Do Diwali the Leicester way!

By Princy Jain

Celebrate Diwali the way they do! Every year more than 10000 lights are lit to kickstart 15-days long Diwali celebration replete with live performances, special exhibitions and a street party where more than 35000 happy faces dance to Indian music while feasting on an array of dishes from the variety Indian food. Even a 110-foot Ferris wheel, which is fondly called the Diwali Wheel of Light, is put up in the middle of what they call a – Diwali Village.

Woooohh… I am so thrilled to bring you a story of an immense cultural exchange. Imagine a city far away in United Kingdom, where the migrants from India and the locals see Diwali as a symbol of cultural unison rather than just a religious festival. And this is why they celebrate Diwali not as a weekend (like we do, in India) or a three-day long festival-ala most places in the world, but as a two-week long planned elaborate affair. To the extent, that Diwali celebration is almost synonymous to Leicester’s identity on the global map. Indeed, their official tourism website, opens with a stunning photo of a street adorned with millions of Diwali-lights on the both sides.

Since, I am, born with a permanent festive mode in my brain, I was immediately excited when a friend told me about his plans of celebration Diwali in Liecester with his extended family.

Ms Pysmatic [meaning: someone who’s forever questioning} Jain, that I am! I googled about Leicester, UK.  And Voila! I found a guide on their official tourism website, which had detailed information on Diwali 2019.

Indeed, I loved the way, the City Mayor – Sir Peter Soulsby had shared his greetings in the Diwali Guide, “Leicester is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country and it is with great pride that we host one of the largest Diwali events outside of India. As one of our most important and prestigious festivals it has grown from strength to strength as the main attraction in the festival calendar of the city.”

The deputy city mayor Piara Singh Clair, who was born in Punjab and migrated to Leicester in 1970, echoed Sir Soulsby’s festive fervour, “Diwali is a time for people from many cultures to come together in a spirit of friendship and greater understanding. It also serves as a wonderful time of year for family and friends to celebrate and for those visiting Leicester to share in these celebrations, may we give you the warmest of welcomes on behalf of our city.”

Leicester, is a city in England east midland region. Indeed, it will not be a wrong to say that Leicester is Britain’s first Asian majority city and ethnically most diverse place in Britain. Indeed, as per a survey done in 2013, the white Britons were found in minority in the city. Juxtaposing, with Asian community comprising of both from India and Pakistan, especially in the east and north-eastern Leicester, now accounts more than 54 percent of total population of the region. Regions like Latimer, Belgrave, Spinney hills have more than 70 percent Indian population.

Apparently, soon after second World War II, Great Britain faced a severe labour shortage. Industries, with the support of the government, invited people from across the British Commonwealth to come to United Kingdom since there were plenty of jobs in factories, transport and across industrial sector. During the 1950s and 1960s, Indians and Pakistanis poured into Leicester to work in the textile industry, which existed then. These men settled down in Leicester. Consequently, they purchased houses and offices, and brought over their families. The 1970s saw a big influx of Gujarati Indians. This in a way marked an important milestone in Leicester’s post war immigration history. Interestingly, this group did not come from India but from Uganda in East Africa. In 1972 then President Idi Amin summoned the deportation of the country’s 90,000 Asians, most of whom were Guajarati who used to work in the textile industry there.

It is believed that between 1968 and 1978, at least, 20,000 Asians came from East Africa and settled down in Belgrave, Rushey Mead and Melton Road, which is now called Indian Golden Mile popular for Indian jewellery shops, cinemas and restaurants. By 1980s, Leicester’s Asian population reached 60,000 – and now exceeds 100,000. The local residents take pride in maintaining their inter-ethnic relationship. “There is no such thing as majority here. Be it Hindu, Jain, Muslim or Sikh, we live here in harmony and peace. We celebrate our Eid and Vaisakhi, Paryushan or Diwali with equal fanfare,” said Meenaben Patel, talking to me from the middle of Diwali celebration at Belgrave.

Back in India, Diwali means exchange of gifts, creating houses that shine, and smell of all sinful sweets and savouries. Though we have grown up celebrating Diwali as the biggest festival in India, I am yet to come across an Indian city or culture where it is actually celebrated for fifteen days. Indeed, during our growing-up years, Diwali used to be a 5-day long affair. Starting with Dhanteras then Chotti Diwali [for some strange reason I love the name], followed by the mega Diwali day, culminating with Govardhan Puja and Bhaidooj during the last two days.

Oh! Back to the Leicester mega Diwali bash. The festivities begin with the grand event called Diwali Light Switch On. This event kickstarts two-week Diwali celebrations, which end on the Diwali day. After the switch-on at the Belgrave Road and adjoining areas, there are series of events planned. This year’s celebration was attended by a crowd of 25000 people. This time other big attraction for the day included the Giant Puppet Parade, where the art group called An Indian Summer, presented the story titled ‘Hanuman and Ravana’ showing them in a battle of the victory of good over evil. Then there was Helter Skelter Arts mega prop show, where a high energy show of sparkly fire and special effects was performed. Then there was stage performance too, which was a musical called ‘Bollywood Jane,’ based on our favourite Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.

During this fortnight, Leicester comes alive with an array of photo exhibitions, storytelling workshops, art and craft activities, needless to say loads of good shopping and exotic Indian food. I was curious to know how did this begin? I got my answer from a page titled storyofleicester.info.

Apparently, soon after the arrival of Asians in Leicester city, in 1950s & 60s, the families continued to follow their faith and religion. Diwali, being the most important festival, it became a time to show their solidarity to each other. These families would celebrate the festival, to feel comfortable in the new precincts, but inside their homes. As the Asian community grew over the decades, the Diwali celebration too grew bigger and more prominent.

In 1983, with the effort of community workers, councillors and officers, the first Diwali lights were switched on. Within a decade, Diwali celebration became a major festival, where the City Council, Security services, and emergency services were majorly involved. By 1990, Leicester’s Diwali celebration had become so huge that both local and Asian artist groups had started preparing exclusively for Diwali celebrations.

In last four decades, these celebrations have acquired a global recognition.

It feels great to learn about such a story of belonging and that too from the people of our own land. These families might have got displaced long back from their native soil, but the dazzle of India still shimmers on their gota-zari lined ethnic wear and that scrumptious fragrance of Indian tadka that still wafts from their kitchens.

Happy Diwali dear readers! Stay clean of all the evils in your brain, and let the goodness of your heart rule your being for the sake of humanity beyond the barriers of religion, faith and beliefs. Let it be one world and one mankind for all the festivals across the world.