Diwali at Grace Academy Solihull

At the end of October the Indian Festival of Light, Diwali, was acknowledged at our academy.  Students got to try some Indian food, such as vegetarian pakoras and Seekh kebabs with mint raita.

Year 7 art lessons also encompassed an element of Diwali, as students were able to make and decorate their own Diyas, which are traditional clay lamps that are placed around homes during Diwali celebrations for worship and decorative purposes.  The diyas may be decorated with simple motifs or have very intricate patterns in bright colours. They are then filled with oil and lit to symbolise the triumph of light over dark, good over evil.

Diwali is an important family celebration in Indian culture, similar in significance to Christmas, where families get together, homes are decorated, gifts are exchanged, fireworks are let off, puja (prayers) are observed and people gather to have feasts filled with savoury and sweet foods with loved ones. The story of diwali where good triumphs over evil was explored in RE Tutor sessions.