With Diwali just around the corner, festivities and celebrations are all set to only get bigger and better. Manchester’s recent Diwali Mela, which took place at the picturesque Platt Fields Park, offered an early gateway into some festive family fun, with fantastic music, energetic dances, and an open dance floor with live DJ!
Co-organised by Sharmistha Bhattacharya and Bhavani Panchagnula, in association with the Indian Association of Manchester and Sharmistha’s Dance Class, the diaspora led event featured talented local artists who put up stunning displays of musical performances as well as Indian dance performances ranging from traditional dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Marathi folk dances to contemporary Bollywood dance.
“We both strongly felt the need to bring our council community together and to support small businesses,” Panchagnula told iGlobal.
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“There are several private parties held this time of this year, but not everyone can afford the tickets to these. We couldn’t be more grateful when the council and Indian Association Manchester has supported us when we explained what we hoped to do. Although the initial date was November the 4th, as it was the bonfire night. It has been pulled to October the 28th leaving us just two weeks to organise everything. We are very pleased with the results and the support we received from all over Manchester,” Panchagnula added.
The day-long event at the heart of the city also invited several local diaspora entrepreneurs to set up their stalls and offered festive goodies like home decorations, shagun gifts, Diwali gift hampers for friends and family, jewellery and traditional Indian clothing.
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With diya and rangoli making workshops for the younger members of the diaspora, conducted by Namratta Bedi in collaboration with Apry décor, henna artists on hand for those who wanted to get into the festive spirit with the traditional temporary body art, food stalls with a variety of chaat (snacks) items and, to add some more glitter to the event, the event offered something for everyone.