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 includes 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.
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.
James Taylor, SBS' managing director, 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 Rocco's Dolce India series 1 and 2 (5pm), while Indian-Australian chefs Helly Raichura, Adam D'Sylva 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.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.