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Celebrate India is proud to host a highly acclaimed Indian Kathak Dance Company, Abhyas Reprotory.

The seven member troupe of Abhyas is especially coming to perform for Diwali @ Fed Square, courtesy of ICCR and the Government of India.

Abhyas Reprotory was established in year 2008 under the guidance of Guru Pt. Krishna Mohan Maharaj.

It has grown to be recognised as one of the leading production companies acclaimed for its dramatic expressions, technical mastery and expansive yet nuanced movements. Theatrical and musical values are given equal importance in all its productions.

Abhyas has enriched the repertoire and techniques of Kathak dance by making it more compelling and relevant.

The versatility and virtuosity of the Abhyas dancers are much owed to the training imparted by Guru Pt. Krishna Mohan Maharaj.

Over the years Abhyas has performed in numerous festivals like Kathak Mahotsav, Purva Mahotsav, Akhil Bhartiya Sangeet Nritya Utsav, Yuva Mahotsav, Ras Banaras, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Nimrana Festival, and Sadhna Festival to name the few.

Some of its productions are Gati, Samavesh, Jeevan, Ullas, Smriti, Bahar E-Lucknow, Darbaari, Jashne-Bahar, Taleem, Chait ke Rang, Ang-Prasang, Tore Rang Rajwa, Kathak Nrityang, Rhythm etc.

We welcome Guru Pandit Krishna Mohan Maharaj to Melbourne along with his disciples, Minu Garu, Heena Wasen, Prarinita Khanna, Jaya Pathak, Nidhi Bhardwaj and Shubhi Mishra.

ABHYAS REPROTORY

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(ART IN PROGRESS)

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Illumination of the Iconic buildings for the Victorian Festival of Diwali @ Fed Square

¬ MCG

¬ Melbourne Star

¬ Museum

¬ Exhibition Building

¬ Old Treasury Building (in Indian Tricolours)

¬ Federation Square

¬ AFL House

¬ Indian Consulate

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Light has been universally associated with divinity or godliness. It signifies purity, source of goodness and knowledge.

On Diwali, traditionally earthen lamps with a cotton wick either filled with ghee or mustard oil are lit in the houses. They turn a moonless night into a beautiful and brighter than the full moon night. Overtime candles and colourful electric lights got included to the illumination.

The lights of Diwali convey an important message of togetherness, oneness and unity. One lamp can light many others without loosing its own light.

In year 2006, Celebrate India launched ‘Light for Diwali Competition’ which was very well received by the community throughout Victoria.

This year, our initiative is cross-cultural and we are encouraging the community to illuminate their homes and businesses from ‘DIWALI to X-MAS’ to build better understanding and spread joy and goodwill.

This competition is open for all to join and a chance to win a Return Ticket to India sponsored by Gaura Travels and many more prizes.

For more details, please refer to www.celebrateindia.org.au and www.facebook/CelebrateIndia/

LIGHT FOR DIWALI TO XMAS FB COMPETITION 2019

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INDIAN FOLK ART PROJECT:BEAUTIFYING FED SQUARE!

Every year, Celebrate India adds new dimensions to the Festival and endeavors to make a positive contribution towards our Victorian community.

One of the most unique and exciting initiatives of this year’s Diwali is the painting of the concrete blocks surrounding Federation Square.

A team of Celebrate India volunteers led by its Creative Head along with a few students from Melbourne University, embarked on this major mission of transforming the concrete blocks.

This enormous task took the team hundreds of hours over three weeks, and not to mention very sore backs and hands, to turn what many locals have described as “ugly” concrete blocks into a work of “Indian Folk Art.”

Hundreds of Melburnians and Tourists stopped by every day to thank the volunteers for beautifying the City.

Seeing the smile on people’s faces made this initiative a very fulfilling and rewarding one!

This artwork is now being enjoyed by thousands of passers by across our iconic Federation Square.

Turn to pages 32 and 33 for more photos

(BEFORE)

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DIWALI COMMITTEE 2019¬ Mr Surinder Dhar

¬ Mr Siddharth Singh

¬ Mr Dilip Banthia

¬ Mr Karthesan Murugesan

¬ Mr Chandrakant Nagamalli

¬ Mrs Manjit Bhamral

¬ Mr Naishad Gadani

¬ Mr Sandeep Kumar

¬ Mr Mangrish Bordawekar

¬ Mr Gurjit Bhamral

¬ Mrs Nildhara Gadani

¬ Mr Virendra Berera

¬ Mr Arun Sharma

¬ Mrs Vani Pandya

¬ Mrs Meera Dhar

¬ Mr Ajey Uppal

¬ Mrs Madhulika Banthia

¬ Mr Brijal Parikh

¬ Mr Shavin Nand

¬ Mr Krishna Valaboju

¬ Mr Ghanshyam Soni

¬ Ms Jan Maree

¬ Mr Surya Soni

¬ Mr Nikhil Soni

¬ Mr Ashish Chawla

¬ Mrs Jaya Sharma

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Celebrate India thanks the following organisations for their support

¬ Gujarati Association of Victoria

¬ Rajasthani Kutumb

¬ Vaishnav Sangh of Melbourne

¬ Uttrakhand Society of Australia

¬ Greek Community artists with Jhoom Bollywood, Dance Group

¬ Rangebank Primary School

¬ Victoria Police

¬ Medfoods Melbourne

¬ Giant Inflatables

¬ Digital Media & Co Pty Ltd

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Thank you to all sponsors

Celebrate India Inc. warmly invites all Victorians to join the festivities of much awaited annual event of Diwali at Fed Square, Melbourne.

For more information, visit www.celebrateindia.org.au