Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 CITY VIEWS November 21, 2025 Surati Holds Joyous Diwali Gala 2025 In Jersey City T he Jersey City-based non-profit art and culture organization, Surati for Perform- ing Arts, held its first Diwali Gala Novem- ber 7, 2025, at Barrow Mansion in Jersey City. While Surati has organized several Diwali celebrations in the past, this marked its inaugural formal Gala, uniting culture, art- istry, and community in an evening that truly embodied the spirit of the Festival o Lights, the organization said in a press release. The evening brought together artists, digni- taries, community members, and supporters, beginning with a VIP cocktail reception, vendor displays, and a silent auction featuring commu- nity-donated items and cultural experiences. The event celebrated 23 years of Surati’s jour- ney of providing artistic work, and community engagement through a video presentation. The Gala’s performanc- es were curated by Surati Founder and Executive Artistic Director Rimli Roy and included a range of Indian classical, folk, and contemporary art forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Rajasthani Ghoomar, Bollywood, belly dance, and modern fusion pieces. Roy’s segment included dancers who performed classical and modern fusion items by Hitanshi Patel, Harsha Harikumar, Vidhya Dinesh, Alisha De- sai, Avishi Jain, and Kijana Lewis. The evening also fea- tured a tabla and cajón fusion by Abhinav Acharya and Kaleb Hassell, followed by an Indian Raaga Jazz fusion by guest artist Sumit Roy from Kolkata, on the piano, accompanied by Abhinav on the tablas. The second act included excerpts from Ramaavan – A Musical, Surati’s NEA award-winning original produc- tion, envisioned, re-imagined, and created by Roy, which also toured India in 2024 by a special invitation by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Inspired by the Ramayana, the segment was performed by Jona- than Power, Andrew Leonforte, Paulina Yeung, Madison Halla, Harsha Harikumar, Hitanshi Patel, Kijana Lewis, and Vidhya Dinesh, earning a standing ovation. Ramaavan is an original production with music composed by Sumit Roy and Rajesh Roy, and lyrics and verses written by Arati Roy. The finale featured a live music performance by Jayanta Banerjee. Guest artist from India Sumit Roy, a singer, composer, and mentor from Kolkata, concluded the program with a medley of Calypso, retro, and Indian folk songs, bring- ing the audience to their feet before the night wrapped up with a lively DJ set. Among the distinguished attendees were Piyush Singh, Consul (Political, Press, Informa- tion & Culture), Consulate General of India in NewYork; Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey; Brian Murray from Hudson County Cultural Affairs; Hudson County Commissioner Yraida Lipski, and Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Surati’s Diwali Gala sponsors were Albrich Academy of Excellence (AAE), represented by owner Dorota Mani, serving as the event’s principal silent auction contributor and community sponsor, Hudson County Cultural & Heritage Affairs / Tourism Develop- ment, and LeFrak & Newport Associates Development Company. “Surati and Rimli Roy have been doing excellent work for the last two decades, bringing cultures together and bridging gaps between people so that communi- ties can better understand, collaborate, and grow,” said Piyush Singh. Rimli Roy noted that the event was a celebration of India’s rich heritage, and added, “Having my father, the legendary composer and performing artist from India, Sumit Roy, perform alongside our company artists in the presence of my mother, Arati Roy, also a very gifted writer and lyricist, was deeply personal and a reminder of Surati’s roots and mission — connecting generations, cultures, and hearts through art. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Surati for Performing Arts One of the numerous cultural and dance performances at the Surati for Performing Arts Diwali Gala 2025, held in Jersey City, NJ, November 7, 2025. Special guests at the event including Piyush Singh, Consul (Political, Press, Information & Culture) from the Indian Consulate in New York, seen with Rimli Roy. Composer and performing artist from India, Sumit Roy, (Rimli Roy’s father), performed at the Diwali Gala in Jersey City Nov. 7, 2025. Promo Of Christmas Karma Lights Up Times Square T he promo for Gurind- er Chadha’s newest film CHRISTMAS KARMA lit up the video screen in Times Square ahead of its theatrical release. Made by famed British di- rector Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Blinded By The Light), CHRISTMAS KARMA sees one of history’s greatest novels – Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – transformed into a fresh, fes- tive and feel-good Christmas musical. At Times Square, to cel- ebrate the occasion, dancers fromMasala Bhangra Group Fitness accompanied the premiere of the video in the heart of NewYork City with their special energetic moves and dhol player for a unique promotion. Now playing in cinemas, CHRISTMAS KARMA stars Ku- nal Nayyar, Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, and Boy George and has a hit soundtrack out now featuring music fromMalkit Singh, Jassi Sidhu, Panjabi MC, Nitin Sawhney and more. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Box Office Guru Bhangra group joins celebrations at Times Square which lit up with the promoi for Gurinder Chadha’s newest film, Christmas Karma. Poster of Christmas Karma.