Temple of Fine Arts dancers performing the Bharatanatyam.
THE wonders of Deepavali will enliven Penang’s Queensbay Mall this festive season.
From captivating decorations to cultural performances and workshops, there is much for shoppers of all ages to enjoy until till the end of November.
Mall manager Lee Sue Ling said this year’s Dazzling Deepavali theme is reflected in the colourful display spanning three levels at the centre atrium.
“We try to make our festive backdrops the talk of the town every year and found inspiration in the festival’s tenets of celebrating life with joy,” she said.
(From left) Chan, Fahmi and Lee launching the Dazzling Deepavali programme.
A key feature of the display this time is a pair of swans. In Hinduism, they are called “hamsa” – the vehicles of the divine, which in this case is Brahma who is known as the Creator.
There are also giant representations of lotuses and nilavilakku (traditional lamps), alongside floral garlands, small oil lamps, kandil (lanterns), kolam motifs and fabric drapery.
The display with shades of pink, blue, purple, cyan, orange and yellow looks striking, ensuring photo opportunities for visitors.
“We designed the main stage around the lotus as it is significant in Hinduism, being a flower offered in prayers,” Lee said during the programme’s launch.
Queensbay Mall’s Dazzling Deepavali festive backdrop which is centred around swans, lotuses, flowers, lamps and kolam motifs.
The night featured a jewellery and fashion show, with the first round featuring chic black gowns from Ranndy Goh’s Select range alongside pieces by SK Jewellery.
Designer Nthiran Krishnan’s stunning Light collection creatively transformed traditional Indian costumes into elegant evening wear suitable for all kinds of occasions.
The designer who is celebrated for his pieces for beauty pageants took cues from the draping styles of sarees and added contemporary cuts, different fabrics and shiny embellishments.
Long tassels add dynamism and movement to this gold gown by Nthiran who was inspired by traditional Indian costumes.
Nthiran said: “I wanted to capture the spark that’s in all humans.
“The collection is also an ode to Mother Earth and her various elements and forms.”
Celebrity model and Miss Global World International 2023 Anugrekha Solaraja was among those strutting on the catwalk.
Anugrekha parading in a burgundy outfit from Nthiran Krishnan’s Light collection.
In between rounds, dancers from the Temple of Fine Arts kept the crowd entertained with classical Bharatanatyam and Odissi dances.
Rounding off the performances was the upbeat Dandiara Stick Dance, a Gujarati folk number performed for celebratory occasions, in which lines of dancers move in weaving patterns.
Present for the launch were state agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol and CapitaLand mall management general manager Peter Chan.
A model showing off a dress from Goh’s Select range and pieces from SK Jewellery.
The cultural dances will be performed again this weekend. Catch the Dandiara at 6pm tomorrow or the Bharatanatyam at 2pm on Sunday.
The mall’s Q-Kids Club will also have a Flower Garland Tying Workshop at 4pm tomorrow.
Various redemption programmes are available for shoppers.
For more details, check out the mall’s social media pages.
