Deepawali Milan – a celebration of meeting, greeting Diwali in Sydney
Deepawali Milan is a celebration that includes children as young as three year olds
By Manju Mittal
Deepawali Milan was celebrated on November 7, 2015 at Hornsby RSL. The annual event was sold out a week prior and attended by a large number of people. The event attracted people of different communities and ethnicity to a celebration of Diwali that we all look forward to – a time to get together with the entire family, this festival of lights was the perfect weekend celebration.
Diwali is perhaps one festival that elicits the most mixed emotions. People just love the festival of lights and miss it like anything being away from their home land. I was pleasantly surprised to experience what I term a perfect Indo-Aussie style Diwali, it being one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in Australia. Many schools, community groups, Hindu associations Indian organisations and corporate businesses get involved in celebrating Diwali.
The event started with Arti. It was the most amazing experience watching young school kids performing Arti and chanting Gaytri Mantra. The cultural program commenced on time at 7 pm. The entertainment segment involved performers and art forms from every part of India including classical, traditional folk and Bollywood performances. The audience were on their feet too including many young children. Activities for children, a photo booth, Mehndi stall and DJ dance Masti kept the audiences on their feet until the start of the entertainment program.
Pradanya Dugal in a captivating dance performance
The activities were based on Diwali theme, with one corner devoted to beauty grooming stall and a photo booth.
“Diwali is all about spending time with loved ones, so we wanted to create an event from the young to the old, people to come out and spend this evening with their families and friends and celebrate Diwali like we do back home,” said Kamini Sahni, organiser of the event.
Sydney’s young talented dancer Pradnya Dugal, winner of IABCA’s ”˜Professional of the year Award’, stunned the audience with her amazing dance moves along with Nisha. Group of young girls stole the show with their dance performance which was choreographed by well known dancer Deepa Arora. They got a big thumping applause from the audience. Dancers from Sydney Punjabi dance group performed traditional Punjabi bhangra Choreographed by very talented dancer and stage artist Punam Wahan. Mala Mehta’s Hindi school children performance was also appreciated by the audience.
It was interesting to meet gorgeous Enu Narula, Mrs India Universe 2015 contestant who also had won the title of Mrs. Universe Courageous 2015. Enu said she was happy to be part of this event and was interviewed by little girl Sienaas as beautiful Mrs. Universe Courageous shared her thoughts and experiences with the audience.
Highlight of the event was Women Beauty Pageant depicted feminine beauty fashion and family values. The stage was an explosion of colour as contestants graced the catwalk in their traditional outfits.
Kamini Sahni, organiser (extreme RHS) with pageant contestants
The contestants were Ritu Arora Madan, Pallavi Kharbanda, Dr.Shibani Sahni, Deepa Arora, Sarika Kapoor and Niti Bajaj. Judges were Deepti Sachdeva and Enu Narula. At the end of the pageant contestants were crowned by Local Councillor Gurdeep Singh, Divya Dhingra, Deepti Sachedva and Enu Narula.
The event was well organised by Kamini Sahni and Lt Col (Retd) Virander Sahni. MCs Nitin Madan and Divya Dhingra were superb as they engaged the audience quite capably. It was a thrilling way to celebrate Diwali meeting, greeting and mixing with one and all at Diwali Milan.
Lt Col (Retd) Virander Sahni with children
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