The Indian community has celebrated its cultural Festival of Lights and happiness, Diwali, in commemoration of their New Year.
The Diwali culture was performed by a 12-member Baba Gorekhnath Gotipua ICCR dance troupe at both the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Auditorium and India High Commission’s Office in Lagos recently.
Speaking on the festival, The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, His Excellency Abhay Thakur said the festival was being marked by Indians and friends across the globe as it also coincides with the harvest and New Year celebration.
The High Commissioner also said it was considered as a festival of new beginnings and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, noting that friends and relatives visit each other and exchange good wishes for the season on this day.
While explaining the traditional dance, Thakur described Gotipua meaning, single boy as a dance form in the Indian state of Odisha, and is the precursor of Odissi classical dance.
He further explained that such dance had been performed in Odisha for centuries by young boys, who dress as women to praise Lord Jagannath and Krishna.
“Diwali, the Festival of Lights and happiness is being marked by Indians and friends across the globe.
“It also coincides with the harvest and New Year celebration and is considered a festival of new beginnings and triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
“Many in India celebrate the fourth day out of the five days of the festival, which is today, as a New Year’s Day.
“On this day, friends and relatives visit each other and exchange good wishes for the season
“It has been performed in Odisha for centuries by young boys, who dress as women to praise Lord Jagannath and Krishna.” He said.
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