (which apparently includes a few opponents), promising to consult its members before deciding on the dates of the event in Auckland henceforth. The Indian community proved its genuineness and sense of purpose, accepted the apology proffered by the organisers and agreed to cooperate. Their assurance of cooperation was encouraging and strengthened the bond with the organisers.
Key People
The result was telling and stunning. ‘Diwali 2015’ held at Aotea Square on October 17 and 18, 2015 was smoothness itself, with the Weather Gods smiling upon Aucklanders. As the mild winds blew along the precincts, Prime Minister John Key, Opposition Leader Andrew Little, Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Asia New Zealand Foundation, Indian High Commission chargé d’ affaires Sandeep Sood and Executive Director Simon Draper were among the dignitaries who participated in the ceremony.
Their speeches echoed the strengthening ties between India and New Zealand including the growing trade and tourist traffic.
Mr Key said that he was looking forward to his second visit to India next year, while Mr Draper said that Indians accounted for the largest numbers in new arrivals.
Promoting Indian Culture
Mr Draper said that the Asia New Zealand Foundation first held the Diwali Festival in 2002 to raise public awareness of traditional Indian culture, and acknowledge the contribution made by the country’s Indian communities during their long history in New Zealand.
“In the first year, about 70,000 people attended the Diwali celebrations in Auckland and Wellington. Last year, more than 150,000 visited the festivals. This year is the 14th year that the Diwali Festival of Lights has been held in Wellington and Auckland,” he said.
Festival highlights
Among the highlights of the two-day events in Auckland and Wellington were the performances of Master Puppeteer Mahipat Kavi and ‘Mudra Creation,’ folk-dance group from India.
Mahipat Kavi
Puppeteering is stated to be a ‘dying art’ because of shrinking patronage around the world. However, it continues to thrive in India, albeit in selected quarters. The federal government-owned Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has been actively promoting talented artistes and showcasing them not only in India but across the world.
Among them is Mahipat Kavi, who has been at it for more than 50 years, animating India’s favourite stories, entertaining and educating tens of thousands of people.
Establishing ‘Puppets and Plays,’ a theatre company in Ahmedabad in 1975, he has produced puppet plays, puppet serials for television and educational puppet films on social issues such as family planning and the environment.
“Fantasy is the element that distinguishes the two of them. Puppet drama must have fantasy as the basic aspect. No human drama can be directly played through puppets, and if played, it will not be interesting. This is because puppets are different from human beings. So, a script has to be puppetised, just as a story is dramatised,” he said in a recent article.
His puppet performances include stories from ‘Panchatantra,’ ancient Indian animal stories and recreating a traditional folk-dance from Gujarat.
Mudra Creation
Ten dancers from Mudra Creation, a dance company specialising in the folk dances of Maharashtra performed at the Auckland and Wellington events.
The group is best known for ‘Lavani,’ a combination of traditional song and dance, performed to the beat of the ‘Dholak,’ a two-headed hand drum.
Lavani is a bright, colourful and energetic dance form that draws its inspiration from topics as varied as society, religion, politics, and romance. The songs in Lavani feature teasing lyrics and socio-political satire.
Based in Mumbai, Mudra Creation is committed to promoting traditional Indian dance forms not only in major cities but also in remote areas. It has popularised traditional dance and has incorporated regional variations in their repertoire.
(Pictures by Hemant Parikh)
From our Archives
Indian Newslink November 2002
Diwali spectacle spreads social ethos
Staff Reporter
Wellingtonians and Aucklanders had a rare insight into the one of the most colourful aspects of the Indian society as the ‘festival of lights’ lit up the stage and the horizon in the two cities last month.
Although the festivities in the two major centres were held prior to the actual Diwali Day (which was marked on November 4), they helped to showcase the ethos of a community, bringing with them the main objective of spreading understanding and goodwill.
Spreading Culture
Organised by Asia 2000 Foundation in association with the Wellington City Council and Auckland City Council in the respective cities, the events added colour to the functions that are normally confined to the community, bringing to the fore the highlights of a widely spoken culture.
In Wellington, more than 30,000 people enjoyed the sights, sounds, tastes and atmosphere of the Indian tradition on October 19, taking in the lights, fireworks and decorations in the Town Hall and the Civic Square. A week later (October 26), the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Central Auckland was the venue of similar gaiety. Among the highlights of the day-long festivities in both cities were a fashion show featuring Indian wedding fashions, a Hindi films dance competition, a Rangoli artist who worked alongside contestants of the art, a puppet troupe and folk dancers from India.
Better Understanding
In Auckland, Governor General Silvia Cartwright said such events helped to foster better understanding between various communities.
“The Indian community in New Zealand has always celebrated Diwali but it is not a festival that has been well known outside that community. Today, families throughout Auckland have been invited to share in the celebration of Diwali and learn about its meaning. And with learning comes understanding, tolerance and cooperation between cultures.
“May the Diwali Festival of Lights mark the beginning of a successful and prosperous year for all who celebrate this occasion. May it also mark the beginning of greater understanding between the many cultures that make up the city of Auckland,” she said, inaugurating the festival at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.
Leading Speakers
Among the other speakers on the occasion were Auckland City Mayor John Banks, Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter (who read out a message from Prime Minister Helen Clark), National MP Dr Paul Hutchinson (who read out a message from opposition leader Bill English), Auckland Indian Association President Parshotam Govind, Indian High Commissioner Bal Anand, Asia 2000 Foundation Ombudsman and Deputy Chair Judge Anand Satyanand and Asia 2000 Executive Director Christopher Butler.\
Contests & Winners
There were prizes too. In the capital, the Wellington Indian Association Hutt Subcommittee was the winner of a trip for two to Singapore, while the Rangeela Group topped in the Hindi films dance competition. Other winners were the Kandianz group and the Shakti group. Latika Billimoria was declared winner in the Rangoli contest, followed by Reena Naresh, Srishti Narayan and Jayu.
In Auckland, winners of the Rangoli on-the-spot competition were Smita Upadhye and Shradda Apte for their design depicting Prime Minister Helen Clark, while other winners included Alamelu Seetharam and Gayatri, Jayshree Somnath, Mahesh Ladwa, Manisha Morar, Rachna Patel, Chandani and Nikhil Magan, Ketan Morar and Bavisha Patel. In the Hindi films dance competition, the joint winners of the first prize were Swapna Joshi, Grilasha George and Monisha Kumar. The best-dressed stall competition was won by Rangoli Designs.
“It is great that so many people turned up to enjoy this traditional and important Indian celebration. Everyone we spoke to enjoyed themselves. We are proud to be involved with an event that shares Indian culture with the wider community,” Asia 2000 cultural programme manager Jennifer King said.
