Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major cultural event for Australia’s Indian diaspora. Derived from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning ‘row of lights’, Diwali is an annual festival celebrated by the Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness.
Powerhouse Castle Hill will showcase the best of Indian dance forms with local performance groups taking to the stage. Ruchi Sanghi Dance Company will start the celebrations with a Kathak performance, telling the stories of Hindu epics through song and dance. Family-owned dance studio Nisha Mannath & Team will follow with Indian folk dances, before Kalankan Dance Academy and Thrayee showcases three Indian classical dances; Mohiniyattam, Kathak and Bharatnatyam. Bollywood performances by Groove Dance Academy and Bhangra dances from Raunakaan Bhangra Group will light up the venue in the afternoon.
In a new addition to this year’s program, Powerhouse Collection staff will host tours that highlight objects in the collection related to light. Visitors will explore the concept of light across history and culture with collection objects spanning from an oil lamp from Ancient Pompei to an anatomical model illustrating how the human eye comes to see light.
Celebrated children’s author Sheena Garg will read a selection of children’s stories, including her latest book on Diwali and rangoli art, followed by a hands-on workshop crafting rangoli artworks and paper diya resembling small, cup-shaped oil lamps.
Indian street food restaurant Chatkazz will serve a range of traditional Indian sweets and savouries onsite.