Grand Diwali gala illuminated Weston with music, dance and light
Weston-super-Mare, Bristol, 20th October 2025
The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF), in partnership with the Federation of Young Indians (FYI), successfully hosted the Grand Diwali Celebration 2025 — a spectacular festival of lights, culture, and community — at the Winter Gardens, Royal Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Bristol (BS23 1AJ) on Monday, 20th October 2025, from 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
This grand event, hailed as the largest indoor Diwali festival in the United Kingdom, brought together over 2,000 participants, including dignitaries, artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and families from across the West of England and beyond. With more than 150 artists performing in diverse music, dance, and cultural segments, the celebration showcased the vibrant richness of South Asian heritage while promoting unity, joy, and intercultural understanding.
Setting the stage: the spirit of Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated globally to mark the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The Winter Gardens was transformed into a radiant space of colour, music, and festive cheer, with beautifully decorated stalls offering authentic Indian food, clothing, and jewellery. The event exuded an atmosphere of warmth, togetherness, and celebration, embodying the essence of Diwali’s message of hope and renewal.
Opening Ceremony and Inspirational messages
The programme commenced at 4 pm with the opening of the cultural stalls, followed by a networking and meet-and-greet session. The formal proceedings began at 5:30 pm with a welcome address by the Event Coordinator, Mr Akhilesh Madhav, who extended a heartfelt welcome to all dignitaries, artists and community members.
The event was officially inaugurated by Cllr Martin Williams, the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, who warmly commended the organisers for bringing such a magnificent multicultural celebration to the region. Mrs Sijinu Sabin, President of FYI, emphasised the collaborative efforts behind the festival’s success.
Mayor Emeritus Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum in his Diwali message reflected: “Beyond its religious and cultural roots, Diwali carries a universal message of hope, renewal, and unity — values that deeply resonate with the mission of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum. It reminds us that even a single light can dispel darkness, and that harmony among diverse communities brings lasting brightness to our world.”
Cllr Aditya further noted that Diwali has become a symbol of multiculturalism and togetherness in the UK, promoting understanding, fairness, and respect across communities. He also added that Diwali, as an autumn festival, brings light, colour, and joy to people, serving as a well-being tool for those experiencing loneliness and isolation — reminding everyone of the healing power of community connection and shared celebration.
As a symbolic gesture marking the inauguration of the Diwali festivities, the Mayor and the distinguished guests lit diyas on the nilavilakku. This ceremonial, tall, traditional brass lamp stood gracefully adorned at the centre of the stage, radiating an aura of cultural reverence and unity. The Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare, Mr Dan Aldridge, who was scheduled to be the Chief Guest of the event, conveyed his Diwali greetings through a video message, as he was engaged in an extended Parliamentary session.
Several dignitaries graced and addressed the gathering, including the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mrs Janet Montgomery; Deputy Lieutenants of Somerset, Mr Denis Burn MBE, Rev. Narinder Tegally, and Mrs Caroline Boddington; and the CEO of BAPIO Training Academy, Prof. Dr Parag Singhal OBE. They shared heartfelt messages of goodwill and celebration, praising the event as a shining example of community harmony, inclusion, and cultural exchange.
Several distinguished community contributors conveyed their felicitations to the event, including Dr Biju Peringathara (Former President, UUKMA), Mr Sayd Ahmed (South Asian Cultural Forum Lead), Ms Aishah Ahmed (Food Charity), and Mr Sanju Varghese (President, WMCA). Mr Deepu KS, Secretary of FYI, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, performers, volunteers, sponsors, and the audience for their enthusiastic support.
Cultural Extravaganza
After the general meeting, the stage came alive with a dazzling series of music, dance, and cultural performances by more than 150 talented artists representing diverse South Asian traditions.
Highlights of the cultural showcase featured a captivating array of performances, including Mohiniyattam, the graceful classical dance from Kerala by Mrs Merry Jos; Kuchipudi, the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh by Ms Riya Saviour; and Kathak, the elegant North Indian classical dance presented by Shalu and team.
