Traditional South Asian Festival of Lights Event Celebrates Victory of Light Over Darkness
Chicago, Illinois (November 6, 2023) – The Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts today announced a Deepavali event (also known as Diwali in Northern Indian) will occur on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.at Chicago Women’s Park & Garden (1801 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616). Deepavali plays a significant role in preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of South Asian communities by showcasing art, music, dance, and traditional attire, with special festival foods and sweets. The event is free and open to all ages. Tickets can be reserved in advance at www.kalapriya.org.
Founded in 1994, The Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts presents India’s artistic diversity through performing arts that preserve traditional South Asian art forms and builds bridges between the performing arts and our contemporary lives. Deepavali is the Indian festival of lights celebrating the victory of Light over Darkness, Good over Evil, and Knowledge over Ignorance. In some parts of India, Deepavali (Sanskrit for “row of lamps”) also signals the return of Lord Rama to the city of Ayodhya post his triumph over Ravana, the King of Lanka in Valmiki’s Epic - the Ramayana.
“Deepavali is a time when families and communities come together to celebrate while exchanging gifts, sharing meals and spending quality time with loved ones. It strengthens bonds and reinforces the importance of togetherness,” said Dr. Mridu Sekhar, President of the Board of Directors at The Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts. “The festival also emphasizes the importance of charity and helping those in need, which is embedded in our mission at the Kalapriya Center. We are proud to take this moment to celebrate and continue to give back to assist underserved communities in Chicago by sharing the love of art.”
The Kalapriya Center strives to make authentic and important contributions to Chicago’s rich culture through programming that is educational, inspirational, and focused on creating a community that builds connections and shares traditions, while instilling ahimsa, the Hindu belief symbolizing love, genuine care, and compassion towards all living beings.
Chicago is home to the second largest population of South Asian immigrants in the country, and the Kalapriya Center works to showcase the cultural and artistic variety that exists within this vibrant community by showcasing the many dimensions of Indian performing arts at its recently opened studio at 2101 South Wabash Ave. and in public and private performances across the city. In addition to working with schools and cultural organizations, the Kalapriya Center works with underserved communities in Chicago with a focus on reducing violence by cultivating Kalapriyas, or “Lovers of Art.“
Admission is free for the Deepavali festival on November 11, 2023. Tickets can be reserved in advance at www.kalapriya.org or obtained at the door until capacity is reached. For more information about Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts programs, classes, and resources, please visit https://kalapriya.org/.
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