Purpose of the Event: To show case the multi-cultural nature of the Little India Traders by utilizing
the Indian Bollywood Theme to bring families together as fun day. The word Bollywood is easily
identify with in all communities consensus meaning dance, music, film and clothes.
Bollywood Festival will transform the street into Indian Bazaar feel, where the shops will have
market style stalls on the pavement. So take a moment to visualise the shops strewn with
garlands of paper flowers to enhance this look, using the featured colour scheme of pink, gold, red
and yellow. Smell the fragrance incense and wafting smells of fresh curries being cooked and serve
alfresco outside the five cafes and restaurant.
Listen to the sounds of tabla players and dancers weaving their way down the footpath. Take a
moment to stop at the chai cart set up serving freshly brewed chai, letting visitors new to this
refreshing drink to sit and linger taking in the sounds and sights. Or to sit and allow the henna
artist to tattoo ones hands are with age old symbols.
Behind the shops, central stage will be host to the famous Bhangra Dancers, Fijian Meke, Dhool,
DJ Baba, Belly Dancers,Tabla, Sitar players, African Drumming and M.C. Azim and Nalihi to name
just a few who will entertained with music and dance. Colours that are dazzling to the eyes as
beautiful Saris, Salwaar Kameeza, Punjab outfit and alternative clothing are parade on stage
showcasing the clothing traders.
One segment is Bollywood dance for those who would love to learn this. And some basic lessons
in stress release through yoga which will be held later in the afternoon at the Pop/Up/ Park. Other
activities at the Pop/up/ Park for children will be Vic Cricket workshop, Jumping Fun castle, face
painting, clowning and small rides for younger children.
Vic Cricket will be hosting coaching lessons that are age related, so for the younger children, it will
be focused on eye hand co-ordination and balance. Older age group will focus on friendly matches
and pointers on skills. Cricket creates a sporting activity for children that break down cultural
barriers, creating physical fitness, team players, good sportsmanship. One could hope the next
upcoming Australian players could come from these many nationalities. Cricket has the ability to
break down barriers as it’s so strongly followed by the south Asian population.
We the traders of the Little India precinct are proud of the cultural diversity of Indian, Fijian
Indian, Fijian, Egyptian, Serbian, Cambodian, Pakistani, Afghani, Australian and Lebanese who
work together in creating this amazing community.
Sponsors are the Office of Multiculturalism, ANZ Mobile Lenders Rowville, Clayton, Places Victoria,
Bank of Melbourne, Mission Australia, Punjab Sweets Bikaneer Sweets and the Greater City of
Dandenong.
Big thank you to Bristol Paints Doveton and the following presenters on stage Bollywood Jhoom,
Shem Belly Dancing, Mai Nachungi Dance, Shriram Iyer, Kubra Elyas, Vikrant Raj Bollywood
Dancer , Kushaal Prasad Dhool Drum, Valvish Dhool Drum, Raj Kumara, Traditional Dancer, David
Pal Tabla & Harmonia, Naval Moudgil , Radhey Sitar with more to come
Media Partners Indus age, Hello Bollywood, SAT, Santa Banta, Beyond India, Indian Link will be
identified on the events programme and posters and will be publicly thanked on stage for their
help in bringing this festival to fruition.
Little India hopes there will be continuing festivals held within this cultural precinct. Will transform
the street into Indian Bazaar feel, where the shops will have market style stalls on the pavement.
So take a moment to visualise the shops strewn with garlands of paper flowers to enhance this
look, using the featured colour scheme of pink, gold, red and yellow, incense and smell the fragrance.
– Media Release