The audience was further enthralled by Bollywood and cinematic dances performed by Vincy, Krishna, Isha Ajay, Megna, Negma, and various youth teams. The musical segment included soulful performances by Mr Pramod, Mr Bony, Ms Shinu, and others.
One of the most enchanting moments of the evening was the live folklore performance by the renowned Indian singer and folklorist Mr. Athul Narukara, famed for his soulful hit “Palapalli Thirupalli.” As his mesmerizing rhythms filled the air, the audience broke into spontaneous song and dance, joyfully transcending language barriers and uniting in a celebration of music and culture. The event reached a crescendo with the electrifying Chenda Melam — a traditional Kerala drum ensemble performed by artists from Taunton — filling the venue with rhythmic energy and excitement.
The audience was captivated by the vibrant costumes, synchronised choreography, and soulful music, creating an atmosphere of festivity and shared cultural pride.
Raffle Draw, Closing Remarks, and Finale
As the evening drew to a joyful close, a raffle draw was held, adding an element of excitement and community engagement. The event anchor, Mrs Saraswathi Menon, guided the evening’s proceedings with enthusiasm.
The closing remarks were delivered by Cllr Tom Aditya, who thanked the organisers, artists, and volunteers for their tireless efforts and reaffirmed BMFF’s commitment to fostering multicultural dialogue and unity through such initiatives. Cllr Tom Aditya praised the variety of cultural programmes and extended special thanks to Mr Akhilesh Madav, Mrs Sijinu Sabin, Mrs Shalu Sunil (Cultural Programmes Coordinator), Mr Deepesh, Mr Boban Raju, and Mr Deepu for their dedication and teamwork.
As an extension of Diwali’s spirit of community cohesion, Cllr Tom Aditya also invited everyone to join the Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day Multi-Faith Trail on 16th November, an event that brings together people of different faiths, cultures, and communities to celebrate the rich religious and cultural diversity of the West of England region. The event offers participants the opportunity to explore various places of worship, learn about one another’s traditions, strengthen community understanding, and experience the vibrancy of many faith communities in a single inclusive trail.
The night concluded with DJ music and an energetic dance session, bringing together guests and performers in a final celebration of light, joy, and togetherness. The programme wrapped up at 11:30 pm with applause, smiles, and the glow of community spirit.
Media Coverage and Public Appreciation
The Grand Diwali Festival received wide coverage from TV channels, community radio, and digital platforms, highlighting its success as one of the most vibrant and inclusive cultural events in the region. Guests praised the welcoming spirit, diversity of performances, and the event’s ability to bring people of all backgrounds together under one roof.
A Festival of Light, Love, and Unity
The Grand Diwali Celebration 2025 at the Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare, was a resounding success, blending cultural heritage with a powerful message of unity, peace, and shared humanity. It was not only a feast for the senses but also a testament to the strength of community bonds and shared human values.
The event not only showcased the artistic richness of South Asian traditions but also underscored the importance of intercultural dialogue and collaboration in building cohesive, compassionate communities.
The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) and the Federation of Young Indians (FYI) extended their deepest gratitude to all performers, sponsors, partners, and participants for making the celebration an unforgettable festival of light, love, and unity — one that truly illuminated the spirit of Diwali across the West of England. They also expressed heartfelt thanks to the event partners, including Racial Equality North Somerset (RENS), Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS), Super Culture, the North Somerset Bangladeshi Association, and the Weston Malayali Charity Association, for their sincere efforts, collaboration, and invaluable support in making the event a resounding success.
As Diwali reminds the world each year, even a single light can dispel darkness. The celebration stood as a radiant example of how unity, compassion, and cultural pride can illuminate communities.
More pictures of the event are available on the Facebook Album link below:
https://www.facebook.com/BristolMultiFaithForum/photos_albums
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1249696573851126&type=3
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Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is an organisation instituted by the Bristol City Council in 2004 to lead inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony activities in the region, and to promote community well-being. BMFF is the active voice of harmony and community cohesion in the West of England region.
