Youngsters Given Chance to Make their Mark this Diwali
Leicester City Council and Alliance & Leicester, as part of the Santander Group, offered young people from Leicester the chance to make their mark this Diwali.
Creative youngsters (aged 16 and under) were asked to create a Rangoli pattern, which captured the excitement of Diwali in the city and which will go on display at various sites across Leicestershire during the festive season.
The winning designer and their friends got the chance to work with a professional artist to create the artwork, based on their design, which went on display as part of this year's Diwali celebrations. The winner also got to take home a brand new Formula 1 Scalextric set, courtesy of Santander.
A Rangoli pattern is a form of traditional Indian Art, which is drawn at the entrance of people's homes to celebrate Diwali. Rangoli patterns symbolise good fortune and health to those who enter the home.
Simon Lloyd from Alliance & Leicester, which is supporting this year's Diwali celebrations in the city, said, "We're really proud to be sponsoring Leicester's Diwali celebrations again. This year we wanted to do something special with young people, something they could really get involved in and feel a part of to create a lasting legacy in the community."
Maggie Shutt, Leicester Festivals & Events Manager from Leicester City Council said, "We're really glad to have Santander and Alliance & Leicester on board to sponsor Diwali this year, and it's great that Santander want to support a local community Rangoli project which encourages creative participation from young people".
Pravin Mistry, Director of the Belgrave Mela, who are leading the competition, said, "We're looking for really creative, bright and colourful designs. It can be traditional or your own contemporary interpretation. Simple shapes and symbols such as divas lamps and flowers can also be used. We really want to capture the vibe and atmosphere of Diwali and encapsulate it into artwork that will be on display all year round."
The Diwali competition was FREE to enter and closed on Monday 21st September 2009.
The winning entrant and their friends/family/class mates were invited to work with the artist to create the mosaic and the winner was also invited to a special VIP unveiling of the finished artwork.
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