Lesson: Diwali Dance
Deepavali
For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Diwali or Divali is a contraction of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, that means “row of lamps”. Small clay lamps filled with oil are lighted to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps remain lit through the night and houses are cleaned to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. Firecrackers are burst to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes, and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. Diwali.
In some regions of the Indian subcontinent, is considered to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In the eastern state of Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. For Jains, Deepavali has an added significance to the event of Lord Mahavira attaining nirvana. Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita, his wife and Lakshman, his loyal brother, after a fourteen-year exile. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people lit up the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
Dance
Click here to download a pdf of Manju’s Diwali dance lesson.
To hear Manju’s pronunciation, click here.
To view a performance by the Berkshire-Hudson Valley chapter, click here.
See all posts by Manju Durairaj
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My K-8 students do a cross-curricular unit every winter on world religions with the hopes that they will perform a song or dance from each religion during our winter concert. It is sometimes difficult to find authentic, respectful, musical material that is also singable/playable for children. Thank you so much for this!
Do you by chance have a video link to show/share what the dance looks like?
We have added a video link to the post!
Hi Manju,
Do you have a recording of the dance and/or song? Thank you!
We have added a video link to the post!
So excited for a new Diwali song! We sing your other song every year (Diwali, Diwali, Diwali, Diwali, Diwali, Diwali, Hey xx Oh Hey xx)
Thank you for the pronunciation guide, but the words written for the second verse are not the same as what you say. Also, is there a video for the dance?
We have added a video link to the post!
Thanks for this nice lesson! I would love to see a video of students performing the dance.
We have added a video link to the post!
Is there a version of the song that can be downloaded? A video of the performance would be great, as well.
Thanks!
We have added a video link to the post!
Would love the music or video to show the dance. Thanks for sharing!
We have added a video link to the post!
A video of the dance and a recording would be most helpful!
We have added a video link to the post!
I have several students/families at school from India; thank you for sharing this. Can a video and/or recording of the song be shared?
We have added a video link to the post!
I like your dance and song thank you Manju and Happy Diwali!
Hi Everyone,
A video will be posted shortly.. The Berkshire Hudson Valley Chapter did the song and dance on Saturday 26 October.
Thank you, Manju! Happy Diwali!
Thank you so much!!! I want to try this as we have many students at our small school who are from Nepal and celebrate Diwali.
A parent recorded the second half of the text and granted permission for sharing the recording. Is there a way that I can post an audio file here?
This is amazing I have a segment in most of my lessons called ‘Cultural Celebration” and for my upcoming lesson I will definitely highlight this.
Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been looking everywhere for a respectful, authentic Diwali lesson for my first graders.
Hello Ms. Durairaj:
Thank you very much for your teaching on Diwali music. I truly appreciate your explanations, pronunciation guidelines, and videos. I would like to know if you could share the Orff arrangement that is played in the video performed by the Berkshire-Hudson Valley chapter,
Thanks in advance,
Inés Ramírez
Any chance I could get the Orff arrangement for this dance? It is SO cool.
Hi!
My students love singing this song and have been so curious about Diwali since I presented them this unit. I was wondering if you have / can guide me to where I can purchase an instrumental track for your song “Diwali Diwali” arranged by John Higgins featured on Music Express? I would love to include this in our upcoming December concert featuring different countries and cultures.
Thank you!
Manju,
Thank you so much for sharing. I would like to do this dance at a school presentation. I know there is a video link of the dance with the music. Is there any published recording of the song – or another song that would work well with the dance steps. At this presentation, I typically have recorded music with folk dances. Thanks for any additional info you can provide. :-). Thank you for your time.