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

PELHAM, NY—Pelham Art Center will host a celebration of Diwali on Sunday, November 10 from 1-3pm. This afternoon highlighting Diwali traditions and Indian culture is free, open to the public, and geared towards all ages—adults and children alike.

Diwali unites family and community with its promise of hope and joy. It 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. Diwali is celebrated as the “Festival of Lights,” in which participants light diyas—small oil lamps made from clay with a cotton wick dipped in oil—to signify the victory of good over evil within an individual, and uplifting of spiritual darkness. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every region of India celebrates it in its own unique way. The five day Diwali festival, based on the lunar calendar, usually occurs in October or November.

This rich cultural celebration, which also signifies light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance for all is a long-standing tradition at Pelham Art Center, where it has been celebrated for the last 15+ years.

Pelham Art Center’s Diwali lineup of performances and activities is as follows:

1:15-1:45: Bharata Natyam, Indian classical dance form including storytelling performed by Nalini Rau, Director of Natya Anubhava Academy of Dance

1:50-2:10: Bollywood Performance by Pelham resident Heena Jain and her students

2:15-2:30: Vocal Performance, Nostalgic Indian melodies by Bhavna Goyal

2:30-3:00 Bandhanwar Art Workshop, Participants will create a traditional Indian bunting for a doorway with artist Priya Nag