Editor’s note: This press release and the photos were provided by the Pelham Art Center. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

Diwali 2022 – Pelham Art Center brought together 234 people to celebrate!

On Sunday, October 23rd, Pelham Art Center celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with a wonderful program full of the arts. The Art Center brought Diwali traditions and Indian culture to the community with a mesmerizing Indian classical music performance by Satyaki Dutta (sarod player) and Vikas Yendluri (tabla player), as well as an Indian classical dance (Kathak) performance by Sanika Phanse and another Indian classical dance (Bharata Natyam) performance by Dr. Nalini Rau and her students. Kids had a fun time painting their own “diyas,” or clay lamps, to be lit up, while people also enjoyed taking photos with traditional Indian “chunnis,” or scarves, against a festive backdrop. This rich cultural celebration signifying light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and health, wealth and peace for all is a long standing tradition at Pelham Art Center.

Diwali serves to bring family and community together with its promise of hope and joy. Over 200 people came together to celebrate at Pelham Art Center. For over 15 years Pelham Art Center has celebrated Diwali, only taking a break in 2020.

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 were  welcomed to take part in the folk art festivities, which included a classical music performance (sarod and tabla), classical dance performances (Kathak and Bharata Natyam) with an interactive component, and a hands-on art project to paint your own diya (mini clay pot) representing sakshi, the divine inner light.

This celebration happened in the gallery at Pelham Art Center with the current Exhibition Ultralight Beam, on view through Sunday, October 30th.

Pelham Art Center will also be celebrating the Mexican Tradition of Day of the Dead this coming Saturday, October 29 from 12-2pm.

Find out more about all the upcoming events, classes and workshops on the Pelham Art Center website.