How Diwali is Celebrated in Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh (UP), the heartland of northern India—Diwali holds profound spiritual and cultural significance. As the legendary setting of the Ramayana, UP is home to Ayodhya, the birth city of Lord Rama, making the state’s festivities among the grandest and most authentic in the world. From sacred riverbanks to domestic doorsteps, the celebrations blend deep scriptural devotion with rich folk traditions.

1. Deepotsav in Ayodhya: A World-Record Spectacle

The crown jewel of Diwali celebrations in Uttar Pradesh is Deepotsav, held in the holy city of Ayodhya along the banks of the Saryu River.

• The Reenactment: The grand event begins with a ceremonial procession featuring elaborate tableaux depicting episodes from the Ramayana. Helicopters drop flower petals as actors portraying Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshmana arrive, symbolically reenacting their return from 14 years of exile.

• Guinness World Records: Millions of hand-crafted earthen lamps (diyas) are arranged across the Ram Ki Paidi ghats. Volunteers and devotees light these lamps simultaneously, creating a mesmerizing sea of golden light that consistently sets world records for the largest display of oil lamps.

• Laser and Drone Shows: Modern technology merges with tradition as grand 3D laser light shows, sound performances, and eco-friendly fireworks illuminate the night sky, depicting the epic narrative of good triumphing over evil.

2. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi: The Diwali of the Gods

While the main Diwali is celebrated on the dark night (Amavasya), Varanasi (Kashi) celebrates Dev Deepawali (“Diwali of the Gods”) fifteen days later, on the full moon night of Kartik Purnima.

According to regional belief, the gods descend to Earth to bathe in the holy Ganges River on this night. All 84 historic riverfront ghats from Assi to Rajghat are illuminated with over a million diyas. Thousands of pilgrims gather to witness the breathtaking Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, accompanied by chanting, brass bells, and floating floral lamps (deepdan) drifting down the river.

3. Traditional Domestic Customs Across UP

Inside households across Uttar Pradesh, the festival unfolds over five days with distinct regional customs:

• Traditional Wall Art (Aipan and Chowk): Women decorate doorways and prayer spaces with elaborate rangoli and traditional geometric patterns called Chowk Purna, drawn using rice flour and vermilion to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.

• Clay Idols & Kulhad Diyas: Families purchase freshly baked clay idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh along with handmade earthen pots (kulhads) from local artisans, reinforcing community bonds.

• Khel-Batasha Offering: During the evening Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja, a special offering of puffed rice (Khel) and sugar candies (Batasha) is presented to the deities as a symbol of agricultural prosperity and sweetness in life.

4. Festive Culinary Delights of Uttar Pradesh

Food is central to UP’s Diwali celebrations, featuring traditional slow-cooked vegetarian dishes and rich sweets unique to northern India:

Dish / Sweet Description & Significance
Suran (Elephant Foot Yam) Sabzi Consumed on Diwali night across UP households; traditionally believed to bring good fortune and steady wealth.
Poori & Aloo Rasdar Deep-fried puffed bread served with a rich, spiced potato gravy, cooked as the primary festive lunch.

Gujiya & Mathri Crispy pastries filled with sweetened khoya (condensed milk) and nuts, served alongside savory spiced crackers.
Moti Choor Ladoo Soft, melt-in-the-mouth gram flour sweets offered to Lord Ganesh during evening prayers.

5. Community Joy and Brotherly Bond

The festivities conclude with Bhai Dooj, where sisters apply a sacred vermilion tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, praying for their long life and prosperity. Across towns and villages in Uttar Pradesh, markets stay vibrant late into the night, filled with fairy lights, festive sweet shops, and joyful gatherings, encapsulating the deep warmth and hospitality of Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage.

From Diwali to Community: Embracing Kindness and Connection

By Xavier Hernandez

Happy Diwali to all our readers who have started planning how they will celebrate this local, national and international celebration, which falls on November 8. From the Australian Indian Times family and me, I wish you all a safe and joyful five-day festival, both in the lead-up and throughout the celebrations. Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

This month, I would like to begin by thanking JD and the Deo family, my friends and the Australian Indian Times community for their ongoing support. I am honoured to announce that I have been appointed as a Chapel Prefect as part of the St John’s Anglican College 2027 Leadership Team. This is a journey I look forward to continuing to share with you. Thank you to the Deo family and my village for your love and ongoing support.

