Auckland Is Coming Alive with The Diwali Festival of Lights.

Diwali symbolises the victory of righteousness, the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life.

In New Zealand there is a rich Indian culture, so it’s only appropriate that we celebrate with the Diwali Festival of Lights 2010!

Everyone can come along to experience the lively colours and rich Indian culture and celebrations on October 30 – 31st, at the Aotea Square and Aotea Centre – The Edge in Auckland.

The free festival will be full of colour, traditional music and dance and there will be plenty of yummy Indian food to try – all your favourites and some new specialities to try.

Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the New Year. It is a time for celebration in India. Families light candles and oil lamps called diyas and set off fireworks.

The Diwali Festival of Lights 2010 celebrates not only the traditions of Diwali but Indian culture as a whole.  This is the ninth year the festival has been held in Auckland, a similar festival will also be held in Wellington.

Highlights of the festival include international performers:

The Rajasthani music and dance group: Dance and music in India’s desert state of Rajasthan have been passed down over generations by tribal castes like the Langas and the Manganiyar. Both castes are converts to Islam, but many of their songs are in praise of Hindu deities and celebrate Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi. The Rajasthani group will perform at all festivals as well as at a Garba night hosted by the Wellington Indian Association on 23 October.

Master magician Uday Jadugar: Disappearing cards, exploding flowers and bottomless glasses are all bread and butter to Uday, one of India’s most famous magicians and a highlight of Diwali 2010. Leaving home at age 18 to work as an apprentice to a foreign magician, Uday has built up an impressive CV of 30 years of stage performances and runs a magic tricks company working with magicians worldwide. In addition to his free performances at Diwali, Uday Jadugar will have two longer shows at The Edge in Auckland.

Their will also be a Bollywood dance competition before the festival grand finale ends with a fireworks display on the Sunday.

Diwali is organised by Auckland City Council in conjunction with Asia NZ.

There will also be several events held in Wellington to celebrate Diwali.

These include:

• Diwali Mela 24 October 2010, 1.00pm to10.00pm at TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf (free).
• Diwali Garba (interactive dance night): 23 October 2010, 8.00pm, tickets at the door $5 (free for children under 12 years).
• Bollywood dance competitions: 24 October 2010, 8.00pm (free).
• Bindi exhibition Pataka Museum, Porirua, 21 October to 14 November 2010. Visit the Bottle Creek gallery to learn about the meaning and history of bindi, its social and religious significance for ceremonies and festivals, and its many incarnations as a fashion accessory.
• India Illuminated, Wellington, 21 to 24 October 2010. Designer and photographer Meena Kadri has come up with an original idea to showcase images of India in a Wellington CBD shop window.  Calling it a positive urban disruption, Meena plans to project 99 images over 4 nights in a shop next to Wakefield Hotel and an Indian dairy, on Cuba St.