19 Oct 2016

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Christchurch police officers will make a special Bollywood-style guest appearance at this year’s Diwali festival.

Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival also known as the festival of lights. It has become a popular annual event for both the local Indian community and the wider community.

The Indian Social and Cultural Club has been organising Diwali celebrations in Christchurch for the past eight years. The festival has grown steadily over the years and Thomas Shaji, Club treasurer, says this year’s event will be “bigger and brighter than ever” with a crowd of up to 12,000 people expected.

Held this Saturday, October 22, at the Horncastle Arena in Addington from 3pm until 6pm, it will feature 312 performers and include a Bollywood-influenced dance performance by eight members of the New Zealand Police. The officers were invited to perform in the spirit of building links between the Indian community and the local police force.

Mr Shaji said the male and female officers were dance novices who were being trained to perform the routine and it will be their first public appearance.

Other music and dance performances includes a Latin American dance group, Australian performers and a traditional Sikh Ghatka group from Auckland. There will be trade stalls selling Indian dresses and shoes, displays of Indian art, and Indian food stalls.

 Performers started practising months ago, and weekly rehearsals are underway to ensure the event runs smoothly.

 Updates on the event are being made on the Indian Social and Cultural Club’s Facebook page. Entry is $10 for adults and free for children aged under five.