Mohan Samant, Cy Twombly, Yayoi Kusama | Image: Mansi Vithlani
Like Christmas, there are many ways to explore Diwali, continue your celebrations and participate in the most widely admired festival in the Hindu calendar.
Multiple Artists | TikTok: Mansi Vithlani
New beginnings, virtue triumphing over evil, and light over darkness are three fundamental elements of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain festival of Diwali.
The beauty of Diwali is that traditions can be found wherever you are, connecting to the Hindu belief that God is omnipresent. Although celebrated on November 4 this year, the festival of light will continue to illuminate London with an abundance of art exhibitions and light displays.
Intrigued by the festivities? Read our roundup of exhibitions to facilitate a sense of connection and appreciation for other cultures as you immerse yourself in the luminous nature of Diwali.
Extravagant firework displays
Fireworks, sparklers, and lighting diyas – three images that come to mind when you think of Diwali. The festival celebrates the power of light over darkness, so those who celebrate will light diyas in their homes, not only to welcome Rama and Sita, but to inspire good over evil.
The Yayoi Kusama exhibit at the Tate Modern is the perfect way to immerse yourself in an abundance of gleaming hues, minus the streaking squeals of pyrotechnics. Although sold out until March 2022, more tickets are to be released later in the year before the exhibition closes in June 2022.
Enriching colours
Another way to experience Diwali is to visit the LUX exhibition at 180 The Strand – an interactive and immersive spectacle that uses artificial intelligence for the art installations.
Visiting through the lens of Diwali allows you to enter a dimension of striking, psychedelic artworks, with the optical illusions encouraging you to find the light. The art’s expressive nature resembles the magic of Diwali.
Rangoli designs
Rangoli – so abstract and an art within itself. It represents positivity and liveliness, designed to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of riches and good fortune.
Zeid’s oil-paint-on-canvas piece immediately evokes the attractive and innovative Rangoli patterns Hindus decorate their homes with. Zeid’s artwork is formulated of shapes and striking colours similar to that of Rangolis, where abstract silhouettes are filled with paint, watercolours and dyed rice.
Pre-ceremony rituals
Before rituals such as the Chopda Puja or Lakshmi Puja proceed, many Hindus may tie a red string to their wrist and apply a red chandlo (bindhi) to their forehead. Cy Twombly’s extravagant canvas with dramatic red swirls highlights this sacrament and instantly prompts thoughts of the pre-ceremony ritual.
Although Twombly engages with ancient history and Greek myths, the intensity of the red resonates with that of the string. The tying is a symbolic act that is said to purify you before ceremonial activities commence.
Worshipping and praying
As mentioned, many at Diwali perform the Lakshmi Puja, an important ritual to invite goddess Lakshmi into your home. The Tate Modern celebrates artists from all backgrounds and one that catches the eye is Indian artist Mohan Samant — specifically one of his untitled pieces.
Interpreted as spiritualism and the Gods that are worshiped on Diwali, using graphite, watercolours, and paint-on-canvas, Samant delicately depicts several figures surrounded by a dramatic palette, suggesting they should be worshiped. As per Hindu mythology, this custom grants you power, success, and prosperity — elements that are reflected in Samant’s artwork.
