The Worcester Art Museum lights up for Diwali Fall Community Day!
Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of India’s “Festival of Lights” in this FREE celebration.

Light triumphs over darkness and knowledge over ignorance at this year’s Fall Community Day. Diwali: the Festival of Lights returns to the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) with a full day of performances and programs for all ages. This free community event, held in partnership with the India Society of Worcester, will be on Sunday November 7, from 10am to 4pm.

Diwali is the most popular of India’s national holidays, bringing families and communities of many different spiritual backgrounds together in a joyous celebration.  Activities will include Diwali dance and music, lamp lighting, a Saree fashion show, a special docent led tour, and much more!

“We at ISW, are so looking forward to continuing this wonderful partnership with the Worcester Art Museum for the fifth year in a row!” says Arathi Cowlagi, Cultural Committee Member at the India Society of Worcester. “Diwali is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness. As we all emerge from a particularly dark year, we look forward to sharing this festive spirit with our community.”

Community Day Programing and Performances

All programs and activities are FREE and will be held at the Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street in Worcester, MA. Masks are now required for all visitors, age 5 and over, to the Worcester Art Museum, regardless of vaccination status. Museum parking is free, but limited.  For directions and a map of additional parking around the Museum, visit:  http://www.worcesterart.org/information/directions/ 

Story Time with the Indian Society of Worcester (ISW)

10:30am & 3pm, Library
Hear the epic tale of the Ramayana: of good overcoming evil, light over darkness, and knowledge triumphing over ignorance.

Diwali Lamp Lighting

11am – 12pm, Renaissance Court
Witness this time-honored tradition of lighting the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that symbolizes the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Diwali Cultural Programming with Dance and Music

11:15 am – 12:15 pm, Renaissance Court
The Indian Society of Worcester presents a full line-up of traditional, modern, and contemporary Indian performances in the Museum’s grand Renaissance Court.

Bawarchi Biryanis: Feast on Authentic Treats
11:30am – 3pm, Museum Café & Courtyard

The popular Bawarchi Biryanis restaurant of Framingham will provide traditional Indian cuisine available for purchase.

Honoring Lakshmi: Lotus, Mudras, and other symbols in Hindu and Buddhist Art

12:30 pm, Meet in Lancaster Lobby

Special docent led tour focused on India connections.

Henna by Meghna

11am – 3pm, Lancaster Lobby

See how a mehndi artist works and receive your own henna.  

Cultural Programming & A Fashion Show, “Saree - A Cultural Heritage of India”
1:15pm – 2:15pm, Renaissance Court

Indian dance and music. The end of the programming will provide a close up view of the vibrancy and color of India’s traditional garments in this Diwali cultural dance and fashion show.

Studio Art Activities

11am – 3pm, Studios 101 & 102
Mandala art led by WAM Teen Council Members and Rangoli Sand workshops are led by WAM instructors for all ages, abilities, and interests.

About the Indian Society of Worcester

The India Society of Worcester, affectionately known as the ISW, is one of New England's most vibrant Indian associations. It is primarily a cultural, social, educational and charitable organization. Since its establishment in 1963, the ISW has become a conduit of Indian culture for young Indians born in the U.S.A., as well as the local communities in the region.  It is an outlet where the young and the old are able to showcase their cultural talents. The ISW also collaborates with other Indian organizations in the region and acts as an advocate for many global and community causes. The multidimensional nature of the ISW has drawn local city and state authorities, as well as businesses to the society. Today, the ISW is one of the most renowned organizations representing the Indian Community.

About the Worcester Art Museum

Founded in 1896, the Worcester Art Museum’s encyclopedic 38,000-piece collection covers 51 centuries of art. Highlights include the Medieval Chapter House, Renaissance Court, and Worcester Hunt Mosaic, as well as the recently integrated John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection of arms and armor. The Museum is internationally known for its collection of European and American art. It was the first in America to acquire paintings by Monet and Gauguin and one of the first to collect photography. As the first U.S. museum to focus on collaborating with local schools, it has been at the forefront of engaging audiences and giving them a meaningful and personal experience for over a century.

The Worcester Art Museum, located at 55 Salisbury Street in Worcester, MA, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $14 for seniors 65+ and for college students with ID. Admission is free for Museum Members and children ages 0-17. On the first Sunday of each month, admission is free for everyone. Museum parking is free. For more information, visit worcesterart.org.

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