I am grateful to be growing up in such a vibrant and supportive community. Recently, I caught up with a friend and the owner of A–Z Gallery at Sunnybank Shopping Centre. I still remember how he would give me a gift and say hello every time I walked into his store. He has shown me small but impactful acts of kindness since I was three years old. Sitting down with him, seeing his wife and talking with his staff, particularly during the Moon Festival, was an incredible experience. Enjoying a cuppa of organic tea and finding some awesome bargains made it even more memorable. I would like to challenge our readers to perform an act of kindness this month and every month.

I also had a wonderful time with the Vietnamese senior citizens, President Khue Oanh Do and members. I took part in their Father’s Day badminton challenge and helped hand out knitted beanies and items donated by Mission Possible and Gail Harrow. Gail and I have known each other since we were very young, and seeing her and all her volunteers was another incredible moment. If you would like to volunteer or donate to Gail and her team, reach out to Mission Possible in Logan Central.

I also attended the Zaffarology Transformation Workshop, a powerful one-day workshop themed MASTER YOUR MIND – BUILD YOUR LEGACY. As a young person whose journey is still being laid out, it was an eye-opener and a wonderful opportunity to work alongside some of Queensland’s brightest minds. One topic that particularly interested me was Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be discussed by our Australian Indian Times readers, particularly the opportunities and threats it may bring to our day-to-day lives.
Like all things, AI can also be misused. That is why my interview with mental health champion Cr. Nathan St Ledger remains incredibly important. Please enjoy Part 6.
Xavier Hernandez: How do you think the community contributes to the development, growth and wellbeing of young people?

Cr. Nathan St Ledger: Schools play a huge part. Guidance officers, in particular, work really closely in this space, and I spent a couple of years working in schools with disengaged young people, so I have seen that firsthand.

Schools play a huge role, and not just in education. They are increasingly becoming involved in young people’s wellbeing and having to deal with those sorts of issues as well.
Sporting clubs and community organisations also play a huge part. I’ve got to give credit to the QRL and a mate of mine named Weston, who was at the QRL, for starting mental health support initiatives. They now have support squads, with volunteers within clubs who have received training in mental health support and other areas to help young people involved in these sports.

Sporting clubs and community groups play a major role because connection, value and purpose are extremely powerful tools. That’s what everyone needs, in my opinion.
People generally find their interests through these organisations, so having people around them who have a little bit of education and understanding to be able to help in those situations is really important.

They play a major role, and the more we can help upskill people within those organisations, the better.

Xavier Hernandez: Do you have a personal motto or guiding principle that influences how you approach life, work and challenges?
Cr. Nathan St Ledger: I don’t know if it’s a motto or not, but I think it’s about just having a go at things.

I’m extremely fortunate, mate. I’ve got really good people around me. I’ve got a really supportive wife and kids, and now some really good mates as well.
But you get in the game, or you could just sit on the sideline. I won’t be sitting on the sideline. You’ve got to get in the game.

Xavier Hernandez: How do you enjoy your downtime?
Cr. Nathan St Ledger: For me, it’s spending time with my family. I love going away camping. I love either getting out bush or getting to one of my favourite places in the world, Fraser Island.

My wife and my kids all love doing that sort of stuff, so getting away either out bush or up the beach is really important for me.
It’s about connecting personally without phones and technology taking over. That’s what I like to do, and it’s probably something that I need periodically throughout the year, so I’ll make sure I prioritise that.
That’s really important.

End of interview

As many readers have told me when I’m out in the community, they really enjoy the “What’s Coming Up” section, so I’m pleased to share a few events happening across our community.

