The significance of Deepavali, the Festival of Light
The Deepavali festival falls on 14 November this year. Although mass social gatherings are not permitted due to the pandemic, traditional festivals are still celebrated in a different way. Just like the traditional singing and dancing as well as the decoration of Rangoli are still adding vitality to the upcoming Deepavali.
Deepavali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, and celebrates the victory of good over evil. Although it is not the new year of Hindu Calendar the celebration shares many similarities with the Lunar New Year.
Rangoli Designer | Rohini Nakra
We do visit each other’s houses during Deepavali. So to make the entrance attractive, Rangoli is made with colorful designs. Main purpose is to welcome Goddess Lakshmi so that she feels nice to enter the house and hand prosperity to the house. Also when the guests look at (the Rangoli) they feel welcomed into the house. Because the colorful designs of the Rangoli give good vibrations and set the entry at the entrance, people’s mood is set in the right way before entering the house.
Bright colours and exquisite details are also incorporated into the mythological traditional songs and dances, adding more joyful atmosphere to the festive season.
Dance Teacher | Kavita
We want to make joy right. We want to celebrate. So we usually dance and we sing and we light up oil lamps in the house. If I’m happy, my energy is happy, then I will send the good feeling to everyone. To bring happiness to the world, starts with me.
Deepavali has become a cross-ethnic festival in Singapore. Although time is changing, what remains unchanged is the passing on of a culture and the cohesion of the racial spirit.
