For three days, in the heart of Halifax, chefs will dish up sweet and savoury Indian cuisine, musicians and dancers will donate 19 hours of live performances, and volunteer vendors will bring a show bursting with original art, handmade crafts, henna designs, beautiful clothing and, of course, an array of originally decorated, oil lamps. This is Diwali Carnival - Festival of Lights, as celebrated and organized by the non-profit, Indian Festivals Club of Nova Scotia (IFCNS). This year it will be at the Halifax Forum on Windsor Street, October 18, 19 and 20.
Observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists for more than 2,500 years, inside and outside India, Diwali marks the beginning of a new year. The exact day changes with the lunar calendar. The date of Diwali this year is October 26.
Diwali is the festival of lights, says IFCNS co-founder and director, Nikunj Kachhadiya
Kachhadiya explains that the story behind the holiday is different depending on where you visit in India, but the common theme is the celebration of light. In India, people light their homes – often with traditional oil lamps - and businesses gear up for shoppers looking for new clothes, jewellery and lamps in the weeks leading up to Diwali. Gift giving is part of the tradition.
Kachhadiya estimates eight to ten food vendors will be serving up traditional Indian food at the festival.
“There are more food items this year,” notes Kachhadiya, “we have talented cooking artists and chefs; we are giving them a chance this year.” Each food vendor will have a volunteer dedicated to answering questions about the history, ingredients, cooking methods, even how to eat it specialties.
Musicians and dancers of all ages will light up the stage for 19 hours over the three-day event. During that time up to 60 performance groups will bring and share their talents at the Diwali Festival.
Meanwhile, a group of artists will focus on the creation of one large Rangoli during the festival. Last year’s Rangoli measured 15’ x 15’. A traditional art form, the design always starts from the centre, favouring intricacy and symmetry. Using the floor as the canvas, artists use brightly coloured, typically organic, materials including dried rice, sand or flower petals. Kachhadiya notes the design of the Rangoli “is inspired by art in ancient Indian times, from thousands of years ago.”
At the 2018 Diwali Festival in Halifax, a group of artists took a full 8 or more hours to complete a Rangoli, according to Kachhadiya, making it the biggest Rangoli ever produced in Nova Scotia. This year, a group will begin again. A treat to see.
The Indian Festival Club of Nova Scotia (IFCNS) produces up to 15 festivals per year. Everyone is a volunteer.
“I’m thankful for the volunteers and executive board,” says Kachhadiya, adding that anyone is welcome to join the Club to help with one or several festivals. There’s “no pressure,” adds Kachhadiya. Membership is free.
Asked what his favourite part of Diwali is, Kachhadiya did not hesitate.
“I like shopping. That’s my favourite part. And organizing stuff. I like to make sure everything is running smoothly.”
Admission to the event - beginning Friday, October 18 and ending Sunday, October 20 - is free to students with a valid school ID and children under six years. Everyone else is asked to pay a $3 entry fee. For more information visit fb/IFCNS – Indian Festivals Club of Nova Scotia.