I recently caught up with the team at The Lion Richlands, who will be celebrating Diwali in style on Sunday, November 8, at 133 Pine Road, Richlands. The community is invited to come together for Lakshmi Puja and celebrate colour, culture and community.
Another event to pencil into your calendar is Movember Logan West, taking place on Sunday, November 22, from 7am to 9am at Sweetgum Park, Hillcrest. The Logan West Movember Fun Run is a new fundraising event supporting men’s health, with 2km and 4km options. Run, walk or take it at your own pace. The cost is $20 per person.

The third event is Creswalk 2026, taking place on Sunday, October 11, at Berrinba Wetlands, Wayne Goss Drive, Browns Plains. Participants should arrive at 8am, with the walk starting at 8:30am. The free community event offers a 5km or relaxed 2.5km route, with walking, running, strolling and wheeling all welcome.

Enjoy your month of October, and I look forward to seeing you out and about as we continue celebrating our community and doing what I love — building community.

Greater Springfield Dandiya Night 2026

What began as a community celebration has grown into one of the region’s much-loved multicultural events — but the real success of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is not measured by the number of people who attend.

It is measured by the people who come together to make it happen.
The fifth Greater Springfield Dandiya Night at Robelle Domain Parklands was a beautiful celebration of Indian culture, music, dance and devotion, with more than 4,000 people coming together to enjoy the evening.

But behind those thousands of smiling faces were months of planning, countless conversations, late nights, hard work and, most importantly, a dedicated team of volunteers who gave their time and energy simply because they wanted to do something special for their community.

This Is Our Community Event

Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is not one person’s event.
It belongs to the community.

It is the result of people putting their hands up to help, families giving their time, volunteers taking responsibility, businesses providing support, performers sharing their talent and community organisations coming together with one common purpose.
GSIA President Mukesh Dubey said the event’s growth over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding, but the achievement belongs to the entire team.

“An event of this size does not happen because of one person. It happens because people come together. There are many sleepless nights, countless hours of planning and a lot of work that people never see. But our greatest strength is our team and our volunteers.”
“They are more than volunteers to me — they are family. Everyone contributes in their own way, and together we make this event possible.”

The Power of Teamwork

From the initial planning meetings to the final clean-up, there are hundreds of tasks involved in bringing an event of this scale to life.

Venue coordination, performers, food stalls, community stalls, sponsorships, advertising, stage programs, volunteers, safety, first aid, logistics, entertainment and crowd management all require people working together.

And that is where the true spirit of Dandiya Night shines.
Everyone has a role. Everyone contributes. Everyone matters.
The incredible atmosphere people experienced on the night was the result of a much bigger team working behind the scenes.

Thousands Came Together

As the sun went down, Robelle Domain Parklands came alive with colour, music and celebration.

Thousand of people enjoyed an evening filled with Garba and Dandiya, traditional dress, DJ music, cultural performances, food, children’s activities, shopping stalls and plenty of family entertainment.

People of all ages and backgrounds joined the celebrations, creating a wonderful atmosphere of friendship, happiness and togetherness.
For many families, it was not simply a night of dancing — it was an opportunity to meet friends, make new memories and share Indian culture with the wider community.

A Night of Culture and Devotion

The evening showcased the richness of Indian culture through music, dance and spiritual traditions.

The spectacular Dhol Tasha performance by Shivam Vadhya Pathak was one of the highlights, filling the parklands with powerful beats and incredible energy.

The cultural performances and Diwali-themed presentations added colour and excitement to the evening, while Goddess Durga Pooja and Aarti brought a beautiful spiritual dimension to the celebration.

It was a reminder that culture is not only about entertainment — it is also about faith, tradition, identity and passing our heritage to the next generation.
CONTD. ON PG 24
CONTD. FROM PG 22

We Are One

One of the most important messages behind Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is simple:
We Are One.

The event welcomed people from different cultures, backgrounds and communities to celebrate together.

The support from numerous community organisations and multicultural groups demonstrated the strength of collaboration across Greater Springfield and the wider region.
Different communities may have different traditions, but events like this show how easily we can come together through friendship, respect and celebration.

