The 6th annual Vancouver Celebrates Diwali festival has come to a close. With over a week of fantastic events throughout Vancouver celebrating the exciting and colourful world of South Asian arts & culture, one thing is clear: these folks know how to party!
Diwali (row of lighted lamps) reflects festivals around the world who together celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. In India it often represents the beginning of the New Year, a celebration marked with diyas (clay lamps) rangoli (colourful floor mosaics), feasting, dancing, music. My friend Bill and I headed down to the Roundhouse to check out Diwali Downtown, the biggest event of the festival, and found all of this on full display from the beautiful chalk drawings outside to the music and bustle that drew us in.
Let me start by saying that this was a great space, but it was clear by the way we were squeezed in that the festival may want to find a bigger space next year. The website promised the full experience of a “bustling Punjabi market” but the volunteers looked tired and just a little grumpy navigating and rearranging all the folks who were standing still to watch the events on stage. Unfortunately this meant they were also blocking doorways, vendors, and artists trying to make it to the stage. I felt for them, but not enough to drop my milk cake and leave the party.
There was a little something for everyone from beautiful mehndi henna tattooing, diya painting for kids, dhol drums (not just for melancholics anymore), food, dance, and of course vendors with beautiful silks and jewelry – I was in heaven.
As such, I have decided to give up the life of an only-child and take on a new cultural identity which includes huge families and lots of milk cake. Sorry Mom. I wondered who in the South Asian community I might get to adopt me. Kismet had its way with me when I was very kindly invited by Akash Sablok to his son’s birthday party, which happened to be taking place at the Roundhouse the very same day. You see where I’m going here? What was that? You can’t imagine this not being the perfect opportunity either? Yes, and we really shouldn’t mess with kismet. Wouldn’t that be like allowing darkness to triumph over light? Wait, I think I’m messing with karma now. (“Never mix your spiritual belief systems lest you wind up with no milk cake.” -New Testament)
Considering we are probably the same age, adoption may be awkward, so I’m open to alternatives. His father Tarlok seemed lovely. Akash, look. I promise, I’m like a chia-pet. Just water me once a day and I’m good to go. Well, and maybe a little milk cake. And some jasmine rice with just a touch of butter chicken. And a little chai. And what is that, music? Let’s dance!
Happy Diwali!
For more information, visit: www.vandiwali.ca
Update:
Great News, Akash Sablok has agreed to adopt me as his sister, but I am not allowed to drive his car (I knew I shouldn’t have blogged about my questionable driving habits, never mind shared the story of the construction sign I recently took out with my front passenger door… and the right rear passenger door… and a bit of the right rear quarter panel. Good call, Akash, good call.)
