As Dhamaal Trump Promised, Diwali Mela was HUGE Crowds Swelled like Indian Local Train Station
SUGAR LAND: Amazing cooling temperatures and Bollywood singer Aditya Narayan filled another sold-out stadium at Masala Radio’s HOUSTON DIWALI MELA presented by Star Plus, as well as Tara Energy, Xfinity by Comcast, and Mercedes Benz of Sugar Land. Some described the crowds on Saturday, October 22, from 5 pm – 11 pm, at Constellation Field like those on an “Indian local train station.” Where else in the world can you encounter a live, full-bellied Ganeshji, and ten steps later watch a flawless imitator of Michael Jackson dance to Hollywood-Bollywood music. Or where Dhamaal Trump (AKA Masala Radio Lead RJ, Sunil T) answers tougher questions than the US Election Debates coming from “Kaun Banega Crore-Pati’s” Amitabh Bachchan (AKA Masala Radio Jockey Rajoo Waddy). Indeed, it took a village of Masala Event Managers, Sponsors, Volunteers and Vendors to put together one of the Indian community’s signature events, from Maharaja styled entrances, to gorgeously-decorated jewelry and fashions booths, gigantic 3-level stage with impeccable sound and lights, additional 3 stages of entertainment, inflatable-carousel-playground kids rides, CO2 and pyro effects, and on-site cooked Indian cuisine.
Lining up well before 5PM, guests were dazzled by the Ganeshji, jaw dropping pink and orange Mahararaj arches by Blink Decor, and Living Statues of Laxmi, Sita-Ram-Laxman, and Shiv-Parvati-Ganesh. Beautiful chania-choli clad Apsaras offered a traditional tilak welcome, inviting all to the Star Plus presented Houston Diwali Mela with electric Tara Energy dance performances, Aditya Narayan Concert by Xfinity, Mercedes Benz of Sugar Land Fireworks, Ramji & Associates Rangoli Competition, Alings Hakka Fire Dancers, Design Your Ensemble Fashion Show, Britannia Bazaar, Karya Kids Rides, Hindus of Greater Houston Maha Arti, SKAI Foundation Hindu Gods Parade, and Spectacular Venue by Harvest Green and Imperial Market. Chef Nirman Shah presented freshly prepared Mumbai Street Foods, like his famous Raj Kachori – from Chowpatty Chat Co. Hillcroft and Chowpatty Express Katy. Rice & Spice, Hyderabad House, and Kwality Ice Cream filled patrons with delicious full course Indian cuisine, ice creams and Kulfi. Samir Sanghani, first time attendee, said “Everything was very addicting, my wife Mona could not leave the Bazaar shops, my son Nikhil was glued to the “Eliminator”, the huge inflatable ride while the other son Saajan rode the carousel 5 times in a row, and my parents kept going back to try different food dishes. I was in a festival buzz all night.”
Aditya Narayan
Xfinity by Comcast presented Aditya Narayan, five-time SaReGaMaPa host and son of legendary Bollywood Singer Udit Narayan. After a Sholay-style entry on a white motorcycle sidecar, Aditya emotionally stirred the crowds with “Pehla Nasha” and “Tum Hi Ho.” Echoing his father, legendary Udity Narayan, he got on his knees holding hands with lucky girls from the audience. Frenzy built up to his riveting “Tattad Tattad” with a finale of fireworks personifying the Triumph of Good over Evil. Aditya sang until 11:00 PM with hit after hit, joined in with a variety of background dancers from Arya Dance Academy, Roarin Raas, the audience, and of course Sunil T and the Crazy Masala Crew!
Comedian Sunil Thakkar led 3 hours of non-stop main stage entertainment of Bollywood, Folk, Semi-classical, Bhangra, and some westernized Mash-Ups, in order: US Desi Gals, Htown Lil Pathakaz, Kathak Nritya Kala Kendra, Holding Space Fire Dancers, Bollywood Dancing Stars, Rhythm India, Roarin’ Raas, Arya Dance Academy, and Infused Performing Arts. Rangoli judges were challenged to pick just one or two winners from dozens of entries featuring Ramayan scenes, from Hanuman, son of the Wind God, to colored rice and mixed dals kaleidoscopes; ultimately judges split the $1001 Ramji & Associates prize between 9 top entries.
Chef Nirman Shah (in red chef coat) presented freshly prepared Mumbai Street Foods (picture on the right). He is seen in picture above with Sunil Thakkar and Salim (missing in the piture is Samir from Chowpatty Express Katy)
A heavenly procession of Hindu Gods exuded vibrant Darshan before manifesting on the stage for the Hindus of Greater Houston’s soul-stirring Maha Arti of 5000 LED lights led by Grand, Platinum, Diamond, Gold Sponsors (mentioned previously) and Silver Sponsors including Anand & Dr. Ashima Chauhan, Brij & Sunita Agarwal, Govind & Renu Agarwal, Fiesta, One Step Diagnostic, NYL Amirali Dodhiya, Perry Homes, Amaya Clinic, Plaza Jewelers, Sling Intl.
Masala Radio would like to thanks its dream management Masala Crew: Office: Rinku, Devangi, Shreya, Carlos, Sonali & Dhaval. Event: Ruchir, Shah, Ninad, Devan, Nimi, Ina, Natasha, Ayesha, Mayur, Anuj, Lauhael, Aditi, Pragati and Iman. Stage: Preanka, Dilip, Rajoo, Mehran, Sunny, DJ Zee, Ashka, Krupa, Shreya P., Rupal, and Chris. Organizers Sunil & Sandhya Thakkar request feedback at events@masalaradio.com and look forward to new concepts for Diwali 2017. Halo Re Halo!
Photography: Carlos Pena, Gaurav Hariyani, & Meedu Photogrpahy.
More Photos coming soon to HoustonDiwali.com and www.facebook.com/HoustonDiwali.