Happy Diwali (The City Celebrates)

All Images: North Leicester, October 2022

I captured these images on what some would have you believe is one of the main frontlines of the inter-faith tension that recently surfaced in Leicester. However, my stance here is largely the customary one of disinterested observer of urban life (and the multiple narratives running through it), as manifested in the physical fabric of the city. In essence these images constitute a small visual essay on one of the infrastructure of celebration (amongst other things) viewed under rather specific illumination. The Hindu festival of Diwali is nominally a 'Festival of Light', and light was definitely the main event on this particular day. 

Of course, it would be disingenuous to pretend that those aforementioned feelings of religious paranoia - and the conflict that certainly did flare-up in certain neighbourhoods, weren't real. And, I imagine, some stuff does go on behind doors and curtains that I'll just never be privy to. But, as usual, the hysterical reporting of recent events, and the sinister agendas of those (often from outside the city) who would seek to drive a wedge between communities in the name of religious and/or nationalistic bigotry, shriek loudest for our attention. Meanwhile, and for most of the time, 'The Everyday' just quietly gets on with itself, in all its mundane splendour.

Over the coming days, families will get together to eat more food than would be normally advisable. Rather more sumptuous finery than usual will be promenaded along Melton Road - and in and out of its shops and restaurants. Fireworks will be let off, and a bit of iconographically-freighted parading will occur. For most, it will just form the opportunity for a bit of benign celebration. Just as, when Eid, or Christmas, or Hanukkah, or (fill-in chosen festival here), roll around, other communities will do something similar - in whichever way makes most ritual sense to them. And the cultural texture of the city will be duly enriched.

So, Happy Diwali to those involved for all the right reasons (including numerous folks of my own  acquaintance). And to those (on any side) who'd seek to ferment inter-community strife, or to pursue some infantile religious arms race - well, you know what you can do...