Flushing Town Hall celebrated its eighth annual Diwali Festival on Saturday, Nov. 5, with a rangoli art competition and display, a dance party and performances and delicious Indian cuisine.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a day of solidarity, where the soft light of diyas — or oil wick candles — illuminate streets and homes, banishing the darkness of ignorance and suffering. It began as a part of an ancient harvest festival, which celebrated the fertility of the earth and prosperity of the new harvest.
Though Diwali has taken on a significant meaning in Hinduism, in India it is celebrated by all groups regardless of religious affiliation as a time of renewal and growth.
The festival included traditional rangoli design with artist Anju Gupta, a cooking demonstration with by Queens Curry Kitchen with Chef Nupur Arora, henna design by Bella Herbal Beauty and ayurvedic treatments with Shweta Parmar. Abha Roy, a master teaching artist and artistic director of the Srijan Dance Company, shared the stage with IMGE: Ishita Mili Global Exposé for a performance rooted in Indian classical, hip-hop and contemporary dance.
The program was sponsored by the Guru Krupa Foundation.