Thank You to Our Supporters

GSIA is deeply grateful for the support received from government representatives, local councillors, MPs, community leaders, organisations, sponsors and well-wishers.
Senator Paul Scarr, Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic and local councillors attended and supported the celebration.

GSIA also acknowledges the support and messages of goodwill from Charis Mullen MP, Shayne Neumann MP, Milton Dick MP, Jess Pugh MP, Cr David Martin, Cr Jacob Madsen and Cr Pye Augustine, along with the continued support of Cr Paul Tully.
The Queensland Police Service once again supported the event, helping create a safe environment for families.

We also sincerely appreciate 1300 Medics volunteers for providing first-aid support throughout the evening.
The messages of support from the Premier of Queensland and Lord Mayor of Brisbane were also greatly appreciated.

Community Organisations Working Together

GSIA was proud to have the support of other community organisations, including FICQ President Dr Preethi Suraj and her team, the Hindu Council of Australia and many other community groups and leaders. Their support represents something bigger than one event. It shows what can happen when community organisations work together rather than separately — we can create something that benefits everyone.

Our Volunteers Are Our Biggest Strength. If there is one group that deserves special recognition, it is our volunteers. They give their time without expecting anything in return. They arrive early, stay late, solve problems, assist families, coordinate activities, support performers, manage stalls and help wherever they are needed. Many of them have their own work, families and responsibilities, yet they still make time for the community.

That is the real spirit of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night. The lights, music, stage and decorations may create the visual magic, but it is the volunteers who create the heart of the event.

Thank You to Our Sponsors. Our sincere thanks also go to all our sponsors and supporting businesses. Their contribution helps make a large community event possible and allows GSIA to continue creating opportunities for families to come together and celebrate.

We are also proud that Dandiya Night provides an opportunity for local businesses, food vendors, clothing and jewellery businesses and other traders to connect with thousands of people. Community events can create both social and economic opportunities, supporting local businesses while bringing people together.

A Family Effort

For Mukesh Dubey and his family, Dandiya Night has become a personal commitment to the community. “Every year my whole family becomes involved. We treat this as our own family event. When you see thousands of people dancing, smiling and enjoying themselves, you forget about the sleepless nights and all the hard work.”

“The happiness on people’s faces makes everything worthwhile.” But Mukesh is quick to emphasise that the success does not belong to him. “This is not my event. This is our community’s event.” “I am fortunate to have a team that stands together like a family. Without our volunteers, sponsors, supporters, performers and the wider community, this event would simply not be possible.”

Five Years. Thousands of People. One Community.

Five years of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night means five years of memories, friendships, teamwork and community spirit. From a small community initiative to an event attracting more than 4,000 people, the journey has only been possible because people believed in the idea of coming together and celebrating together. To every volunteer who gave their time.

To every sponsor who supported us. To every performer who shared their talent. To every organisation that stood beside us. To every government representative and community leader who supported us.And to every single person who came, danced, smiled and celebrated with us —

THANK YOU.

Because at the end of the day, the biggest achievement of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is not the size of the crowd.

It is the community spirit that brings that crowd together.
Culture brings us together.
Teamwork makes us stronger.
Community makes it possible.
Together, We Are One.

Indian Film Festival of Perth Announces Inaugural Edition, Set to Celebrate Indian Cinema in Western Australia from November 12-15

Four-day festival to showcase more than 30 films across Indian and South Asian languages, bringing Indian cinema, filmmakers and audiences together in Perth.
Indian cinema is set to make its mark in Western Australia with the inaugural Indian Film Festival of Perth, taking place across multiple locations in Perth from 12–15 November 2026.

The festival is the latest expansion of the team behind the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) and Indian Film Festival of Sydney, New South Wales (IFFS NSW), bringing the diversity of Indian and South Asian cinema to audiences in Western Australia.

The announcement was made during Western Australian Premier Hon Roger Cook MLA’s visit to India, where he announced the festival during his keynote address, highlighting the growing cultural and creative ties between India and Western Australia.

