17/10/2022

SBS is encouraging all Australians to celebrate Diwali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Diwas and Tihar with a distinctive content line-up to mark the Indian sub-continental Festivals of Lights, celebrated by over a billion people around the world - including more than a million Australians. To showcase the diversity of the celebration and increase cultural understanding, specially curated programming through October will include documentaries, dramas, movies, food programs and recipes across the SBS network.

SBS Radio's language programs, including SBS Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Punjabi and Tamil, will deliver a wealth of content across radio and digital platforms, engaging with audiences to hear how Australians are celebrating Diwali in 2022. Enjoy interviews, videos, articles, podcasts and competitions, as well as social engagement and talkback with SBS's diverse language communities. This includes an explainer article on the diversity of celebrations translated into several languages; a comprehensive guide to Diwali festivals around Australia; a Rangoli art culture and tradition video; recipes by India Unplated chef Sandeep Pandit and celebrity Indian Chef Damu; a podcast about the Diwali-themed coins launched in Australia; and special Diwali greetings videos from the broader SBS Radio team. On the actual day of Diwali (24 October), music channel SBS PopDesi will bring the best of Bollywood and classical hits from 3pm to 5pm.

SBS Managing Director, James Taylor, said, The Festivals of Lights - Diwali, Deepavali, Bandi Chhor Diwas and Tihar - are significant events celebrated by a billion people worldwide, including a million Australians. Traditionally signifying the victory of good over evil, it's a time for giving thanks and wishing others good health and prosperity. We're excited to be marking the occasion with specially curated content right across SBS, inviting all Australians to come together to experience and learn about Diwali, increase cultural understanding, and celebrate Australia's rich diversity.

SBS On Demand will showcase a broad offering across food, travel, lifestyle and 25+ movies ranging from Bollywood and biography to romance and comedy, in Hindi, Punjabi and English. This includes the award-winning Australian film Lion about a five-year-old Indian boy who gets adopted by an Australian couple and goes searching for his lost family 25 years later, feature documentary Sherpa: Trouble on Everest which follows a 2014 expedition entirely from a Sherpa's point of view, and a Dateline episode investigating the fallout from Sri Lanka's decision to go 100% organic.

From 24 October to 4 November, SBS Food prime time will be a feast for the eyes and tastebuds with David Roccos Dolce India series 1 and 2 (5pm), while acclaimed Indian-Australian chefs Helly Raichura, Adam DSylva and Sandeep Pandit celebrate the diversity of Indian cuisine, including an episode dedicated to Diwali sweets, in India Unplated (6pm). SBS Food will also feature videos on Instagram and TikTok, as well as Diwali at Home and Kashmiri Kitchen' recipes on their website. On 24 October, SBS World Movies will feature a full-day Diwali movie marathon, plus the prime-time premiere of Warrior Queen of Jhansi, a historic tale of women's empowerment,at 9.30pm. SBS VICELAND will show multi-award-winning documentary 2020 Indian Space Dreams about the launch of the country's first astronomical satellite on a fraction of NASA's budget, at 8.30pm.

SBS Learn - SBS's dedicated website for teachers - has developed a special Rangoli art activity and resources to help students and families celebrate Diwali. The art activity is available in eight languages: Bangla, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Punjabi and Tamil. Find the materials at https://www.sbs.com.au/learn/resources/celebrate-diwali

Additionally, SBS Voices has commissioned a memoir piece by Dr Ahona Guha, a Melbourne-based psychologist and acclaimed writer of Indian heritage, exploring the importance of community and how her life overlaps with what Diwali celebrates - the victory of light over darkness . knowledge over ignorance . It is a personal piece with family photos from previous Diwalis.

SBS is also supporting Diwali community festivals taking place around Australia, including Melbourne's Celebrate India at Federation Square on 29 October. Join the SBS Radio broadcast team who will be celebrating with local communities at 12 events across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart to learn what the Festivals of Lights mean to so many Australians and how truly diverse this celebration is.

Visit sbs.com.au/Diwali for more Diwali content across SBS.

For a PDF version of this media release click here

ENDS

Interviews available upon request with Manpreet Kaur Singh, Program Manager at SBS Audio & Language Content:

Manpreet joined SBS Radio in 1993 following many years' experience working for television and newspapers in India. Serving audiences through stories on social justice, cultural cohesion and multiculturalism, her investigative work has won several national and international awards including UNAA Media Peace Award, New York Festivals and a Walkley nomination. Manpreet currently oversees editorial output for several of SBS's Indian subcontinental language programs.

For further information and interview requests please contact:

Leah Boonthanom | leah.boonthanom@sbs.com.au | 0411 860 741

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