BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
ARTESIA, CA - ‘Little-India’ on Pioneer Blvd here sparkled with lights and a festive feel on the evening of October 21 when the city came together to celebrate Diwali. The street was closed to traffic from 186th to 188th , for the Grand Diwali Mela hosted by the Federation of Indian American Associations and the City of Artesia,
ARTESIA, CA - ‘Little-India’ on Pioneer Blvd here sparkled with lights and a festive feel on the evening of October 21 when the city came together to celebrate Diwali. The street was closed to traffic from 186th to 188th , for the Grand Diwali Mela hosted by the Federation of Indian American Associations and the City of Artesia,
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who welcomed attendees to a day of entertainment and celebration that included carnivals, shopping booths, food stalls, variety performances and musical concert by Bollywood singers Apurv Shahh and Mayuri. Thousands flocked to the venue to enjoy the festivities . The emcees for the event were FIA President Ishwar Deedwania and Bani Mukherjee who hosted the first two hours of cultural performances, like dances, demonstrations, and music by young kids and local performers
Several children dressed in brilliant costumes performed on a variety of Bollywood songs. A Bharatanatyam piece and folk dances from Gujarat and Punjab were also performed. Later, all performers were
awarded certificates for their brilliant display and participation.
After the cultural segment, the lamp lighting ceremony took place with Artesia city council members , dignitaries and FIA committee members coming together to recognize the value of Diwali as a symbol of goodness and hope. Organizers included Ishwar Deedwania, Gurupal Singh, Ravji Patel, Manu Patel, Sunil Shah, Bhavin Mehta, Bani Mukherjee, Mahesh Goel, Hemang Oza, Munish Makkar, Rakesh Khandelwal, Pravin Pujara, and Roshan Khandpur. Artesia Mayor Ali Sajjad Taj explained the significance of Diwali just before leading the traditional lamp lighting ceremony. He said, “This festival here in the city of Artesia represents the unity that we have here. We’re so happy this celebration can bring us all together.”
Deedwania called the Diwali Mela an ideal way to keep Indian Americans in Southern California connected to their culture. “It is a way to celebrate Diwali and let our children know what it is.”
City Mayor Pro-Tem Sally Flowers talking to IJ, elatedly mentioned about the colorful culture of the Indian-American community and welcomed Diwali event as a means to promote and encourage economic development in Artesia. Artesia Council Member Tony Lima also took part in several festivities and enjoyed the celebration.
The night culminated with an empowering musical concert by singers Mayuri and Apurv Shahh. , who gained popularity through Zee TV’s ‘Saregamapa 2007’ & Sony TV’s ‘K for Kishore’, wowed the audience with hit Bollywood songs like ‘Tere Sang Yaara’, ‘Tainu Itna Main Pyar Karun’, ‘Channa Mere Ya’, and many more romantic hits. Complementing Shah’s pitch was versatile singer Mayuri who sang some evergreen songs like ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh’ and ‘Kaun Tujhe Yun Pyar Karega’. Both artists capped the Diwali Mela with a high level of enthusiasm and energy. The show culminated in a rousing standing ovation as attendees cheered on all the performers of the night. Other attractions of the night included clothing and jewelry stores and restaurants that kept their doors open for shoppers. With visitors strolling up and down Pioneer Blvd., the size of the crowd swelled into the thousands and filled the entire area.
Around 25 booths with a range of products were set up including food, financial services and religion.
Several children dressed in brilliant costumes performed on a variety of Bollywood songs. A Bharatanatyam piece and folk dances from Gujarat and Punjab were also performed. Later, all performers were
awarded certificates for their brilliant display and participation.
After the cultural segment, the lamp lighting ceremony took place with Artesia city council members , dignitaries and FIA committee members coming together to recognize the value of Diwali as a symbol of goodness and hope. Organizers included Ishwar Deedwania, Gurupal Singh, Ravji Patel, Manu Patel, Sunil Shah, Bhavin Mehta, Bani Mukherjee, Mahesh Goel, Hemang Oza, Munish Makkar, Rakesh Khandelwal, Pravin Pujara, and Roshan Khandpur. Artesia Mayor Ali Sajjad Taj explained the significance of Diwali just before leading the traditional lamp lighting ceremony. He said, “This festival here in the city of Artesia represents the unity that we have here. We’re so happy this celebration can bring us all together.”
Deedwania called the Diwali Mela an ideal way to keep Indian Americans in Southern California connected to their culture. “It is a way to celebrate Diwali and let our children know what it is.”
City Mayor Pro-Tem Sally Flowers talking to IJ, elatedly mentioned about the colorful culture of the Indian-American community and welcomed Diwali event as a means to promote and encourage economic development in Artesia. Artesia Council Member Tony Lima also took part in several festivities and enjoyed the celebration.
The night culminated with an empowering musical concert by singers Mayuri and Apurv Shahh. , who gained popularity through Zee TV’s ‘Saregamapa 2007’ & Sony TV’s ‘K for Kishore’, wowed the audience with hit Bollywood songs like ‘Tere Sang Yaara’, ‘Tainu Itna Main Pyar Karun’, ‘Channa Mere Ya’, and many more romantic hits. Complementing Shah’s pitch was versatile singer Mayuri who sang some evergreen songs like ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh’ and ‘Kaun Tujhe Yun Pyar Karega’. Both artists capped the Diwali Mela with a high level of enthusiasm and energy. The show culminated in a rousing standing ovation as attendees cheered on all the performers of the night. Other attractions of the night included clothing and jewelry stores and restaurants that kept their doors open for shoppers. With visitors strolling up and down Pioneer Blvd., the size of the crowd swelled into the thousands and filled the entire area.
Around 25 booths with a range of products were set up including food, financial services and religion.
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