AIII’s colourful Diwali celebration in Melbourne

The Australian Indian Innovations Incorporated (AIII) reached out to Melbourne’s Indian community yet again during this year’s festive season with its Diwali Mela. Filled with fun activities, some wonderful cultural performances and mouth-watering food, this Diwali was spectacular.
The start of the traditional new year, it brought new beginnings to a whole host of new talent this time, in terms of entrepreneurs exhibiting at the fair, as well as performers on stage.

As the crowds gathered at Tatterson Park in Keysborough to enjoy the Diwali mood, they were joined by Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Inga Peulich, and Greater Dandenong Councillors Tim Dark, Heang Tak and Roz Blades.
Turned out it was Inga Peulich’s birthday on the day, and so the gathered community wished her cheerily. 

The rides outside satisfied our inner child, and then we ventured in for some pooja (prayers), and pate pooja (snacking).

 
Chef Aarati Ilanko’s Cake ‘n’ Chai was a wonderful Diwali surprise, with unique baked treats with flavours like mars, snickers, bounty, chai and falooda. Pooja Patel, the chocolatier for Chocolates by Design did well with her own inventive offerings of chocolates in paan and saunf flavours. Yummo! The more traditional fare like pani puris, lassis and pav bhajis were great too. 

On stage as well, the entire gamut from classical and traditional to modern and contemporary was represented. Ananda Dance Group’s semi-classical number dedicated to Ganesh was outstanding. The pumped-up Natya Entertainment brought us all-time favourites, and Bollywood Bindass, fast-paced and full on, took our breath way.

As night fell, a fabulous display of fireworks brought us the true thrill of Diwali.

– By Nikita Kulkarni