On Saturday 19th October, the Scottish Indian Arts Forum (SIAF) is planning an unforgettable celebration for its 30th anniversary as it holds its flagship event on top of Calton Hill – Dusherra.
Founded by SIAF in 1994, Dusherra is a family-friendly event and is free to attend. This year’s celebration will take place from 3pm on Saturday 19th October.
One of India’s largest and most celebrated festivals, Dusherra commemorates the epic 10-day battle between gods and demons, and the timeless struggle between good and evil. This iconic festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, celebrated with electrifying music, dance and mouthwatering cuisine, and where ancient legends come alive with the dramatic burning of effigies symbolising the destruction of evil.
Twisted Tails perform at Dusherra 2019, photo by DB@Tasveeraen
This year, the family-friendly celebration reaches new heights as SIAF weaves together the best of Scottish and Indian music and dance, bringing two rich cultures together in a spectacular fusion of sights and sounds. Over 200 hundred performers will take to the stage for over three hours of non-stop entertainment as part of the celebrations. Highlights include performances from Edinburgh dance school Dance Beatz, tracks from Edinburgh Banghra Crew, and tribal belly dance from Twisted Tails. Plus even more entertainment from local group Unison Dollies, Glasgow’s Desi Bravehearts, Scotland’s premier Bollywood dance troupe BollyFeat.
Alongside the performance programme there will be a mouthwatering menu of Indian cuisine to enjoy; while children and adults alike will be able to try their own hand at Indian culture with a series of arts and craft activities and workshops.
The evening will culminate with the symbolic burning of effigies and a breathtaking fireworks display that will light up the Edinburgh skyline, creating an awe-inspiring finale.
The Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which celebrates 30 years of promoting Indian culture and heritage this year, invites everyone to join them in making 2024 the grandest Dusherra yet.
Mr. Nirav Mehta, Vice President of SIAF, said: “2024 marks the 30-year anniversary of Scottish Indian Arts Forum celebrating Indian culture in Edinburgh, of which Dusherra is our flagship event. It’s a massive milestone for us and the Indian diaspora in this beautiful city.
“Dusherra celebrates the universal message of victory of virtue over vice, and courage trumping oppression. For the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which aims to provide a platform to celebrate the rich Indian Heritage via performing arts and music, Dusherra helps us to encourage community cohesion and active citizenship.
“We hope everyone will join us for our 30th anniversary celebration which will take place on 19th October from 3pm onwards, on the iconic Calton Hill in Edinburgh. The walk-in festival is free for all so that we can all witness the spectacle.”
Dusherra 2024 will take place from 3pm on Saturday 19th October on Calton Hill, Edinburgh. The fireworks display and symbolic burning of effigies will take place from 7.30pm.
The Scottish Indian Arts Forum hosts Dusherra with thanks to support from City of Edinburgh Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The festival receives further support from Baillie Gifford, Brighter Mortgages, and Towards AGI.
For further information about SIAF and Dusherra, visit siafscotland.co.uk or follow Scottish Indian Arts Forum on Facebook, facebook.com/ScottishIndianArtsForum.
