Devonshire Square’s Diwali Festival 2022

On 26th October, from 5.30pm to 8pm, Devonshire Square will be celebrating Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, by hosting in its atmospheric Western Courtyard the fourth edition of its very own and highly anticipated Diwali Festival.

The event is FREE to attend and will showcase some of India’s most beautiful and traditional visual arts, Rangoli – created on site by award-winning artist Miguel Rajaguru - and a spectacular dance show performed by some of the finest Indian folk, classical and contemporary dancers in the UK, presented by Akademi South Asian Dance UK.

This year’s programme will represent an imaginative journey through the enthralling diversity of Indian regions, from the Western coast to the North of India, and from the Eastern part of the continent to the South, whose traditions and legends will be narrated through the language of dance in an aesthetic and captivating way.

The Festival has been curated and organised by the Devonshire Square Events Team to celebrate the magnificence of Indian’s culture and arts, as well as its delicious cuisine.

During the event, guests will be treated to a complimentary tasting experience of Indian confectionary specialties and an assorted selection of Diwali canapés, served with the delicious "Odyssey Rose Nectar", an exquisitely delicate, velvety drink, inspired by traditional Indian rose milk, made with pure rose essence.

The drink has been exclusively created for Devonshire Square's Diwali Festival by the talented mixology artists of Cinnamon Kitchen, Devonshire Square’s iconic Indian restaurant, founded by internationally acclaimed celebrity chef Vivek Singh.

Artistic Programme

Traditional Rangoli art

The original Rangoli artwork that will decorate the Georgian limestone flooring of Devonshire Square’s Western Courtyard will be created on site by award-winning Rangoli artist Miguel Rajaguru.

Rangoli is an artform originating in the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground using materials such as coloured rice, dry flour, coloured sand or flower petals. It is usually made during Diwali or Tihar and other Hindu festivals. Designs are passed from one generation to the next, keeping both the art form and the tradition alive.

The artwork will be lit by candles, a visual representation of the word Diwali, which literally means ‘row of lights’.

Indian Classical, Folkloric and Contemporary Dance Show

Renowned London-based dance organization, Akademi South Asian Dance UK will present some of the most enlivening and visually engaging routines from the classical, folkloric, tribal and contemporary Indian dance repertoire, including an exciting and joyful Garba folk dance performance, mesmerizing Kathak and Kuchipudi classical dances shows, a beautiful Bengali celebratory folk dance, as well as an explosive Bolly-Bangra performance. All dances will be performed by highly accomplished artists from Akademi, dressed in stunning traditional costumes.

The event includes the participation of celebrity dance choreographer Chittal Shah (pictured) – haled by the BBC as the best Garba dance teacher in UK – who will captivate the audience with her exciting and beautifully executed Garba and Bolly-Bhangra performances.

The event is FREE to attend, however, registration through Eventbrite is strictly required as availability is limited.

For further information or if you have a query on the Devonshire Square’s Diwali Festival, please contact the Devonshire Events Team on [email protected] or call them on 020 7645 0800 and they will be delighted to assist you.

Photo credit © Patrizia Ilaria Sechi