Diwali Celebration A Grand Event of Fun and Friendship
Join us for a free celebration that brings the community together.
Curated by Sujata Banerjee Dance Company, with four decades of experience in presenting spectacular events, this day includes:
- Rangoli activities for families
- Captivating Indian dance performances, showcasing classical, folk and Bollywood styles
- Workshops for all
- Energetic Bhangra with live drumming
- Storytelling for children – highlighting Hanuman who stands for his devotion and bravery
- Exclusive Kathak performance
- Free dancing with a DJ
Everyone’s invited
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or simply want to soak in the festive spirit, this is your space to celebrate, connect, and move.
Let’s light up The Dance Floor – together.
Header image © Aleksandra Warchol
Saturday 17 October
12pm – 6pm
The Dance Floor
Sadler’s Wells East
Free and open to all
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Programme schedule (subject to change):
| 12pm – 1pm | Rangoli for the whole family, choose a material and help us build a beautiful design.
Happening throughout the day until 3pm |
| 1pm – 2pm | Performances with a Community focus:
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| 2pm – 4pm | Folk & Bollywood workshops & performances:
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| 4pm – 6pm | Classical Focus:
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About Sujata Banerjee Dancy Company (SBDC)
Founded in 1985 by artistic director and choreographer Sujata Banerjee MBE, SBDC is at the forefront of promoting and developing South Asian dance in the UK and internationally. We create, produce and tour new choreographic works, develop artistic partnerships across genres and through our training and mentoring programme, education and outreach projects and the SBDC dance academy, nurture the next generation of artists and promote access to and awareness of, South Asian music and dance in all its forms. For more information visit SBDC’s website.
About Sujata Banerjee
Is one of the UK’s most respected Kathak artists — a visionary choreographer, educator, and mentor with a global reputation. Having trained with legendary gurus in India and founded her first school at a young age, Sujata moved to the UK in 1982 and has since pioneered Kathak education and performance, including developing the ISTD Kathak syllabus and mentoring generations of dancers. Her innovative collaborations, deep commitment to inclusive dance education, and charismatic teaching style have made her a leading figure in the dance world. Honoured with an MBE and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Sujata continues to inspire through her artistry and leadership.
About Diwali
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the most celebrated Indian festival, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The word Deepavali means “row of lamps,” and the tradition of lighting lamps dates back to the return of Lord Rama and Queen Sita to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. On that moonless autumn night, the people of Ayodhya lit rows of diya lamps to guide their beloved king home and celebrate a new beginning. Today, Diwali continues to unite communities in joy, reflection, and celebration.
Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form where colourful patterns are created on the floor, typically at the entrance of homes or courtyards during festivals and celebrations. Derived from the Sanskrit words rang (colour) and aavalli (row of colours), Rangoli is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and positive energy, while welcoming guests and deities. During Diwali, homes are adorned with these vibrant designs made from coloured powders, flower petals, rice grains, sand, chalk, or pulses – each material adding texture and meaning to this joyful expression of culture.
