Spectacular dance, arts and crafts, and Indian music filled Fairfield Halls for a Diwali gala.

Exhibitions on Rangoli folk art and the Sanskrit epic poem Ramayan also formed part of the three days of events held to mark the Hindu festival of lights.

The gala, organised by Croydon south Asian arts organisation Subrang Arts, began with a keynote speech from Shri Jay Lakhani, head of the Hindi Academy, on Saturday afternoon.

Audiences were wowed by Janak Dulari Sita, a dramatic dance production featuring colourful costumes, lively choreogrpahy and multimedia projections, in the Ashcroft Theatre on Sunday night.

On Monday pupils from Croydon schools attended Fairfield Halls to learn about Diwali.

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