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By Roshni Mapara
The festival of light came to Bournemouth this year as 140 people packed into The Retreat for food, music and dance on 28thOctober.
The juggling society put on a spectacular show of gleaming lights and batons, before leading the way out onto the fields for the firework and flame juggling display.
Traditional Indian sweets were on offer, and attracted a queue of many hungry people throughout the evening.
Decorated with fairy lights, wall and ceiling hangings, and tea light candles, the staff canteen was glowing with the symbolic meanings of Diwali.
A dhol (or drum) player kept the dance floor alive along with the Bollywood music.
The day is marked in celebration for Hindus as Rama’s return from exile after defeating the ten-headed demon, Ravana, and rescuing his wife, Sita. Candles (or diyas) were lit to guide his path home. Similarly, Sikhs celebrate the release of the sixth guru, Hargobind, from prison many, many years ago.
Event organiser and Desi Network Association President, Shivani Verma was very pleased with the night: “We’d sold about 80 tickets beforehand so it was more successful than I thought it would be. Everyone really enjoyed it, everyone was dancing, the jugglers were really good too.”
Shivani has lots more planned for the DNA soon too: “We’ll try and organise a Christmas party when everyone comes back after the holidays ‘cause everyone had a really good night.”
To join The DNA contact Shivani Verma on g9025031@bournemouth.ac.uk
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