The Indian Association of Greater Danbury celebrates Diwali Festival

The Roger Park Middle School auditorium was once again the stage for the celebration

Award ceremony: From left - Emcee and award recipient Mini Pillai, Mina Patel, Jayshree Mehta, First Lady Phyllis Boughton, Harivadan Kantawala, Mayor Mark Boughton, Anindita Nanda, re-elected City Council Member Shay Nagarsheth, Pinakin Patel, Santosh Kumar, and Pragnesh Patel of the Festival of Lights, as the official holiday Diwali is popularly known.Diwali is a significant five-day festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, which occurs between the end of September and early November.

Hundreds of people attended the event at Rogers Park on Saturday, November 7, where 15 dance groups of different ages offered a spectacle of color, energy and beauty through their elaborate choreographies. An awards ceremony was also included in the program to recognize the work of community members that have diligently worked and dedicated their time to promoting a general awareness of Indian culture. Mayor Mark Boughton and First Lady Phyllis Boughton presented the awards to all recipients. An interesting fact about Diwali in the United States is that with the increasing Indian population, it has grown in its importance year after year. Diwali was first celebrated at the White House in 2003 and was given official status by the United States Congress in 2007. And this year, Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House.

Semi-Classical dance group with coreographer Anindita Nanda-Soortaal Indians in the United States celebrate Diwali in different parts of the country, just as in India.

Little Dreamers dance group with choreographer Jayanti Joshi Deshpande Performers of the Thillana in Hindola Raag-Kuchipudi dance with coreographer Divya Yeluri Children performing the Pushpanjali with choreographer Liza Joseph