Diwali: Lights Of India Showcases Music, Dance And Martial Arts At Seattle Center

Seattle Center Festál continues with Diwali: Lights of India, Saturday, Oct. 22, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall. The festival, organized by Northwest Share, is free and open to the public.

Diwali: Lights of India showcases the arts and culture of India, adapted from and closely following the most popular annual festival celebrated in India. This year's festival will feature nationally and internationally known artists with educational content, as well as classical, contemporary and folk Indian dances, plus other musical and dance entertainment produced and presented by local youth dance schools.

A flower mandala (rangoli) floor arrangement will be a decorative feature of the festival. Upstairs in the Loft Lobby and Balcony, visual arts galleries will showcase artist Jayashree Krishnan's portraits of frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic as well as award-winning art by Deepti Agrawal and her students' paintings. Along with a henna booth, face painting and hands-on activities, there will be something for everyone.

"One Seattle is all about bringing communities together to embrace our diversity and celebrate the many cultures that make our city stronger," said Mayor Bruce Harrell. "Diwali: Lights of India highlights the unique cultural roots of our Indian community and gives Seattleites a chance to experience their rich traditions."

This Diwali festival will host a martial arts session and offer free vegetarian food-a large part of Northwest Share's mission to feed everyone through their vegetarian food trucks that distribute free food to thousands of people across Washington. There will also be an Indian chai corner, a saree booth, shopping opportunities presented by vendors, a puppetry show and workshop for children.

Diwali: Lights of India symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated with family and friends, the Diwali festival provides Seattleites with the chance to participate in an Indian tradition miles away from its origin.

"Diwali brings people to Seattle Center's campus to share in Indian culture," said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams. "We are proud to host so many educational and valuable festivals, like Diwali, here in the heart of Seattle."

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