All set for Deepavali light-up

The streets around Serangoon Road and Race Course Road will soon be transformed with colourful lights and decorations for Deepavali.

The light-up, which will run till Nov 12, will be launched by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at at the event marquee opposite Serangoon Plaza on Sept 17.

To kick off the celebrations that evening there will be an array of traditional and cultural performances by local artists and arts groups, including performances by those of other races.

For the first time, there will be two giant structures - a lotus with elephants and 20m-tall peacocks - on Serangoon Road and Kinta Road for the public to take photos with.

The social media savvy can tag their pictures on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #Deepavali2016.

The Festival Village on Campbell Lane and Hastings Road will be home to a shopping bazaar consisting of a mix of stalls offering Indian ethnic wear, costume jewellery, ornamental decorations, greeting cards, traditional sweets and delicacies, festive cookies, henna and more.

There will also be a crafts and heritage exhibition on Hastings Road, where a traditional craftsman and parrot astrologer will showcase their skills. The public can try their hand at pottery-making and make a sculpture of their own.

Visitors will also be treated to a medley of performances with music, dance and comedy at Clive Street every Friday and Saturday evening till Oct 28.

Also, dance and frolic at the Arts Carnival with art and photo exhibitions, interactive art installations, art jamming and sand art sessions on Hindoo Road.

The carnival will feature works based on Deepavali and Indian culture by students from the Lasalle College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, The School of the Arts and local painters.

Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association chairman Rajkumar Chandra said the festivities drew 1.6 million visitors last year. The association is expecting 2 million visitors this year.

 

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