Let there be Diwali

PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON PATRICK HAMILTON

DIWALI DANCERS: The Desi Boys, Bollywood Dance Champions from Wellington, perform at Diwali 2009 celebrations in the Nelson School of Music on Sunday.

COLOURFUL COMBOS: Jeni Bhatiya of Nelson (left), Parbati Aran of Atawhai, Mayuri Patel of Nelson and Khushbu Maisuria of Richmond.

HAPPY DIWALI: Bishnu Aran of Nelson and twelve year old Krishna Maisuria of Richmond enjoy the festivities.

STOKED: Lindsay and Cheril Barber (left) with Sonia Thaler and Alf Blair, all of Stoke.

INDIA THE GROOVE: The Desi Boys in full swing.

DESI DIWALI: MC Katrina Smith is surrounded by the Desi Boys, at Diwali 2009 celebrations in the Nelson School of Music on Sunday. From left are; Alpesh Patel, Pratiic Patel, Katrina Smith, Hitesh Patel, Sugar Patel, Sandip Valand and Lalit Kumar

DANCING QUEEN: Rasleen Kaur of Nelson dances at Diwali 2009 celebrations in the Nelson School of Music on Sunday.

BHANGRA BOYZ: The Punjabi Boyz of Tauranga wait for their time on stage at Diwali 2009 celebrations in the Nelson School of Music on Sunday. From left are; Varinder Sidhu, Rajveen Gill, Marpreet Bains, Gurjeet Gill and Antanyit Dhillon.

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The Nelson School of Music rocked to a different tune on Sunday as about 300 people took part in Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.

The crowd was entertained by folk and Bollywood dancers. Nelson Mail photographer Patrick Hamilton captured some of the festivity.

Peformers at the Nelson School of Music Diwali celebration included The Desi Boys, a group of Bollywood dancers from Wellington, and the Punjabi Boyz of Tauranga. It included Nelson dancers performing the Dandiya, a folk dance from the Gujarat state, and the Giddha, a Punjabi women's dance.

The event was organised by members of Nelson's Indian community, including Raj Singh, who said it was a great night out.

"Diwali is like Christmas in New Zealand, all the families get together. It's good to share our culture with our Kiwi friends."

The event sold out within a few weeks of tickets going on sale. The food was made available by Nelson restaurant Mango.

Cultures which traditionally celebrate Diwali do so by lighting small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, many wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with each other. Around the world, some Indian business communities start their financial year by opening new account books on the first day of Diwali for good luck in the year that follows.