This year the Waitakere Diwali Festival will be celebrated over two days, providing entertainment, food and cultural exchange for the people of Waitakere and the greater Auckland region.
From its humble beginnings in 2000, this festival has grown to be one of the largest community events in Waitakere, attracting over 20,000 people.
The celebrations will begin with a Grand Dandiya Night on September 24 at 6 pm at the Trusts Stadium in Henderson.
Dandiya is a mesmerising poetry of human movements in tune with captivating rhythmic beats, intermittent jingling sound of bells, clattering of sticks, and electrifying flow of colours and light.
Organiser DJ Gabroo hopes to get everyone dance to the beat of the dhol, with a free, on-the-spot lesson for first timers.
The Diwali Festival will begin at 11 am on September 25 with a ‘Blessing‘ by the members of the the Arya Samaj Pritnidhi Sabha NZ Inc. The day-long festivities will conclude with a huge fireworks display at 1030 pm.
While Diwali is a Hindu festival in most parts of the world, it has acquired a larger dimension in Waitakere, with members of all ethnic groups to join in the celebrations that is replete with colours, fun, entertainment and food.
The day offers variety entertainment including Bollywood dances, dance competition for schools, cultural performances and drama in the main grandstand. The feature act for the celebrations will no doubt be Ram Leela, a dance drama, performed by the children of Waitakere Hindi Language & Cultural School, bringing to the fore the great epic of Ramayan.
Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase a variety of items from about 40 Indian merchandise stalls inside the Stadium. A number of food stalls will make available an extensive Indian cuisine at reasonable prices.
A spectacular indoor laser show will be among the highlights this year.
Waitakere Indian Association, which is organising the Festival, will also conduct a Community Health and Wellbeing Workshop at the venue, with the help of health professionals, the Fire Department and New Zealand Police.
The Organising Committee comprises members of the Waitakere Indian Association, Waitakere Hindi School, Westside Soccer & Youth Group and others.
Entry to the festival is absolutely free.
Those keen on participating in the Festival with their stalls or performances should fill in the application forms downloaded from our website (www.wia.net.nz) or contact me on 021-564757. Email: manojtahal@xtra.co.nz
The last date for receipt of applications is September 15, 2011.
Manoj Tahal is Diwali Project Manager of the Waitakere Indian Association and its Immediate Past President.
