Diwali fest call for interest

Cultural organisations are urged to give their input and send their proposals for the Diwali in Jozi festival, held to celebrate the Hindu holiday later this year.
IN an effort to make Diwali celebrations later this year as inclusive as possible, Indianspice is seeking input, proposals and support from cultural organisations for its festival, Diwali in Jozi.

Diwali in JoziThis year’s Diwali in Jozi will take place in mid-November. Naufal Khan, the public relations officer for the festival, says organisers aim to ensure balanced participation and active inclusion of cultural organisations in the planning and implementation of the programme, which will represent the tapestry of Indian culture and religion.

“The objectives of this call for proposals are to encourage the development of sustainable partnerships and networks among cultural organisations in order to contribute towards an increased involvement of the general public in the cultural field.”

According to Khan, this specific festival strives to improve public access to all types of cultural organisations, enhance the South African Indian identity on the basis of common values, as well as develop intra- and inter-regional cultural initiatives and partnerships.

It also aims to strengthen the networking capacities of cultural organisations and assist with supporting organisations’ activities, strengthen links and dialogue between organisations in Gauteng and other regions of the country, and strengthen relationships with other organisations across the world.

Hindus around the world celebrate Diwali, an annual festival that serves as Hindu new year. It is a time of delicious food, friendship and the triumph of good over evil. Also known as the “festival of lights”, this five-day celebration stands for a reaffirmation of hope and a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill.

In Hinduism, the festival of lights symbolises the homecoming of Rama, the deity, after a 14-year exile in the forest, and his victory over Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons. Rama is welcomed home by his people, who celebrate good overcoming evil.

People light rows of lamps in front of their homes and set off fireworks to light his way. Diwali is also a celebration of the slaying of the demon king, Narakasura, by the deity Lord Krishna. Krishna is often represented as an infant or young boy playing a flute.

It is also known as Dipavali or Deepavali and it is celebrated by the Tamil community, which comes mainly from the south of India, Sri Lanka and Singapore, or whose ancestors came from those parts.

Jainism is an ancient religion of India that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. It is a philosophy and practice of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Diwali marks this liberation.

The public and cultural organisations can submit their proposals and enquiries to Lakshya Malhotra on lakshya@indianspice.co.za or send a fax to 0865 301 787.