By Kimberly Ramkhalawan
October 25, 2022.
Divali, the festival of lights, as celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday October 24th, saw the week long fair open to the public for the first time this year following two years of the pandemic.
The fair, commonly called the Divali Nagar, opens for a week to the public one week before the actual festival holiday. It features a showcase of the hindu religion as practiced by the Indian diaspora which settled in the twin island state over 177 years ago as indentured labourers.
During every night of the week, there is a stage where performances associated with celebrating the festival of lights are put on. From traditional east Indian dances, Tassa Drumming, storytelling excerpts from the Ramayan, singing and other musical performances are shared to the audience, while the surrounding periphery houses commercial booths, featuring the corporate sector, to the selling of traditional foods associated with the Indian cuisine, cooking displays, ethnic wear, application of mehendi designs and much more.
According to Charge D’Affaires at the Indian High Commission, Shri Raju Sharma, gave greetings at the Divali Nagar on Thursday night, celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago, share much similarities to observances held in India, proof of the passing on of traditions throughout the generations.
For the organizing body, National Committee for Indian Culture, NCIC, planning this year occurred within a short space of time, given Trinidad and Tobago’s lengthy COVID 19 restrictions in place. First Vice President at the NCIC, Deoroop Temul said planning for the event got on its way within four months.
Surujdeo Mangaroo, Public Relations Officer at the NCIC says this year’s theme chosen, the “Hindu Panth” (Hindu Denominations), showcasing the variations of the religion and the coming together of the various sects practiced locally.
Divali in Trinidad and Tobago is observed with many Hindus abstaining from meat and meat products prior to the festival as a fast, while they believe lighting small clay pots, commonly called deeyas lit on what is commonly known as the darkest night of the year, allows for their home to be visited by the Goddess Lakshmi, bestowing blessings upon their household for the coming year. It is often celebrated with many traditional sweets and local Indian cuisine.