BY SONAM MIRPURI
ARTESIA, CA - The Global Peace Foundation Inc. in association with the Federation of Indian American Associations, Indian Community of Southern California and Multicultural Associations hosted a Grand Diwali Mela on November 7 at the Artesia Park here attended by around 3000 people who came to enjoy the...
ARTESIA, CA - The Global Peace Foundation Inc. in association with the Federation of Indian American Associations, Indian Community of Southern California and Multicultural Associations hosted a Grand Diwali Mela on November 7 at the Artesia Park here attended by around 3000 people who came to enjoy the...
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fun filled evening with food, cultural performances, singing, dancing and vendors. The event started off with committee members from the hosting organizations coming together on stage for the lamp lightning ceremony, a significant aspect of the festival of lights.. This was followed by a cultural program. Performances of the night ranged from the various regions of India. The dances performed exemplified the different parts of India coming together to celebrate Diwali. Two of the multiple dances were performed by professional artists from the Sri Lanka Foundation Performing Arst Center.
In addition, performances were put up by students of Puman Kumar, Paulomi Pandit and a Bhangra group. The solo performers were Aditi Bhatyacharya, Ipshita Bhatyacharya, and Swarnava Sarangi.
On the stage were two idols of Ganesha and Laxmi donated by one of the many sponsors of this event, Suresh and Nalani Bhati. These two statues were later sold to the highest bidder - Dinesh Roy who purchased the idols for $300 and $325 respectively.
Finally, the time had come for the highly anticipated part of the night.. Starting off with a bhajan, Preetysha and Sameer sang the title song from “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” which was originally sang by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.
“I always start by remembering god, because when you remember god first then everything goes well,” said Preetysha, to the applause of the audience. The next song on the track list was “Manwa Laage” from “Happy New Year,” following which came “Teri Ore” from “Singh is King.”
Fulfilling a request from the audience, Preetysha sang “Aaja Re Pardesi” and went on with old favorites like “Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum.” Coming to more contemporary songs was “Zoobi Doobi” from “3 Idiots.”
Then it was time for a mashup of non-stop dance songs like “Kajra Re” “Crazy Kiya Re” “Sheila Ki Jawaani” concluding with “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire.”
As the audience listened to the upbeat remix, they clapped along with the music and some even got up out of their chairs to shake a leg. The music continued with Preetysha and Sameer singing garba and bhangra songs till the night came to a close.
Earlier, a Rath Yatra was organized by Roshan Khandpur and chanting was done by ISCKON devotees . . Dr C.K Srinivasa, Deputy Consul General attended the program and presented shawls to ISCKON devotees. Walter Jayasinghe, President of Sri Lanka Foundation Los Angeles was also present. Booths ranging from food, clothing, jewelry did brisk business throughout the evening. There was a rangoli competition, dandiya raas and entertainment for the children. A medical camp and health fair was also held which was attended by around 400 people. This fair was free to all and the services included a check up as well as a blood test. A cardiologist was present to give advise to all those who requested it.
There were 15 volunteers who came from the Cerritos Community College Nursing School to assist the physicians present who were Dr. Nitin Shah, Dr. Bhatt, and Dr. Prakash Deedwania. The health fair was organized by Lal Thakrar and Dr. Nitin Shah.
In addition, performances were put up by students of Puman Kumar, Paulomi Pandit and a Bhangra group. The solo performers were Aditi Bhatyacharya, Ipshita Bhatyacharya, and Swarnava Sarangi.
On the stage were two idols of Ganesha and Laxmi donated by one of the many sponsors of this event, Suresh and Nalani Bhati. These two statues were later sold to the highest bidder - Dinesh Roy who purchased the idols for $300 and $325 respectively.
Finally, the time had come for the highly anticipated part of the night.. Starting off with a bhajan, Preetysha and Sameer sang the title song from “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” which was originally sang by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.
“I always start by remembering god, because when you remember god first then everything goes well,” said Preetysha, to the applause of the audience. The next song on the track list was “Manwa Laage” from “Happy New Year,” following which came “Teri Ore” from “Singh is King.”
Fulfilling a request from the audience, Preetysha sang “Aaja Re Pardesi” and went on with old favorites like “Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum.” Coming to more contemporary songs was “Zoobi Doobi” from “3 Idiots.”
Then it was time for a mashup of non-stop dance songs like “Kajra Re” “Crazy Kiya Re” “Sheila Ki Jawaani” concluding with “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire.”
As the audience listened to the upbeat remix, they clapped along with the music and some even got up out of their chairs to shake a leg. The music continued with Preetysha and Sameer singing garba and bhangra songs till the night came to a close.
Earlier, a Rath Yatra was organized by Roshan Khandpur and chanting was done by ISCKON devotees . . Dr C.K Srinivasa, Deputy Consul General attended the program and presented shawls to ISCKON devotees. Walter Jayasinghe, President of Sri Lanka Foundation Los Angeles was also present. Booths ranging from food, clothing, jewelry did brisk business throughout the evening. There was a rangoli competition, dandiya raas and entertainment for the children. A medical camp and health fair was also held which was attended by around 400 people. This fair was free to all and the services included a check up as well as a blood test. A cardiologist was present to give advise to all those who requested it.
There were 15 volunteers who came from the Cerritos Community College Nursing School to assist the physicians present who were Dr. Nitin Shah, Dr. Bhatt, and Dr. Prakash Deedwania. The health fair was organized by Lal Thakrar and Dr. Nitin Shah.
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