What better way to commemorate an Indian festival meant to celebrate the power of light over darkness, than to take the festivities outdoors?
Surati for Performing Arts and Education, an arts group based in Jersey City, will hold the Diwali Festival for the first time at Pier A Park in Hoboken on Saturday, Oct. 10.
“We are excited to host Hoboken’s first outdoor Diwali Festival and add to the cultural diversity of our community,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “I invite our entire community to come out to take part in this great new event and celebrate the Festival of Lights.”
The festival will include live entertainment, traditional Indian food, special performances from the Surati team, a theatrical production of the epic Ramayana and the story of Diwali, a fireworks display, a DJ and dancing.
A fashion show, which will showcase the fashion styles of various Hudson County ethnicities, is also planned.
“Indian Americans have been part of Hoboken’s diverse cultural fabric for generations.” – Ravi Bhalla
____________
With Indian classical dance at its base, Surati spot lights a number of art forms including ballet, jazz dancers, and musicians.
The festival will also preview the center’s 1st International Festival for Children and Families (officially launching in 2016) from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
“[The festival] perfectly represents the rich cultural diversity of Hudson County and the surrounding areas,” said Roy, who is an accomplished classical dancer herself.
From 800 to 2,000
Surati’s Diwali celebrations, a Hindu tradition held every autumn, began in 2008 with on and off festivals throughout the years held at the Monroe Center in Hoboken as part of the “Lights of India” festival.
The performing center’s other major crowd drawer, the Holi Festival in Jersey City, has gained popularity since its conception seven years ago. Many would recognize the festival, which celebrates spring, due to “color playing” wherein participants fling dry powder and colored water at each other. The festival started on small scale with about 50 people, mostly friends and family, heading to Hamilton Park for color throwing, dancing and food.
The festival’s popularity forced organizers to move it to Exchange Place in 2014. This year’s festival in March, despite rain and a last minute change of date, attracted over 2,000 people.
“We are mainly a performing arts organization, and our initial interest in organizing festivals was purely for showcasing the artistic talent and multi-cultural diversity in the region,” said Surati business manager and performer, Anand Rao. “When we realized that our festivals were gaining in popularity and magnitude, we started dedicating our time and resources to open them up for more people.”
While many organizers in the tri-state area have recently approached the group for possible events, Rao said having the festival in Hoboken “was always on our priority list because we consider it a part of our neighborhood.”
Rimli said that while prior indoor festivals have drawn crowds of up to 800, she expects the first outdoor festival to see 2,000 to 3,000 people.
Everyone is invited
The ancient Diwali festival traditionally marks the end of “Navaratri” – a nine-night festivity when every doorstep in India is illuminated with light.
“Every home lights tiny oil lamps placed all around the house and elaborate fireworks can be seen at every home and street corner,” Rao said. “In India, everyone regardless of religion and belief partake in the celebrations.”
He noted that similarly, everyone is invited to Hoboken’s Diwali festival.
The festival generally commemorates Lord Ramayan’s return to Ayodhya from exile. The Hindu epic details how Ramayan (considered an incarnation of the God Lord Vishnu) returns to his kingdom after 14 years in exile and after slaying Ravana, a demonic emperor.
City lends a hand
Rao made a point to emphasize that the city of Hoboken has been instrumental in launching the outdoor festival. Surati received support from the mayor’s office and Hudson County Cultural Affairs, as well as Director Leo Pellegrini, Chief of Staff Vijay Chaudhuri and Council President Ravi Bhalla.
Bhalla has a unique connection to the festival. Although he was born and raised in New Jersey, his parents are from India and he spent every summer as a child visiting relatives there.
“Indian Americans have been part of Hoboken’s diverse cultural fabric for generations,” he said. “Honoring this community through a Diwali Festival has special meaning to both the older and newer Hoboken residents from the Indian subcontinent.”
Steven Rodas can be reached at srodas@hudsonreporter.com.