The inaugural festival will showcase more than 30 films across Indian and South Asian languages and welcome a select group of celebrated Indian filmmakers to Perth.
Announcing the festival, Western Australian Premier, Hon Roger Cook MLA said, “I am pleased to announce the inaugural Indian Festival of Perth, which will take place across multiple locations in Perth from November 12th to November 15th this year.

The festival will showcase more than 30 films across Indian and South Asian languages. And the inaugural festival will welcome a select group of celebrated Indian Filmmakers who will get to witness Western Australian hospitality and visit Perth Film Studio”.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, who is behind both the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and Indian Film Festival of Sydney, NSW said, “We are incredibly excited to bring Indian cinema to Perth for the very first time. The launch of the Indian Festival of Perth is a natural extension of what we have been building across Melbourne and Sydney, and it is wonderful to now create a platform for audiences in Western Australia to experience the incredible diversity of Indian and South Asian cinema.

Beyond the films, we hope the festival will create meaningful connections between filmmakers, audiences and the wider creative community, and open up new conversations and collaborations between India and Western Australia.”

The launch further strengthens the cultural bridge between India and Australia, with the festival creating a new platform for Indian storytelling in Western Australia and expanding the footprint of Indian cinema across the country.

Greater Springfield Dandiya Night 2026
Five Years of Togetherness, Teamwork and Community Spirit

What began as a community celebration has grown into one of the region’s much-loved multicultural events — but the real success of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is not measured by the number of people who attend. It is measured by the people who come together to make it happen. The fifth Greater Springfield Dandiya Night at Robelle Domain Parklands was a beautiful celebration of Indian culture, music, dance and devotion, with more than 4,000 people coming together to enjoy the evening.

But behind those thousands of smiling faces were months of planning, countless conversations, late nights, hard work and, most importantly, a dedicated team of volunteers who gave their time and energy simply because they wanted to do something special for their community.

This Is Our Community Event

Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is not one person’s event.
It belongs to the community.
It is the result of people putting their hands up to help, families giving their time, volunteers taking responsibility, businesses providing support, performers sharing their talent and community organisations coming together with one common purpose.
GSIA President Mukesh Dubey said the event’s growth over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding, but the achievement belongs to the entire team.

“An event of this size does not happen because of one person. It happens because people come together. There are many sleepless nights, countless hours of planning and a lot of work that people never see. But our greatest strength is our team and our volunteers.”
“They are more than volunteers to me — they are family. Everyone contributes in their own way, and together we make this event possible.”

The Power of Teamwork

From the initial planning meetings to the final clean-up, there are hundreds of tasks involved in bringing an event of this scale to life.
Venue coordination, performers, food stalls, community stalls, sponsorships, advertising, stage programs, volunteers, safety, first aid, logistics, entertainment and crowd management all require people working together.

And that is where the true spirit of Dandiya Night shines.
Everyone has a role. Everyone contributes. Everyone matters.
The incredible atmosphere people experienced on the night was the result of a much bigger team working behind the scenes.

Thousands Came Together

As the sun went down, Robelle Domain Parklands came alive with colour, music and celebration. Thousand of people enjoyed an evening filled with Garba and Dandiya, traditional dress, DJ music, cultural performances, food, children’s activities, shopping stalls and plenty of family entertainment.

People of all ages and backgrounds joined the celebrations, creating a wonderful atmosphere of friendship, happiness and togetherness.
For many families, it was not simply a night of dancing — it was an opportunity to meet friends, make new memories and share Indian culture with the wider community.

A Night of Culture and Devotion

The evening showcased the richness of Indian culture through music, dance and spiritual traditions. The spectacular Dhol Tasha performance by Shivam Vadhya Pathak was one of the highlights, filling the parklands with powerful beats and incredible energy. The cultural performances and Diwali-themed presentations added colour and excitement to the evening, while Goddess Durga Pooja and Aarti brought a beautiful spiritual dimension to the celebration.

It was a reminder that culture is not only about entertainment — it is also about faith, tradition, identity and passing our heritage to the next generation.
CONTD. ON PG 24
CONTD. FROM PG 22

We Are One

One of the most important messages behind Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is simple:
We Are One. The event welcomed people from different cultures, backgrounds and communities to celebrate together.

