Diwali brings community together

The lead up to Christchurch’s Diwali (festival of light) celebrations has turned one group of young girls into ambassadors for Indian culture says one of the festival organisers Paviter Kumar Noori.

Paviter’s daughter Aileen Noori, aged six, has been busy practising with the Junior Gidha Group for the Singapore Airlines Christchurch Diwali at Horncastle Arena on Saturday 25 October. They will give a special preview of their performance at CPIT’s Diwali celebration, 12 noon on Thursday 23 October in the Rakaia Centre.

“None of them had danced before,” Noori says. “Now they are exploring Indian language, dance and music and having a lot of fun. My daughter has been boasting about her dance group at school. They have really taken ownership of the culture so in this way Diwali has been very successful for them, as it has been for all the groups that perform at the event.”

Gidha is a women’s folk dance from the Punjab region that is performed at festive occasions and is now popular around India.

Along with providing a practical and fun way into Indian culture, the children’s dance troupe has brought families together, including newer arrivals from India, and helped to create new friendships. Swati Malik, whose family migrated to Christchurch last year, has been instructing the group.

The connection with culture has had a big impact on the children involved. “Aileen’s teacher asked what we had done with her because her confidence has developed so much.”

Noori is Vice President of the Indian Social and Cultural Club, which organises Diwali celebrations in Christchurch.

The pint-sized Junior Gidha Group, with their glittering costumes sourced from India, will no doubt be a highlight on an impressive programme of traditional and contemporary performances of music and dance from around India. Arts and craft, food stalls, indoor pyrotechnics and fun activities such as trying on saris and turbans make Diwali a great family event and an opportunity for all Christchurch residents to celebrate Indian culture and the traditional festival of lights.

Singapore Airlines Christchurch Diwali is at Horncastle Arena on Saturday 25 October from 3 – 9pm. Entry is $5 on the door (free for under-fives). See www.diwalifestival.co.nz

ends

© Scoop Media