"India: Land of Timeless Traditions" was the theme of the November General Meeting, so those who attended were entertained with a glimpse of Indian traditions, dances and feasts.

Each visitor was welcomed by a red tikka ceremoniously placed on the forehead and a shower of rose petals. While we waited for the show to begin, we looked at some intricately embroidered shawls and handwoven silk saris that the ladies had brought in for display. An exquisite selection which left many of the visitors wondering out loud when their next trip to India would be, and where such lovely pieces were to be found.

The programme was a recreation of seven representative Indian celebrations. After the diya (oil lamp or candle) was lit by Patsy to officially begin the presentation, five girls (daughters of UNWA members) performed a charming invocation dance.

This was followed by a celebration of Diwali, the festival of the lights, which is perhaps one of the most well-known of the Indian festivals. The common practice is to light small diyas and place them around the house, in gardens, verandahs, on rooftops and outerwalls. In urban areas, candles are sometimes substituted for the diyas and the nouveau riche use Christmas lights or neons to substitute for the candles. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama’s homecoming to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival. It also heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.

A girl dressed up in a red sari with gold ornaments as the bride in an enactment of Roce, one day before a Catholic wedding in southern India. A week before the big event, the whole village gathers in the bridal home bringing the best of their produce: a fatted calf, a pumpkin, sheep, rice, vegetables or grain all for the family that celebrates the wedding. On Roce, the day before the wedding, the bride is blessed with coconut milk and coconut oil, signifying prosperity in her married life, and there is eating, singing and dancing until the early hours of the morning. Viewers at the Roce of the UNWA meeting were urged to join in the dance around the bride—although we didn’t manage to dance into the early hours, we did manage to recreate the gaiety of the occasion!

We also observed the rituals that take place during Karwa Chauth. Karwa Chauth is a fast undertaken by many married Hindu women who offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, wellbeing, and longevity of their husbands. Following a bath well before dawn, the women puts on new clothes and eats a meal of very select grains and fruits. For the remainder of the day, the women abstain from eating. In principle, the fast is not broken until the moon is sighted at night, and in urban areas, almost all children are sent to the rooftops to see if the moon is visible, and if sighted, the news spreads quickly through the neighbourhood and the women make their way to the rooftops where an offering of water and flowers makes the worship complete.

Next in the programme was the making of a floral carpet called Atta Pu (The Star). It is part of the Onam—the Harvest Festival celebrated in Kerala (southern India), one of the most culturally rich states of India. On the first day of Onam, flower petals are used to design a small flower or ‘star’ on the floor. Additional flowers are added on subsequent days until on the tenth day an enormous flower carpet is woven. In addition, 13-14 different types of vegetables are served on banana leaves, all in the belief that the King Mahabale will visit his devotees during this time.

Qawwali is a musical form closely linked to the sufic traditions of Islam and the particular practices that Sufi scholars developed to achieve closeness to God. A distinctive style of music, it originated from ‘qual’ or the mystical sayings of Sufi saints. During the 13th century Sufism was fast making a foray into the Indian consciousness and qawwali incorporates all basic elements of Hindustani classical music. However, as times are changing, qawwali too has evolved to match the music of the newer generation. We were given a rendition of the famous Nade Ali Pahr Nade Ali (May Ali Help you and Call Ali).

For the finale, the ladies performed the Garbah. It originates from a Rajasthani dance and is traditionally part of Navrathi which goes on for nine days to fast and pray to the Goddess Durga. All the ladies wore a cotton or silk sari in a typical tie and dye print called ‘Bandhini’ hailing from Gujarat. Using wooden sticks to tap out the rhythm, the ladies danced in choreographed harmony. A pity this article cannot be accompanied by video footage, as words are so inadequate to fully describe the sounds and beauty of the whole show.

After the show, we had a chance to taste some Indian delicacies: Khandvi; Channa Puri; Dhokla; Aloo Tikki; Idli with Sambar and coriander chutney; Gajjar Halwa; Kesri, etc. A wonderful feast to end a wonderful morning.