The support from numerous community organisations and multicultural groups demonstrated the strength of collaboration across Greater Springfield and the wider region.
Different communities may have different traditions, but events like this show how easily we can come together through friendship, respect and celebration.

Thank You to Our Supporters

GSIA is deeply grateful for the support received from government representatives, local councillors, MPs, community leaders, organisations, sponsors and well-wishers.
Senator Paul Scarr, Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic and local councillors attended and supported the celebration.

GSIA also acknowledges the support and messages of goodwill from Charis Mullen MP, Shayne Neumann MP, Milton Dick MP, Jess Pugh MP, Cr David Martin, Cr Jacob Madsen and Cr Pye Augustine, along with the continued support of Cr Paul Tully.
The Queensland Police Service once again supported the event, helping create a safe environment for families.

We also sincerely appreciate 1300 Medics volunteers for providing first-aid support throughout the evening.
The messages of support from the Premier of Queensland and Lord Mayor of Brisbane were also greatly appreciated.

Community Organisations Working Together

GSIA was proud to have the support of other community organisations, including FICQ President Dr Preethi Suraj and her team, the Hindu Council of Australia and many other community groups and leaders. Their support represents something bigger than one event. It shows what can happen when community organisations work together rather than separately — we can create something that benefits everyone.

Our Volunteers Are Our Biggest Strength. If there is one group that deserves special recognition, it is our volunteers. They give their time without expecting anything in return. They arrive early, stay late, solve problems, assist families, coordinate activities, support performers, manage stalls and help wherever they are needed. Many of them have their own work, families and responsibilities, yet they still make time for the community.

That is the real spirit of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night. The lights, music, stage and decorations may create the visual magic, but it is the volunteers who create the heart of the event.

Thank You to Our Sponsors. Our sincere thanks also go to all our sponsors and supporting businesses. Their contribution helps make a large community event possible and allows GSIA to continue creating opportunities for families to come together and celebrate.

We are also proud that Dandiya Night provides an opportunity for local businesses, food vendors, clothing and jewellery businesses and other traders to connect with thousands of people. Community events can create both social and economic opportunities, supporting local businesses while bringing people together.

A Family Effort

For Mukesh Dubey and his family, Dandiya Night has become a personal commitment to the community. “Every year my whole family becomes involved. We treat this as our own family event. When you see thousands of people dancing, smiling and enjoying themselves, you forget about the sleepless nights and all the hard work.”

“The happiness on people’s faces makes everything worthwhile.” But Mukesh is quick to emphasise that the success does not belong to him. “This is not my event. This is our community’s event.” “I am fortunate to have a team that stands together like a family. Without our volunteers, sponsors, supporters, performers and the wider community, this event would simply not be possible.”

Five Years. Thousands of People. One Community.

Five years of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night means five years of memories, friendships, teamwork and community spirit. From a small community initiative to an event attracting more than 4,000 people, the journey has only been possible because people believed in the idea of coming together and celebrating together. To every volunteer who gave their time. To every sponsor who supported us. To every performer who shared their talent. To every organisation that stood beside us. To every government representative and community leader who supported us.And to every single person who came, danced, smiled and celebrated with us —

THANK YOU.

Because at the end of the day, the biggest achievement of Greater Springfield Dandiya Night is not the size of the crowd.

It is the community spirit that brings that crowd together.
Culture brings us together.
Teamwork makes us stronger.
Community makes it possible.
Together, We Are One.

Shivah Saktya Yukto: A Captivating Celebration of Shiva, Shakti and Bharatanatyam

Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam, under the direction and guidance of its Guru, Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram, recently presented a captivating Margam performance by its senior students. Entitled “Shivah Saktya Yukto – The Ineffable Genesis of Creation,” the production explored the eternal union of Lord Shiva and His consort, Goddess Shakti, through the rich vocabulary of Bharatanatyam.

Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram has established a reputation for her creativity in choreography, thoughtful costume selection, inclusive approach to teaching and disciplined training. These qualities were evident throughout the performance. Her considered selection of music and carefully crafted choreography gave each dancer an opportunity to display their individual skills while contributing to the overall narrative of the production.

A particular highlight was the Varnam, traditionally the most elaborate and demanding item in a Margam. The first section brought to life two stories centred on Lord Shiva, while the second portrayed Lord Natesha performing the cosmic dance. The choreography gave the dancers considerable scope for expressive abhinaya, and several dancers were particularly impressive in their ability to transform from one character into another with remarkable ease and clarity, bringing the stories vividly to life.

The performances by the adult students were also noteworthy. Their presentations, including Pushpanjali and Aigiri Nandhini, demonstrated confidence, agility and grace. Their participation reflected Smt Padmalakshmi’s commitment to nurturing dancers at different stages of their artistic journey and providing each student with opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities.

The other items in the Margam — Ganga Alarippu, Thirukoneshwarar Kauthuvam, Shakti Thandavam, Kalabhairava Ashtakam, Theruvil Varano, Thillana, Dheena Karunakarane Nataraja and Ardhanarishwara Stotram — were presented with equal care and contributed to the richness and variety of the evening.

The visual appeal of the production was enhanced by the vibrant costumes worn by the dancers. The colours complemented the choreography and added to the grace and finesse of the presentation. Particularly refreshing was the costume worn by the most senior batch. It successfully introduced a contemporary touch while retaining the essential elegance and traditional character of the Bharatanatyam costume.

Another commendable aspect of the production was Lalithakalaya School’s decision to engage local artists for the accompanying orchestra. This provided talented musicians within the local community with a valuable platform to perform, gain exposure and further develop their skills. Their contribution added greatly to the quality and atmosphere of the evening.

The orchestra comprised Smt Priyadarshini Swaminathan on Vocals, Shri Ruddra Dorairajan on Mridangam, Shri Ashwin Narayanan on Violin, Kumari Vindhyavasini Sureshchandra on Veena and Shri Sharujan Mahendraraj on rhythm pad. Their collective contribution helped make the performance a memorable musical and artistic experience.

Adding another dimension to the evening was Guru Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram’s nattuvangam, which demonstrated her growing mastery and confidence as a nattuvangam artist. Her rhythmic command provided a strong foundation for the dancers and reflected the depth of her involvement in every aspect of the production.

“Shivah Saktya Yukto” was a celebration of Bharatanatyam, artistic discipline, inclusivity and the wealth of talent within the local community. Congratulations to Lalithakalalaya School of Bharatanatyam, Guru Smt Padmalakshmi Sriram, the dancers, musicians and everyone involved in staging yet another well-organised and culturally enriching programme.

INDIA AT 100 — 2047
What Makes a Nation Truly Prosper?
Reflections on India’s 80th Independence Day and its future potential

Contd. from previous edition

identity becomes more important than shared humanity and citizenship.
The deeper question is therefore not simply whether we tolerate people who are different from us.
It is:

Can we genuinely desire their flourishing?

Can people of different faiths defend one another’s dignity? Can communities celebrate each other’s achievements? Can those with greater opportunity help create opportunities for those historically excluded? Can political opponents disagree strongly without treating one another as enemies?

These questions are not directed at one religion, party, caste or community.
They belong to all of us. Unity does not require uniformity. A confident nation can allow deep differences while building around shared commitments to dignity, justice, responsibility and the common good.

The opportunity of the Indian diaspora

The Indian diaspora may also be one of India’s greatest resources for the next generation.
Millions of people of Indian origin now live across the world. In 2024 alone, India received an estimated US$129 billion in remittances, the highest amount received by any country.
That contribution is remarkable.

Yet the diaspora may have something even more valuable to contribute than money.
Indians living in Australia, Singapore, Britain, the United States, Canada, the Gulf and elsewhere have experienced different approaches to workplaces, institutions, public administration, entrepreneurship, civic responsibility and accountability.

