‘Alpana’ makes debut at London mayor’s Diwali event today

Kolkata: Bengal’s “alpana” is making its maiden foray into London

mayor

Sadiq Khan’s “Diwali on Trafalgar Square” on Saturday. Members of Heritage Bengal Global (HBG), an organization of non-resident Bengalis, will present the famous intricate-white motifs at the mega Westminster event organized to celebrate London’s cultural diversity.

The event is themed on “return to light” and “the triumph of good over evil.” Londoners are looking forward to the mayor’s “Diwali” programme that had taken a Covid break last year. Conducted on a hybrid mode this time with a giant screen streaming the programme live between 4pm and 10pm (UK time) on Saturday, it will have “alpana” debuting as Bengal’s quintessential floor décor. The best artwork will be laid next to the beautiful Trafalgar Square centerpiece collage, by the Greater

London

Authority.

The “alpana”, in A3 size medium-density fibreboard, will be presented by HBG’s vice-president, Mahua Bej. Three Bengali women, Senjuti Dass, Anashmita Saha and Paramita Goswami, will regale the audience with their dance recitals. “This time, UK’s Bengali diaspora will celebrate Diwali at Trafalgar Square with the fervour of Kali, depicted in video clips on the history and tradition of land of the ‘Shakti’ or women-power,” said HBG director, Anirban Mukhopadhyay.

Co-director Pradip Chopra said, “The event has both religious and cultural aspects. HBG is looking forward to more collaborations with the mayor for cultural initiatives.”


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