Birmingham gears up for Diwali extravaganza
ORGANISERS of this year’s Birmingham Diwali celebrations are inviting people from all religions and ethnicity to join in on a mass open air Indian folk dance this weekend.
Thousands are expected to descend on Millennium Point this Saturday for the city’s Diwali extravaganza.
Organisers, the Hindu Council of Birmingham are hoping to get the city dancing and are calling on visitors to take part in a Garba Raas – a popular Indian folk dance.
The Garba Raas, which originated in the Gujarat region of India, is usually performed during Navratri, the nine-day Hindu festival.
But as the dance encompasses simple steps and clapping it is ideal for even the inexperienced dancer.
It is hoped the dance will be the biggest Garba Raas in the Midlands.
Mahendra Dabhi, President of the Hindu Council of Birmingham, said: “Garbas are generally very colourful, noisy and fun. They are very popular especially with the young in the Hindu community. It’s also a very inclusive dance so I like to call on people from throughout Birmingham to join us on the day.”
Visitors to the Diwali spectacular will be treated to an afternoon of entertainment with music coming from the likes of Raghav and Navin Kundra.
The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display, organisers said.
For more information on the event log onto www.birmingham.gov.uk/diwali.
