The Dance Floor Takeover: Diwali Celebration of Light & Unity

A group of women in white outfits with orange sashes perform a traditional dance, posing with one hand raised in a gesture.

Curated by Sujata Banerjee Dance Company

With over four decades of experience in creating unforgettable cultural events, Sujata Banerjee Dance Company brings you a Diwali takeover like no other.

Join us for a spectacular free community celebration on The Dance Floor, where tradition meets rhythm and joy fills the air.

What to expect:

Family dance activities for all ages
Captivating performances in classical, folk, and Bollywood styles by professional artists, youth groups, and community dancers
Live Bhangra drumming to energise the space
Rangoli art in action, with hands-on activities for children
An exclusive kathak performance with live music
Free dancing with a DJ to close the celebration
Kathak, bhangra, Bollywood, and folk dance workshops throughout the day, open to all ages

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 11 October
10 am – 6 pm

The Dance Floor, Sadler’s Wells East

Free and open to all

Gallery

Programme schedule (subject to change):

10 am – 10:45 am	Family Freestyle with Showmi Das
11 am – 11:45 am	Family Freestyle with Showmi Das
12 pm – 3 pm	Rangoli
1 pm – 1:30 pm	Performances from communities:
	Sujata Banerjee Dance Company (SBDC) performances Tabla bols – clapping and chanting SBDC Youth group and SBDC Redbridge adults group
2 pm – 2:40 pm	Folk and Bollywood performances:
	Bhangra performance and Dhol solo performance, followed by a Bhangra workshop
3 pm – 3.40 pm	Dandiya performances:
	Dandiya (stick dance) display and workshop
4 pm – 5:30 pm	Classical Focus:
	Bharatanatyam performance and a rhythm clapping workshop, Odissi performance, followed by an Odissi workshop
5 pm – 5:20 pm	Indra-Dhanus – Diwali storytelling
5:30 pm – 6 pm	DJ and dancing

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.