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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, November 1, 2004: Thousands of people from many cultures helped Auckland’s Indian community celebrate Deepavali yesterday in the Town Hall and outside on Queen St. A constant stream of people moved from the Town Hall, where music, dance, art and a fashion show provided most of the entertainment, to Queen St where a stage was set up for a Bollywood dance competition. Outside there were numerous food stalls. But revellers did not stay long in one place. The path into the Town Hall was just as busy. The celebration, also know as the Festival of Lights signifying a renewal of life, was put on through a partnership between the Auckland City Council and the Asia 2000 Foundation. Organizers said more than 40,000 people attended last year’s event and hoped for 60,000 by the end of the celebrations last night. Deepavali is a Hindu festival that is now celebrated around the world. It is a demonstration of India’s many subcultures.



Yesterday’s Auckland celebration showed it is a powerful force for unity among cultures. A dance troop from India, the Rangla Punjab Cultural Youth Club, has been in the country for 10 days, courtesy of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Asia 2000. It performed in Wellington for its Deepavali celebration last week and yesterday in Auckland. The traditional folk group made up of mainly university students performed during the day and helped wind up celebrations before a fireworks finale in Queen St. The group has performed in nearly 20 countries and is heading to Fiji and Australia – for more Deepavali celebrations.

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