Crowd Puller : Indians turn up in large numbers at the Deepavali Mela at South Street Sea Port, New York. The festival is a time to connect with each other and with cultural traditions.

"What better occasion than Diwali for charity?" Arun Mehra, chartered accountant

In keeping with the festive, exalted mood, the Diwali bash thrown by Jaisalmer in Jeopardy, a UK-based charity to conserve and protect the glory of Jaisalmer, had a royal attendant-HH The Maharawal of Jaisalmer. But instead of being festooned with the paraphernalia normally associated with the biggest festival in the Hindu calendar-fireworks, lights, crackers, et al-the event's highlight was its raison d'etre: raising funds for the conservation of Jaisalmer's Golden Fort. In retrospect, that single event last year was a precursor of the changes to come.

Almost ironically, as Indians are climbing the ladders of success and prosperity, the face of Diwali celebrations in Britain is undergoing radical changes. Loud is out, subtlety is in. Restraint has replaced ostentation. And remarkably, the self is passe. It is societal interests that rule.

"The best way to utilise the resources of young Indian professionals here for charity work back home is to have a ball. What better occasion than Diwali for charity?" asks Arun Mehra, a chartered accountant and supporter of the Divine Onkar Mission (DOM), an organisation working for the alleviation of suffering among the poor of India. So it was with the black-tie event organised for Indian professionals on October 26 in London-£20 from each ticket costing £75 were set aside for charity. With over 170 invitees, DOM managed to raise a substantial sum. "Diwali, as the season of goodwill, is an appropriate time of the year for all to think of others who would benefit from action," says Mehra.

Universal Appeal : A shop in London lures with discounts; a Ramayan performance in New York celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

The selflessness is contagious. Also using Diwali as a leitmotif for generating awareness is the Asian Deaf Foundation (ADF) that is organising a function to communicate the abilities of the hearing impaired. "There have always been hearing- and speech-impaired people and they have always been resourceful with capable minds," says Bharti Kothari of ADF. "However, due to their inability in being able to communicate normally, they are missing out on opportunities," she adds. Enter Khamoshi, ADF's November 9 cultural fiesta-with dinner, dance, rangoli and a play thrown in-that is extending an invitation to people transcending faith.

Another striking feature of Diwali this year has been its shedding of a "minority festival" tag. In recent years, local administrations have pitched in to cooperate on Diwali to light up London streets frequented by the Indian community. It may not seem surprising that the Labour Friends of India (LFI), a group of parliamentarians soft on India, is planning a Diwali programme on November 13.

"Diwali is a special occasion," says Vikas Pota, LFI director. "It has a universal appeal because of the principles and ideals demonstrated through the Ramayan," he adds. However, what stands out is the first ever Diwali reception held at the House of Commons by various Hindu organisations.

Spirit of Joy : A lamp set up at London's Trafalgar Square especially for Diwali; actor Karisma Kapoor leads the pack of Bollywood stars in demand at events' British-Asian youth connect through a game of antakshari at a cultural festival.

"The reception on October 31 was the first time a Hindu festival was celebrated in the history of the British Parliament," says a proud Ramesh Kallidai, one of the organisers, "and the first time a record number of British MPs attended a Hindu festival at any one time."

The event featured costumed artistes, traditional wick lamps, rangoli floral designs, Indian sculpture, sweets, music and prayers. "We had over 35 Hindu organisations and 14 Parliamentarians co-hosting this event in a splendid display of solidarity," says Ratilal Chohan, chair of the Hindu Council UK. "We hope that this will be a step towards integration of British Hindus to build a more cohesive society."

Just the thing the New-Age Hindu youth is attempting to do as Diwali takes on a whole new meaning and frees itself of the shackles of lamps, presents and money. "Culture and religion can be quite difficult subjects to understand," concedes Neeraj Nathwani, a 22-year-old chartered accountant. "So it is important to have a platform for youth of all backgrounds to voice their opinions on issues and challenges of common concern."

