Christchurch’s North Hagley Park was aglow with vibrant colours, pulsating rhythms, and the warmth of more than 50,000 attendees as the city’s annual Diwali festival set a new benchmark this year.
Despite the chilly weather, the enthusiasm for this festival of lights, held on October 21, was palpable, showcasing the city’s cultural diversity and the spirit of unity.
“This year’s Diwali celebration has surpassed all our expectations,” remarked Monty Parti, President of the Indian Social and Cultural Club (ISCC), the event’s organiser. “The success of the event is a testament to the dedication of our team and the vibrancy of the Christchurch community.”
The event, which commenced at 2 pm, had something for everyone in store with a rich lineup of cultural performances, culinary delights, and dazzling firework displays, creating a memorable experience for the attendees.
Minister of Housing Megan Woods and Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger joined other dignitaries to commence the event with an aarti.
The stage, beautifully designed with animated Indian motifs and the tricolour flag flying high, hosted a series of enchanting performances by artists of all ages, showcasing a blend of Indian classical, cultural, folk, and Bollywood dance styles. The event also celebrated the cultural richness of New Zealand, with performances representing Kiwi, Filipino, Fijian, and Asian communities.
The highlight had to be a mesmerising depiction of the Ramayana, the epic tale of Lord Rama’s triumph over evil. This innovative storytelling, infused with music and dance, captivated the audience and illuminated the significance of Diwali.
A spirited performance by members of the ISCC team brought the story of Lord Rama’s triumph of good over evil to life. “Our President’s passion for the event drives the team to achieve the impossible each year. Bringing Ramleela on stage to share our culture with the younger generations was his idea and was largely applauded,” Anshu Parti said.
The vast expanse of North Hagley Park was transformed into a culinary haven, with over 20 food stalls serving Indian delicacies from various regions. Local restaurants and renowned chefs catered to the cravings of food enthusiasts, with long lines of foodies eager to savour the flavours.
In addition to the Indian cuisine, around ten trade stalls showcased Indian ethnic wear, jewellery, and other merchandise. Meanwhile, food trucks provided an international flavour, with offerings from Korean, Chinese and different global cuisines.
Ridhima Kapoor, visiting with her family, which included her 4-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, expressed her delight, saying, “It’s wonderful to see the wonderful rides for the kids. They’re having such a fantastic time here. I, too, feel like I’ve been transported back to India.”
As the evening drew to a close, the event kicked into high gear with a high-energy, engaging performance. The top-notch production and lighting elevated the look and overall experience.
At 9 p.m., the night sky burst into a breathtaking display of vibrant colours, leaving the audience in awe as a spectacular fireworks show took place.
The grand finale was a high-octane bhangra performance, with the audience joining in the revelry, swaying to the upbeat Punjabi beats.
The ISCC team, led by Monty Parti, Anshu Parti and including Minal, Shubham, Uthara, Devika, Jayat, Hemant Chauhan, Reshma Shetty and Sudhir Joshi, played a pivotal role in making this grand celebration happen.
Team members Krish, Monty, Tanu, Krish, Surya, Jibby, and others took turns emceeing the event, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged throughout.
The event featured a raffle draw with many prizes, including a 5-gram gold coin.
The main sponsors for the event this year were Bikanervala and Jiby Thomas Ray White.