"We haven't forgotten our heritage": How Monash’s Fijian Indians celebrated Diwali

The Fijian Indian Seniors Association celebrated their Festival of Lights – Diwali – at the Mount Waverley Community Centre last week. 

The sell-out event’s caterer Karan Singh told the Eastern Melburnian that Diwali is “one of those great festivals that bands India together — north, south, east, west — from all different religions … it’s a uniting holiday.” 

“Diwali signifies good over evil and the removal of darkness,” said Singh. “In the modern sense, it means ‘you know what, there are better days ahead.’” 

Almost 100 Monash locals spent the evening celebrating through the lighting of candles, singing of hymns and a feast of pakoras, curries and jalebi. 

Diwali is particularly important for this community of Fijian Indians, whose cultural identity is layered. 

Despite growing up in Fiji, attendee Lila Nambiar told the Eastern Melburnian they follow the culture that has been handed down from their ancestors in India.

“We haven’t forgotten our heritage – Hinduism. We hold onto that very tightly.” 

Now, after 35 years living in Australia, the Association is Nambiar’s chance to connect with a community who shares that heritage. 

One attendee compared how different life is in Fiji, where “everyone knows each other in the village.”

“In Australia, it’s not easy,” they said. “You live next door to someone, but you don’t even know your neighbours. This [community] is our village.” 

“We teach our kids our hymns, and about our Indian instruments. We try to hand it down … it gives me happiness to keep my culture and traditions alive.” 

Catering for almost 100 people, Karan said he feels proud of how the festival has been embraced in Melbourne.

“You’ve got Diwali at Fed Square now, and Diwali hosted by the Premier of Victoria … people of different faiths sitting on one table and eating the same food. It’s uniquely Australian.”