Three choirs, live instrumental music and expressive dance come together for Diwali Lights on Monday 2 November: a celebration of the Festival of Lights with a warm welcome for everyone.
As autumn evenings draw in, Diwali offers an occasion to gather, celebrate and look towards the light. At The Bridgewater Hall, that spirit will be shared through an evening led by Dr Rakesh Joshi, featuring Raga Symphony, Ramayan dances with live music and three choirs bringing different generations and musical backgrounds to the stage.
Whether you’re celebrating a familiar family tradition or looking for something new to enjoy with friends, there’s plenty to discover.
Three choirs, one shared celebration
The voices of Bharatiya Vrund Gaan (BVG), SHIVA and the Hallé Youth Choir are central to the evening. Their involvement gives Diwali Lights a sense of community that extends from the performers on stage to the audience in the auditorium.
Bharatiya Vrund Gaan (BVG), the Indian adult choir, brings the collective sound of adult voices to the programme. Alongside the instrumental music and dance, its contribution places group singing at the heart of the celebrations: people coming together to tell stories, express emotion and share the pleasure of making music.
SHIVA, the Indian youth choir, brings a younger generation into that celebration. Its participation is an opportunity to enjoy young voices while recognising the part young people play in carrying musical traditions forward. With both BVG and SHIVA appearing, the evening brings adults and young singers into the same programme, reflecting Diwali’s importance as an occasion shared across generations.
Joining them is the Hallé Youth Choir, adding another connection to Manchester’s musical life. Its involvement brings young singers from different musical backgrounds into a shared event, celebrating the opportunity to learn from one another and take part in something together.
For audiences, the appeal is in hearing what each choir brings to the evening. You might come to support a singer you know, hear a familiar ensemble in a different setting, or discover all three for the first time.
Stories told through music and dance
Under Dr Rakesh Joshi’s direction, Raga Symphony shares the programme with Ramayan dances accompanied by live music, bringing storytelling and movement to the festivities.
The dancers’ gestures and expressions offer another way into the stories, while the live accompaniment connects the movement on stage with the musicians. Alongside the choirs, these performances create an evening with plenty to watch as well as hear.
You don’t need prior knowledge of Indian music or dance to enjoy it. Come with curiosity and let the performers introduce you to their part of the celebration.
A celebration to share
Diwali is celebrated in different ways across communities and traditions, with light, renewal and time spent with loved ones among its familiar themes. Those ideas shape the welcome at Diwali Lights.
For some, the concert will be an opportunity to enjoy familiar cultural traditions in the surroundings of The Bridgewater Hall. For others, it will be a first encounter with the music and dance on stage. Both are equally welcome.
Bring someone you love spending time with, settle into your seat and join us for a November evening filled with music and celebration.
Diwali Lights
Monday 2 November 2026, 7pm
The Bridgewater Hall