Devonshire Square's Diwali Festival 2021

On 4th November, from 5.30pm to 8pm, Devonshire Square will be celebrating Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, by hosting in its atmospheric Western Courtyard the third edition of its very own Diwali Festival, a FREE attendance event that will showcase some of India’s most traditional visual arts, Rangoli, and a dance show performed by some of the finest Indian folk and classical dancers in the UK.

The Festival has been curated and organised by the Devonshire Square Events Team to celebrate the magnificence of Indian’s culture and arts as well as its delicious cuisine. During the event, guests will be treated to a complimentary tasting experience of Indian confectionery specialties and canapés, courtesy of Devonshire Square’s iconic Indian restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen, founded by internationally acclaimed celebrity chef, Vivek Singh.

ARTISTIC PROGRAMME

Traditional Rangoli art

The original Rangoli artwork that will decorate the Georgian limestone flooring of Devonshire Square’s Western Courtyard will be created on site by award-winning Rangoli artist Miguel Rajaguru.

For this year’s edition, the artist has been commissioned by Devonshire Square to create an artwork on the theme “The lotus in the moonlight”, a unique creation that is meant to represent enlightenment, rebirth and self-regeneration, as well as compassion and love.

The Lotus flower is regarded in many different cultures, especially in eastern religions, as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. Its characteristics are a perfect analogy for the human condition: even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the lotus produces the most beautiful flower.

As there is no moon on Diwali night, the artist will be celebrating the expectance of the new moon by incorporating it in his imaginative artwork, where it symbolises immortality, eternity and inner knowledge.

The artwork will be lit by candles, a visual representation of the word Diwali, which literally means 'row of lights'.

Rangoli is an artform originating in the Indian subcontinent in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground using materials such as coloured rice, dry flour, coloured sand or flower petals. It is usually made during Diwali or Tihar and other Hindu festivals. Designs are passed from one generation to the next, keeping both the art form and the tradition alive.

Indian Dance Show

Renowned London-based dance organization, Akademi South Asian Dance UK will present some of the most enlivening and visually engaging routines from the classical, folkloric and tribal Indian dance repertoire, including Rajasthani folk dance, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam dance, executed by highly accomplished professional dancers from Sarjan Nartan Academy, IndianRaga London and Upahaar School of Dance.

London based dance-school Dancenbeats, founded by celebrity dance choreographer Chittal Shah – hailed by the BBC as the best Garba dance teacher in UK – will be presenting an authentic Dandyia dance and a captivating Bolly-Bhangra performance.

This year’s programme will represent an imaginative journey through the enthralling diversity of Indian regions, from the Western coast to the North of India and from the East of the continent to Kerala, in South India, whose traditions and legends will be narrated through the language of dance in an aesthetic and captivating way.

The event is FREE to attend, however, registration through Eventbrite is strictly required.

For further information or if you have a query on the Devonshire Square’s Diwali Festival, please contact the Devonshire Events Team on frontdesk@devonshiresq.co.uk or call them on 020 7645 0800 and they will be delighted to assist you.

Guests who wish to enjoy the unique experience of dining at Cinnamon Kitchen on the magical Diwali night after the show, can book their tables by visiting Cinnamon Kitchen official website on https://www.cinnamon-kitchen.com/book/ or by contacting the Cinnamon Kitchen Reservations Team on 020 7626 5000.

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