Art Center Celebrates Diwali Festival In Authentic Fashion

PELHAM, NY — The Pelham Art Center is offering a unique way to celebrate, experience or just learn about the festival of light close to home.

Diwali is a major festival for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains celebrating light as a metaphor for knowledge, health, wealth and peace. Organizers say all, young and old, experienced and new to the celebration, are welcome to take part in the folk art festivities at the Pelham Art Center on Saturday.

The celebrations will start with traditional dance performances followed by a guided art project. Participants will even be able to get temporary henna tattoos.

Nalini Rau will share the story and significance of Diwali, as well as the storytelling techniques and hand gestures of the dance style. Dancers Sia and Varsha will perform a brief sloka (Sanskrit song). Sanjana Karthik will then perform a tandava (divine dance) of Shiva-Shakti, followed by a piece on Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, performed by Nista Nandakumar.

The performances will culminate with Rau’s final piece centering on the Devi, or Mother Goddess.

Attendees will then have an opportunity to participate in a Diwali art-making workshop led by artist Sonika Gupta. Participants will paint and decorate their own diya to hold a tea candle representing your sakshi — the divine inner light at the heart of the celebration.

Organizers say the Pelham Diwali celebration is intended to bring family and the wider community together with a promise of hope and joy. All in all, not a bad way to spend an autumn afternoon

The free folk art event will take place November 6, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. outdoors at the Pelham Art Center courtyard.