Photos: Diwali Family Day Kicks Off 'Festival of Lights'
Saturday, November 7, 2015 — Families packed in to Asia Society in New York on Saturday to kick off Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights widely celebrated in India, Nepal, and other countries with large Hindu populations. There, they celebrated good fortune, family, and friendships with festivities associated with the holiday. The Bollywood Axion dance studio and choreographer Pooja Narang gave performances in Bollywood and Bhangra dance and fans of all ages learned how to partake. Raga Kids introduced Indian classical music through group sing-alongs of traditional folk songs. And Kathak dancer Parul Shah performed a movement workshop featuring intricate rhythmic footwork, mime, and storytelling through hand gestures called mudras.