Auckland’s Diwali Festival – the biggest Indian cultural event in New Zealand –lived up to its reputation of bringing people in record numbers, despite being held on the long weekend.
If there was any concern that the labour weekend last week could possibly affect the attendance and the enthusiasm at the Auckland’s Diwali Festival then it was easily dispelled as the festival lived up to its expectations of bringing Indians and Kiwis in record numbers to immerse in the Indian culture.
The two-day event held on Saturday-Sunday (October 20-21), recreated the experience of festival being held in any Indian city, characterised by a sense of collective frenzy easily visible on the overcrowded street, long queues at food-stalls, eating and socialising in big family and social groups – a sight so foreign to Kiwi or any western society.
This is perhaps one sight which Kiwis so magnanimously allow to be recreated in the very heart of the biggest city of New Zealand for at least a weekend, giving them a glimpse of how festivals are celebrated in Indian (and Asian) cities.
The city of sails has been bathed in sunshine, bright colours, cultural performances and a display of art and craft at the 17th edition of Diwali Festival.
Not only the weather was gorgeous, but also a high-profile attendance by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff, senior ministers in Government, the High Commissioner of India and the Leader of Opposition Simon Bridges, who has under-fire for being caught up in a conversation belittling Indian community’s contribution to New Zealand had spiced up the official opening ceremony of the iconic Auckland Diwali Festival.
However, the star-studded official ceremony was not the only attraction of the two-day festival, which had a lot to offer to its loyal and new revellers.
The festival has been conceived and co-founded by Asia New Zealand Foundation about seventeen years ago along with ATEED (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development) and has been returning every year with something new to keep festival-goers excited and committed to the festival.
One of the major notable changes from the past was the conception of a third-stage on Queen Street apart from the normal main stage at the Aotea Square and a street-stage on Queen Street, which made a noticeable impact on the experience of attendees.
Not only performers got an additional and different stage to display their cultural performances, but the festival goers, particularly those who were less keen to take the plunge in the overcrowded space around the other two stages enjoyed the new stage, watching performances in a slightly relaxed manner – probably more akin to Kiwi-style.
There was also a new layout of stalls, planned by organisers, which enhanced the overall experience of festival-goers, creating more free space for everyone to enjoy.
Energetic performances by an international troupe
This year the festival got international stars from the Indian state of Punjab who presented different forms of Bhangra dance and folk music.
Kalaheri dance troupe of Punjab, enthralled audience, with a colourful and energetic performance.
Kerala drumming Chenda Melam takes to a bigger stage
Chenda Melam - the most popular form of drumming in Kerala – which has been slowly getting attention within the local community-event circuit in the City of Sails, gained new ascendency when performed for the first time in the Auckland Diwali Festival.
Chenda Melam has been used as a percussion instrument for almost all Kerala art forms like Kathakali, Kodiyattam for some 300 years.
A group of local enthusiasts has been actively performing Chenda Mellam in Malayali Samajam events and beyond, gaining appreciation from one and all.
Taking the renowned cultural performance, hitherto unseen in New Zealand’s cultural scene, on Indian community’s biggest cultural festival expectedly had given the art-form a wider audience.
The Indian Weekender Mr & Ms Diwali gets bigger and better
The highly anticipated Indian Weekender’s Mr and Ms Diwali - a cultural pageant show - returned with an exuberant display of talents and glamour.
The show was bigger this time with more contestants, better prizes and bigger audience.
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