The rain cleared just in time for the 2025 Diwali@Mural event in Benalla.
Photo by
Travis Palmieri
The heavens cleared as Benalla’s annual Diwali@Mural event returned to the Ceramic Mural on Monday, November 3, with a fantastic turnout.
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The rain eased half an hour before the event start time, providing Benalla Migrants Association the opportunity to present its program around the lake foreshore as planned.
Attendees were treated to a fabulous dance line-up featuring local and Melbourne-based groups.
Sapphire Dance Group from Melbourne headlined the performances, offering a dance workshop for attendees to participate in and learn a few dance moves.
Benalla Migrants Association’s Kids’ Dance Group dancers Martha, Sahib, Kanavi, Akshayah, Esme, Kushi, Jind and Gauri put on a show.
Photo by
Travis Palmieri
The audience was also treated to the first performance by Benalla Migrants Association’s Kids’ Dance Group.
The local kids performed a bhangara dance to popular song Pind de Gerhe, and they were proud to show off their dance skills to the audience.
The packed dance program included Bhangara Inspire from Shepparton, Nrityakavya School of Dance from Berwick, Narmada Thilini from Wangaratta and Ahram Bhatra from Wallan.
Attendees were once again treated to traditional Diwali sweets and savouries from Benalla Migrants Association.
Fireworks lit up the sky after the crowd danced all night.
Photo by
Travis Palmieri
Artmore Productions also showed off artworks, developed through community programs in the lead-up to the event, by lighting up the Benalla Art Gallery.
The henna and face-painting stalls were as popular as ever, with long queues throughout the evening, and kids enjoyed sparklers before the fireworks, which were also well-received.
“We put so much work in and we were so glad that the weather turned in our favour to allow Diwali@Mural to be successful once again,” Benalla Migrants Association president Puna Gunaratne said.
“Thanks to all of the volunteers who turned up and made this event happen — it wouldn’t be possible without all of the hours our volunteers dedicated to our organisation.”
Benalla Migrants Association holds a monthly potluck, see its Facebook page for more details.
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