大象传媒

In short...

Themes: the Hindu festival of Diwali; celebrating world religions; the story of Rama and Sita; good overcoming evil; light overcoming darkness.

Summary: Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. The festival celebrates new beginnings and the Hindu New Year. It usually takes place in October or November - the exact date is determined by the Hindu lunar calendar. It is closely associated with the story of Rama and Sita.

Resources: the to download as a pdf; a poster showing the and a .

The video

Diwali - The story of Rama and Sita

Dashratha, King of Ayodhya, has four sons by three different wives: Rama (the eldest), Lakshman and Satrugna (who are twins) and Bharat (the youngest). Rama has married Sita and Dashratha wishes to pass the throne to his eldest son. But the mother of Dashratha's youngest son, Barat, is jealous and wants her child to be king. She forces Dashratha to exile Rama, Sita and Lakshman to the forest for 14 years.

In the forest the evil demon Ravana seizes Sita and takes her to his island home of Lanka. Rama follows a trail of Sita's jewellery and then meets Hanuman, the monkey king. Hanuman uses his power of flight to discover where Sita is and then, with Rama, they raise an army of animals and march on Lanka. Rama kills Ravana with a magic arrow and then, their exile over, he returns to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshman. The people light their way home with little lamps left outside their homes.

End of speech: '鈥yodhya could once more be at peace.'

Duration: 5' 05"

Video questions

  • Who are the oldest and youngest of Dashratha's children (Rama and Bharat)
  • What is the name of Rama's wife? (Sita)
  • How does the evil demon Ravana trick Rama and Sita? (He magics a golden deer to lure Rama away; he disguises himself as an old man to trick Sita)
  • Who is Hanuman and what special power does he have? (The monkey king; he can fly)
  • How does Rama defeat Ravana? (He kills him with a magic arrow which was a gift from the gods)
  • How do Rama and Sita find their way home? (The people light their way home with little lamps outside their homes)

Resources

Download / print the assembly framework ready for use

Assembly framework (pdf)

Display a poster of the characters in the Rama and Sita story

Poster - The characters in the story

Slideshow: diva lights image

Click to display a slideshow of six images of diva lights

Slideshow: diva lights

Suggested assembly framework

1. Entry music
As the children enter select from a range of music hinting at the theme of the assembly - eg 'Celebration' (Kool and the Gang). Or you could play a piece of Indian music (there are various songs online celebrating Rama and Sita) or you could consider using the backing tracks to the suggested songs below, which are available here.

2. Introduction
Ask everyone to close their eyes and spend a moment picturing a light shining in the darkness. If you prefer you could display the gallery of diva lights. Then ask everyone to open their eyes again and ask if anyone would like to share how the image of a light shining in the darkness made them feel. Tell the assembly that a light shining in darkness is a common feature in many stories and a theme of many festivals - including the Hindu festival of Diwali, which is known as the 'Festival of Light'. Tell the assembly that a light shining in darkness is an important feature of the story of Rama and Sita - which is an ancient story often told at Diwali.

3. The video
Play the video. The duration is 5' 05" and the final words are '鈥ould be at peace again.'

4. After the video
Ask everyone to tell the person next to them two things they can remember from the video and their favourite part of the story. Then lead a discussion of the story by asking some or all of the following:

  • What is Diwali? (The Hindu festival of light).
  • What is the name of the story that Hindus remember at Diwali? (Rama and Sita).
  • Why were Rama and Sita banished to the forest? (Because Bharat's mother demanded it and King Dashratha had once promised to grant her one wish).
  • How did Ravana manage to seize Sita and take her away? (He created a golden deer to lure Rama and away and then disguised himself as an old man to trick Sita).
  • Who helped Rama to get Sita back? (Hanuman - the monkey king).
  • How did Rama defeat Ravana? (With a magic arrow).
  • What role does light shining in the dark have in the story? (The little lamps lighting the way home for Rama and Sita鈥ore broadly light overcoming darkness and good overcoming evil).

5. Opportunity to sing
An opportunity to sing your chosen song. Suggestions from 大象传媒 collections below.

6. Opportunity for reflection
Focus the reflection on 'light' - linking to a key theme of Diwali. Ask children to think carefully as you lead the reflection:
What makes you see the light鈥?
Sometimes we have to search hard for a light when life isn't great鈥
Rama and Sita were like lights shining brightly for each other鈥
How can you be the light shining for somebody in your life鈥?
How can you light the way to do the things you wish to do and become the things you wish to be鈥?

7. Opportunity for prayer
These thoughts could also be turned in to a prayer, using your standard form of address ('Dear God', 'Dear Lord', 'Let us pray', etc) and:
You tell me to walk in your light.
I hope that I can walk in your light and create my own light for others to see and feel.
Help me to be a bright beacon of light so that I can guide the way for others.
When I struggle to see your light, remind me where it is so that I can live a truly colourful, bright life.
Amen.

Suggested songs

Song: 'Peace is flowing' (Come and Praise, no 144. Vocal version)

Song: 'Chain of love' (All about our school, no 14. Vocal version)

'Celebration rap' (Come and Praise Beginning, no 7).

Related links

A to download / print.
Our KS1 assembly for Diwali. This assembly also features the story of Rama and Sita and is suitable for a younger age group.
Our KS2 assembly for Diwali, featuring a film about a Hindu family celebrating Diwali, including making rangoli decorations.
A slideshow of Diwali diva lamps, suitable to display during a time of reflection.
What is Diwali? from 大象传媒 Bitesize.