Jay Sean, Prudhvi Chandra to headline Edison's Diwali celebration
British singer and songwriter Jay Sean is scheduled to perform at this year's Diwali celebration at Papaianni Park in Edison, which is expected to be one of the largest in the country.
Sean, 42, best known for his 2009 hit song "Down" featuring Lil Wayne, will perform during the Nov. 4 event which will run from noon to 9:30 p.m. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring chairs.
Also slated to perform is Prudhvi Chandra, an Indian film playback singer who sang Etthara Jenda in the movie "RRR" which this year won the Academy award for the best original song "Naatu Naatu."
Mayor Sam Joshi said he was excited that this year's Diwali celebration will feature two big artists. This is the second year the township has hosted the event.
The Festival of Lights celebration also will include a Diya lighting and fireworks after 7 p.m. Also planned is a display of 65,000 lights, 6,000 Diyas to be distributed, 32 huts for vendors, food, a kids zone as well as nine hours of performances.
The event is being presented by the mayor, Township Council and Recreation Department.
This year Diwali is officially celebrated on Nov. 12. The holiday occurs in autumn between mid-October and mid-November on the darkest day of the Lunar Month, which is the day of the New Moon.
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Diwali celebrates the themes of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and hope over despair. It is observed differently by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, creating a rich tapestry of cultural traditions and customs.
Joshi said one Hindu Diwali story tells of an exiled prince who was able to return with the help of ordinary people who lit his path with candles. He said various regions throughout India focus on different stories – but they all are unified under the theme of good triumphing over evil.
"In Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in Indiacelebrate Diwali as well," the mayor said.
Last year the Edison Diwali event attracted about 15,000 people. In a Facebook video at last year's event, Joshi, the township’s first South Asian mayor, said he planned to make it "bigger and better" this year.
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According to Joshi, the township receives about $200,000 in donations for the Diwali and Winter Wonderland events, including funds from the banks that service the Asian Indian community, Indian grocery stores, as well as industrial parks, car dealerships, Amazon and Comcast.
“Diwali is a major holiday for more than one-third of Edison residents, and I am proud to see it starting to become more widely celebrated. I invite everyone in our community to come out and celebrate our township’s rich culture," Joshi said.
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Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Jay Sean, Prudhvi Chandra to headline Edison NJ Diwali celebration