Those experiences can become bridges rather than comparisons.
The question should not be, “Why can’t India simply become like another country?”
India’s scale, history and diversity make that too simplistic.
A better question is:

“What have we learned elsewhere that might be useful at home?”
That may mean mentoring a young entrepreneur, investing in productive businesses, transferring technology, supporting education, sharing professional standards, encouraging ethical business practices or creating international networks.
It may also mean modelling something simple but powerful:
success does not require compromising character.

Another ancient teaching captures this principle of stewardship:
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” — Luke 12:48 (NIV)
Education is stewardship.
Wealth is stewardship.
Influence is stewardship.
Citizenship is stewardship.
Opportunity is stewardship.
For Indians living abroad, the question might therefore gently shift from “What has India given me?” towards “What have I learned, received or achieved that could now help someone else?”

What can India learn from other nations?

History offers useful comparisons, provided we make them humbly. South Korea endured war, authoritarian rule and deep hardship before becoming a prosperous, democratic and technologically advanced society.

Singapore, though vastly smaller than India, transformed itself through sustained investment in people, infrastructure, trade, public institutions and long-term planning.
Neither country is perfect. Neither offers a template India can simply copy. The useful lesson is not imitation. It is reflection.

Countries that have successfully moved towards high-income status have generally invested consistently in human capability, infrastructure, productive enterprise, global engagement, capable institutions and long-term thinking.
India must create its own path. Yet there may be a deeper principle that applies across nations:

Culture eventually influences economics.

What people believe influences behaviour. Repeated behaviour becomes habit. Shared habits influence culture. Culture shapes institutions. Institutions affect trust, productivity and opportunity. And those forces help determine what the next generation inherits.
Imagine India at 100

Let us imagine India in 2047—not merely richer, but more confident, capable and compassionate.

Imagine a country where every child has a genuine opportunity to develop his or her potential; where women can safely learn, work, create businesses and lead; where entrepreneurs spend more time innovating and less time navigating unnecessary complexity.

Imagine public money being treated as a public trust. Imagine leadership meaning responsibility rather than privilege. Imagine religious identity never diminishing human dignity. Imagine disagreement producing dialogue rather than hatred and success producing generosity rather than arrogance. Imagine Indians across the world contributing not only money, but also knowledge, mentoring, investment, integrity and service.
Political independence came in 1947. Economic liberalisation accelerated in 1991.

India’s digital revolution has opened another extraordinary chapter. Perhaps the next transformation is not only something government must do for us.
Perhaps it is also something we can build together.

That means strengthening honesty rather than normalising corruption, widening opportunity rather than protecting privilege, choosing dialogue over division, responsibility over entitlement and service over status.

No government alone can create such a culture. No political party owns these values.
And no religious community can claim them simply because its sacred writings contain noble teachings.

Values become powerful when people live them.

That brings us back to the ancient words with which we began:
“Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Perhaps the word greatness deserves a richer definition.

Greatness is not only GDP, military strength, skyscrapers, billionaires or technological achievement.

A truly great nation also develops people who use freedom responsibly, treat power as stewardship, protect human dignity, pursue justice and leave something better for those who follow.

India has already demonstrated what Indian intelligence and determination can accomplish.
Its scientists have reached the Moon. Its engineers build global technology. Its doctors serve across continents. Its entrepreneurs create international companies. Its diaspora contributes throughout the world.

The question is no longer whether India has potential.
History has answered that.

The more hopeful question is what may become possible when character grows alongside capability; when wisdom accompanies knowledge; when responsibility accompanies freedom; when service accompanies leadership; when generosity accompanies prosperity; and when truth and human dignity become stronger than fear and division.

If those foundations continue to grow, India’s greatest days may still lie ahead.
As India journeys towards its hundredth year of independence, perhaps history invites every Indian—at home and abroad—to ask two questions:

We gained political freedom in 1947. How can we use that freedom more wisely?
And:
What kind of people must we become for India to become the nation we know it can be?
The answer will not come from one leader, one government, one religion or one generation.
It will emerge from millions of choices, made day after day, by people willing to reflect, learn, contribute and build.
India at 100 begins with us.
Reflect. Learn. Contribute. Build.

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