Harmony through diversity
The Festival of India is in Surrey next weekend
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Updated: June 25, 2009 11:47 AM
If you go to the Festival of India in North Surrey next weekend, you ought not wander away from the stage for long or you're liable to miss something.
The festival is being billed as the first ever public classical South Asian event in B.C. that will represent multiple Indian states and cultures.
Presented by the Surrey-based Sanskrit Cultural Awareness Society, the free festival will feature music and dancing as well as numerous displays including food, jewelry, clothing and crafts from various regions.
"It's not only Punjab, but it's representing Bengali, Hindustani, Karnatak," says Rajesh Chawla, the society's director, adding there will be an instrumental competition as well as Bollywood dancers and singers. "India is so big, you cannot represent it all in one day."
Still, he guarantees as many states as possible will be front and centre and the stage will never be silent.
"Events will be very fast moving. Every 20 to 30 minutes there will be new groups presenting. There will not be a single moment empty on the stage."
The underlying purpose of the all-day outdoor festival, says Chawla, is to create awareness and "connect today's world with the wonders of 5,000 years of civilization" as well as ancient traditions and modern influences.
"It's important to do so that other communities know the real India so they can see the real heritage," Chawla says. "We are bringing every part of India here – as much as possible.
"India is not just one state. There is unity and differences but the diversity creates the joy and harmony. When you enjoy the diversity, you start enjoying and understanding each other more."
He's says it's also crucial that South Asians not only feel pride in their heritage, but are proud partners in Canadian culture.
An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people are expected to show up for the festival, to be held in Holland Park near 134 Street and Old Yale Road.
The Sanskrit Cultural Awareness Society has been around for more than a dozen years and was registered as a non-profit organization about seven months ago. The group's objectives include promoting understanding and respect among Canadians of various ethnic and religious backgrounds and building cultural bridges by organizing festivals, lectures and seminars.
Adding to the Surrey jalwa (extravaganza) will be plenty of prizes – including airline discount vouchers, grocery gift certificates and small appliances – given away every hour. Raffle tickets, one per family, will be handed out at the entrance and recipients must be present to win. There will also be mendhi, clowns, face painting and juggling.
Mostly, as the promotional poster states, the day will be about fun and masti.
"That means joy in Hindi," Chawla explains.
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