Diwali, the festival of light, is the most important festival in the Hindu calendar. At school the boys took part in India Month where they had extra activities to learn about and celebrate Diwali and Indian culture. On one day they dressed in traditional Indian clothes, they watched displays by Indian craftsmen and even learnt to sing the Indian national Anthem which was performed in a special assembly. Oliver's class performed scenes from traditional Indian stories and
William's class performed a Bollywood dance. India Month culminated in a Diwali Mela (festival). The boys' Taekwondo class put on a display and we were treated to a number of different performances rounded off with an Indian feast.
In our compound we also got in to the festival spirit. we started with a festival that celebrates women and lots of dolls are put on display. Our neighbours invited us to celebrate with them and we all dressed up and had lots of delicious food.
We then moved in to the celebrations for Diwali. Fireworks shops spring up all over the place so several of us purchased fireworks and all the neighbours set them off together. This 'homemade' display lacked the safety regulations of the normal UK events! We had one rocket that went under a car, another that exploded two feet off the ground (the children thought this was great!) and another which rammed in to our neighbours front door and exploded! Remarkably we ended the night with no injuries and it's safe to say that we feel that we have done Diwali fireworks now and don't feel the need to repeat it next year!!
