Counting down to Diwali 2011

6 October 2011

• Auckland Diwali Festival of Lights: from midday on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 at Aotea Square and Aotea Centre.
• Diwali school holiday programme: 12-2pm, Monday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 11 at the Air New Zealand Foyer, Level 5, Aotea Centre, The Edge.

Families are in for a treat at next weekend’s Diwali Festival of Lights in Auckland, with giant shadow puppets and a spectacular sand sculpture among the many attractions.

Organised by the Asia New Zealand Foundation (Asia:NZ) in partnership with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd and community groups, the 10th Diwali celebrations promise to be more spectacular than ever, as they coincide with the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Diwali Festival of Lights will take place from midday on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 at Aotea Square and Aotea Centre. The family-friendly celebrations are free to attend. Highlights include delicious vegetarian food stalls, non-stop performances by both local and international artists, and the hotly contested Bollywood Dance Competition.

This year’s international artists include visiting sand sculptor Ranjan Kumar Ganguly, who will build a large sculpture at Aotea Square. The Indian Puppeteers company will use giant shadow puppets to tell much-loved Indian stories, while Manipuri dancers from the JN Manipur Dance Academy will delight with their intricate and colourful costumes.

Asia:NZ has also organised a separate programme of performances and activities to help keep the kids entertained during the school holidays. The programme – aimed at children aged four to 16 - includes henna drawing, sari tying, and mask painting workshops, as well as performances by the Manipuri dancers and the Indian Puppeteers.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a traditional family celebration that involves the lighting of small oil-filled lamps and candles to signify the triumph of good over evil. Originally a Hindu festival, it now signifies different things throughout India. New Zealand’s festivals not only celebrate the traditions of Diwali but give Indian communities the opportunity to share their cultures.

The visiting artists will be available for interview at certain times. Asia:NZ can also provide pictures of the performers and high-resolution images from previous years. For more information, contact:

John Saunders,
Director, Communications
Telephone: 64 4 470 8706
Mobile: 021 631 663
Email: johnsaunders@vodafone.net.nz
Or
Rebecca Palmer
Media Adviser
Telephone: 64 4 470 8701
Mobile: 027 226 8707
Email: rpalmer@asianz.org.nz

The Visiting Artists

Manipuri Dancers

Manipuri dance is one of India’s six main classical dance styles and originates from India’s north eastern state of Manipur. The unusual cylindrical skirts worn by female Manipuri dancers are said to be modelled on one seen in a dream by a Maharaja who lived more than 200 years ago. Their colourful costumes also feature mirrors and zari embroidery intricately woven into beautiful designs.
Manipuri dance is devotional in nature and is known for its rounded movements, delicacy and grace. Instruments, including cymbals and drums, are a key element.

The JN Manipur Dance Academy has been brought to New Zealand with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the High Commission for India.

Indian Puppeteers

The award-winning Indian Puppeteers company has performed in many international puppet festivals and on television in India. They use puppets made from parchment leather and up to two metres high.
Their performances will bring to life some of the best-loved stories known to Indian children, based on the ancient epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha. They include the tale of the brave monkey king, Hanuman, who leads an army of monkeys to rescue Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, from the clutches of the ten-headed demon king Lord Ravana.

The Indian Puppeteers have been brought to New Zealand with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the High Commission for India.

Sand artist Ranjan Kumar Ganguly

Ranjan was born in the coastal town of Jagannath Puri, in the state of Orissa. As a child, he would wander down to the beach with his friends and use his imagination to carve out the images of Indian gods and goddesses in the sand.

Sand sculpture was not a well known art in India at the time, but by the time he reached adulthood Ranjan had become very expert. Determined to make his name, he started exhibiting his skills around India. He now describes himself as a National Sand Artist and has exhibited internationally.

Sand sculptor Ranjan Kumar Ganguly has been brought to New Zealand with the support of Cathay Pacific.