Diwali, also known as Deepavali (literally a "row of lamps"), is perhaps the most important and ancient of the Indian festivals.
It is celebrated throughout India as well as in Indian communities around the world. It is colloquially known as "The Festival of Lights" - the time when families light small oil lamps (known as diyas) and candles around the home and set off firecrackers and fireworks.
The Diwali Festival of Lights gives the Auckland Indian communities the opportunity to share this much-loved cultural tradition with other New Zealanders and their families.
Experience scrumptious food, non-stop free family entertainment, Bollywood dancing, traditional crafts, and much more.
Venue: Britomart East. Free concert nights on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 October, 6:00pm to 9:00pm; festival days on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October, 11:00am to 10:00pm.
Image courtesy of Asia NZ Foundation.
organisation:
Asia: New Zealand Foundation
cost:
Free
dates:
Thu 12 Oct 06 - Fri 13 Oct 06, every day, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Sat 14 Oct 06 - Sun 15 Oct 06, every day, 11:00am - 10:00pm
venue:
Britomart Events Pavillion, Downtown Auckland, Auckland
region:
Auckland, New Zealand
Free classical concerts in lead-up to Diwali
Lovers of Indian classical music are in for a treat in the lead up to this year’s Asia:NZ/Auckland City Diwali Festival of Lights.
On Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13 there will be free evening classical concerts in the 500-seat Pavilion in Britomart East, at the rear of the Britomart Transport Centre.
Featured will be three accomplished visiting musicians from India – Milind Tulankar on the jaltarang, vocalist Mrs Veena Sahasrabuddhle and harmonium-player Vyasmurti Katti. They will be accompanied on tabla by New Zealand ethnomusicologist Greg Booth.
The jaltarang is a rare instrument, played by striking a light wooden mallet against china-clay bowls filled with water. Milind was taught this rare instrument by his grandfather, the late Pandit Shankar Kanhare, a famous jaltarang player.
Veena Sahasrabuddhe is widely acclaimed as a performer of the Khayal style of Indian classical singing and of moving bhajan devotional songs. She has published some 40 albums of music and performed all over India as well as overseas.
Harmonium-player Vyasmurti Katti has accompanied many eminent artistes and has also toured and performed extensively in India and overseas.
Free concerts at the Pavilion, Britomart East:
Thursday, October 12, 6pm-9pm:
Milind Tulankar will play the jaltarang accompanied by Greg Booth on tabla. Additional performances by Sangeeta Bharathi Music School and Samudra.
Friday, October 13, 6pm-9pm:
Vocalist Veena Sahasrabuddhe with Vyasmurti Katti on harmonium and Greg Booth on tabla. Additional performances by Carnatic Music Society and Samudra.