Parramasala

Overview

It's almost that time of year again. Not yet Christmas, the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, has arrived. Also known as Deepavali, the finale of this big festival of lights is kicking off the annual Parramasala festival, which wraps the culture of South Asia around the streets of Parramatta. Parramasala starts with a huge Deepavali Fair at Parramatta Park, featuring the immolation of a Fawkes-like Demon King, and keeps on going with a week of free music at Parramatta's Town Hall Square,  itself culminating in a grand finale concert by Spicks and Specks guests the Bombay Royale.

A season of film at the Riverside includes proof that Afghan Girls Can Kick, the four cities of London South Asian Film Festival winner I Am and DJ Tigerstyle's 45 minute remix of classic Indian epic Mother India. Tablatronics will show off a fusion of old and new Indian sounds and instruments, Surry Hills media gurus Curiousworks offer to take you to Sri Lanka and home again by boat and if all this excitement proves too much, there's a program of mind and body events to help you get your focus back. Packed with dance, music and occasional urban art, unless you're off to the subcontinent tomorrow it's a hard offer to pass up.