Diwali Folk Art Celebration

Diwali serves to bring family and community together with its promise of hope and joy. Come experience the delight of Diwali November 6th at Pelham Art Center. This free event will take place outside in the Pelham Art Center courtyard 1:00 to 2:00pm.

Diwali is a major festival for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, who believe that light is a metaphor for knowledge and signifies health, wealth and peace. All ages are welcome to take part in the folk art festivities, starting with traditional dance performances followed by a guided art project and temporary henna tattoos.

Pelham Art Center welcomes Dr. Nalini Rau to 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 performed by Nista Nandakumar. The performances culminate with Dr. Rau’s final piece on the Devi. Guests are then invited to participate in a hands-on Diwali artmaking workshop led by teaching artist Sonika Gupta. Paint and decorate your own diya to hold a tea candle representing your own sakshi, the divine inner light.