AFTER the overwhelming success of Glen Waverley's Lantern Festival, Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris will pitch for a new Indian festival at the next council meeting.
Earlier this month, the Lantern Festival in Kingsway attracted a record 30,000 people to its free entertainment, food stalls, cultural exhibitions and traditional Chinese dancers.
Its success has inspired Cr Klisaris to push for a new festival for the municipality's fourth-largest group, Indian-born residents.
According to the 2006 census, 4706 Monash residents were born in India, making it the fourth-most-common birthplace behind Australia (87,589), China (8313) and Greece (4880).
Cr Klisaris said he would work with the council to prepare a report, which he hoped to present at the next council meeting on March 10.
He will seek support for a Bollywood-style concert to coincide with the opening of the Commonwealth Games next year.
He envisaged a "celebration of our diverse community" with Bollywood-style dancing and singing with lots of movement, colourful costumes, entertainment stalls and cultural cuisine.
"In times of hardship, festivals are a great way to take our minds off our troubles, learn about different cultures and enjoy ourselves," Cr Klisaris said.
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