Diwali dancers learn new moves to mark festival

Dancers at South Asian Arts UK in Leeds practise the intricate moves which will help them tell the story of Diwali

Students at a charity set up to teach Indian classical dance and music have been honing their skills ahead of Diwali.

During rehearsals members of Leeds-based South Asian Arts UK (SAA-uk) used the traditional dance form kathak to depict the story of Diwali.

Originating from the northern part of India, kathak incorporates hand gestures, facial expressions, graceful body movements and intricate footwork to convey narratives.

Diwali - the festival of lights - is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. This year it falls on Thursday 31 October.

Kathak dancer Jyoti Manral has performed at major dance festivals in the UK, India, Sweden, Latvia, Russia, Singapore, West Africa, Nepal, Bhutan and China

During rehearsals at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, dance teacher Jyoti Manral, said: "We take mythological stories, different chapters and then we express ourselves through our bodies.

"This time of the year, we learn a Diwali dance and we're going to do a dance today holding diyas [small lamps].

"We decorate our homes with diyas and it signifies we are enlightening our lives and welcome good fortune."

Jyoti has not celebrated Diwali with her family back home in India for 10 years, but said teaching at SAA-uk gave her a sense of belonging.

"We celebrate Diwali, dance together, we laugh together... so I feel really happy here."

Ishani said traditional dance allowed her to teach her children about the culture she grew up with

Advanced student Ishani said kathak was "a rhythmic way to express what you feel".

"It doesn't have to be just religious, it could literally tell any story," she said.

"Now we are away from home in a new home, it's a beautiful time when we can teach our kids the same culture we grew up with."

Priya said dancing at Diwali was "really fun"

For some of the younger dancers, such as Priya, Diwali is not only a time for reflection but also a time to visit the Gurdwara and enjoy jalebis, a popular South Asian dessert.

While learning her Diwali dance, Priya also shared how much she likes "dancing on Diwali because it's really fun".

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