With that as the guiding force, over 20 spiritual and cultural youth groups organised a festival called "Get Connected" on October 26 and 27 to spread awareness about Indian culture, religion and heritage at Brent's Alexandra Palace. The two-day festival offered insights into the celebrations of the Indian new year, showcasing the subcontinent's rich cultural and spiritual essence with performances and presentations. "This event provides young British Hindus with an important opportunity to explore their culture and faith," British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in his message to the organisers. He expressed hope that it would provide a useful forum for participants to address the key issues facing young Hindus in Britain today. "... Events like yours play an important role in helping us to appreciate and celebrate (this) diversity," Blair added.

Though Brent continues to remain the cynosure of all eyes where celebrations go, a unique highlight has been the appearance of cine stars at important events. Not surprising, considering the pull they wield. With the year being favourable for British-Asian actors, Priya Kalidas, Jimmy Mistry and Raj Ghatak were the main draws at the Western Union Festival of Lights. Singer Asha Bhosle was the prized celebrity at the Help the Aged concert at the Albert Hall in Kensington. It raised enough funds for charity notwithstanding Bhosle's inability to touch high notes.

However, despite the ubiquitous presence of the Big Ones, Mehra could not get a famous personality to endorse the DOM event. "We wanted a celebrity to endorse or come for the event but we could not afford one. I guess we found it difficult as we were doing it for the first time. Hopefully, next Diwali we will have one."

It is a nascent hope that takes form amid louder sounds, bigger crowds and merrier parties. Though scores of Indian shops in Ealing, Southall and Wembley have come out with a plethora of sales and discounts for the occasion, for the British-Indian, it's not the spending that matters at the end of the day; it is how that money is spent. And that could well give many a face a smug smile this Diwali.

The American Scenario

Multiple Hues

While some swear by Diwali traditions, others-mainly second generation Indian-Americans-are unable to keep track Big Bang : In the US and UK fireworks are allowed to be burst only by authorised persons Diwali?" The word takes J. Singh, a former New Yorker from Bronx and now a taxi driver in Seattle, by utter surprise. "If you had not brought it up I would not even have remembered. This place (Seattle) is not like New York, where there is a lot of activity related to Diwali," he finally blurts out. Caught in the daily routine of earning his bread, the cabbie is distanced from the concept of Diwali. Singh is the quintessential Indian in the United States. While for the more established Indian the ritual of Diwali is followed to the T and only differs in terms of ethnicity, for the lesser off it is often a token gesture and sometimes not even that. Welcome to the multiplicity to the ritual of Diwali that reflects the 1.7 million-strong diaspora's complexity. The temples, of course, have been choc-a-block with crowds for nearly a month to the run up to Diwali. The pluribus of gods, which is the normal fare in most Indian temples, caters to every ethnic hue-Gujarati, Bengali or Tamil. Mainstream America, which has been seized of the huge purchasing power of the Indian elite, has been slow to grab the opportunity that Diwali delivers. All the more, as second generation Indian-Americans that are coming of age are very conscious of their lineage and often very keen to explore their cultural traditions. Indian-owned establishments do offer a Diwali special, which draws some mainstream American audience. However, with growing political patronage, Diwali is striking a chord with the American establishment. A resolution has been moved in the US House of Representatives making a case that the United States Postal Service issue a stamp honouring Diwali. The resolution was moved by Frank Pallone, the democratic representative in the House and founder of the India Caucus. The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Commission under the US Postal Service currently issues many stamps with holiday themes, including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and most recently, Eid. "Diwali is one of the most important and colourful of the Indian festivals and is celebrated enthusiastically by Indians all over the world," Pallone said. "It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is seen as a brand new beginning for all." And, what the Congressman left unsaid, also a new beginning and meaning to the growing India-US relationship as well as the story of the Indian diaspora.

-Anil Padmanabhan