Family Day: Diwali Lights Up Asia Society 2022!

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, returns to Asia Society with an in-person, fun-filled afternoon.

Let's come together to celebrate good fortune, family, and friendships. Enjoy puppet shows, dance performances, storytelling, and hands-on arts and crafts inspired by the holiday. 

We hope you will join us. Free Admission. Reservations are required for all attendees. There may be limited availability at the door.

Masks are recommended but not required when visiting Asia Society. Find more information about our COVID-19 Safety Protocols here. 

Schedule of Events

Auditorium

1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Ramleela Puppet Show with The Culture Tree
A special interactive puppet show for Diwali, including dance, drama, puppetry, storytelling, and songs performed by WonderSpark Puppets. The festival of Diwali has its roots in ancient India and the epic Ramayana. Experience Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Ravana come to life in this show! The performance explores the meaning of true devotion, love, kindness and valor; all while learning why we celebrate Diwali. 

2:15 p.m. Indian Dance Performance and Workshop
Kathak dancer Parul Shah and Bharatanatyam dancer Sonali Skandan will perform and host a movement workshop in the spirit of the Diwali festival. This event includes audience participation, as you learn special dance moves to celebrate Diwali.

8th Floor

1:45 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Storytelling
Join us for interactive storytelling sessions! Gather around to experience Anu Sehgal reading It’s Diwali!, written by mother-son duo Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal, at 1:45 p.m. and My Diwali Light, written by Raakhee Mirchandani, at 3 p.m.

1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Ongoing Activities: Arts and Crafts inspired by Diwali
• Make your own Diya: During Diwali, people light small clay lamps called Diyas to symbolize the light of knowledge and goodness. Make and decorate your own clay Diya to put by your window at night!
• Ramleela Puppets: Make your own Ramleela puppets designed by artist Kavita Rajput and then enact the puppet show at your homes!  
• Rangoli Diwali Card: Decorate a Diwali card featuring a beautiful Rangoli design with artist Milan Sharma. Rangolis are patterned floor decorations made from materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand, or flower petals. Rangolis are thought to bring luck and are usually made during Diwali.
• Henna Tattoos: Come and get elaborate temporary tattoos on your hands!

Presented in collaboration with The Culture Tree, Parul Shah, and Sonali Skandan

The Culture Tree promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational & cultural programs. Our goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about identity with heritage cultures.