Diwali, Vancouver, 2005

Photograph of an unidentified individual performing a cultural dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti… more

Photograph of an unidentified individual performing a cultural dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti… more

Photograph of an unidentified individual performing a cultural dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti… more

Photograph of an unidentified individual performing a cultural dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a major religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, and translates to "the Festival of Lights." The festival lasts five days: the first day is known as Dhanteras; followed by Choti… more

Photograph of religious idols at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). The religious idols depict Lord Ganesha and Lord Jagannath. Lord Ganesha is a Hindu deity and is considered the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. He is generally depicted as potbellied and elephant-headed. He is traditionally worshipped before any major… more

Photograph of religious idols and a group of unidentified individuals at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). The religious idols depict Lord Ganesha and Lord Jagannath. Lord Ganesha is a Hindu deity and is considered the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. He is generally depicted as potbellied and elephant-headed. He is… more

Photograph of Tarun Nayar and Neelamjit Dhillon performing a tabla and sitar rendition, respectively, at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Tarun Nayar is a musician and trained biologist. He has had formal training in Indian classical music since childhood and has been educated as a biologist. He is well-known as Modern Biology, an artist that… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training in India at the esteemed… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training in India at the esteemed… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani and an unidentified individual performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani and an unidentified individual performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani and an unidentified individual performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani and an unidentified individual performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani and an unidentified individual performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training… more

Photograph of Sitara Thobani and an unidentified individual performing odissi dance at a Diwali celebration held at the Vancouver City Hall in British Columbia (B.C.). Sitara Thobani first began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Lata Pada in the Bharatanatyam tradition. She began her training in the Odissi tradition under Dr. Ratna Roy in 1997. She has undertaken intensive training… more