FLORIDA NEWS
KARVA CHAUTH MEHNDI EVENT HELD IN TAMPA
Another successful Karva Chauth mehndi event was held Oct. 6 in the New Tampa area. Organized by Ritu Sharma (owner of Taj Indian Cuisine in Tampa) and group, this is the 12th anniversary of the event.
Originally started from Sharma’s home with about 20 ladies and one mehndi artist, numbers have reached nearly 200 ladies with 10 mehndi artists to decorate hands for the much- awaited Karva Chauth festival every year. There were several group and solo dance performances, too, to celebrate the day on which married women fast from sunrise to dark for the longevity of their husbands. There was a $26 entrance fee, which included dinner from Taj Indian Cuisine in Tampa.
Sharma can be reached at (813) 300-2585 for more information.
Teeyan DA MELA HELD IN TAMPA
The Tampa Bay community celebrated Teeyan Da Mela on Sept. 21. Teeyan is the dance festival celebrated by women in the month of Sawan. One sees the finest Giddha performances as a part of the observances. Tampa Teeyan aims to promote unity and progress and preservation of the rich culture and tradition of Punjab.
The event began with the open dholki, where the audience was invited on to the stage to participate in group singing of Punjabi traditional songs. This was followed by Punjabi solo performances.
Organizers decorated the hall with Punjabi Fulkaris and other traditional Punjabi dresses as well as with colorful clothes, flowers and garlands giving the feel of traditional Indian fair. There were stalls for mehndi, jewelry, gift items, Punjabi suits and kurtis. In addition to singing and dancing, Indian snacks and food was served by Ambarsari Zaika in New Tampa.
DIWALI FESTIVITIES CONTINUES IN FLORIDA
SOUTH FLORIDA
DAVIE: The Indian Regional and Cultural Center will hold its Diwali festivities from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at a new location – Rick Case Arena, Don Taft University Center at Nova Southeastern University, S.W. 75th Ave., Davie. The program will include music and dance performances, including bhangra, Bollywood, folk dances. Other attractions are food, fashion, jewelry and henna. Tickets are $15. Call Sanjay Gupta at (954) 461-4003 or visit www.irccflorida.org
ORLANDO/WINTER PARK
Agrawal Samaj of Orlando will hold Diwali Milan from 5 p.m. Nov. 1 at 1680 Hawkcrest Drive, Winter Park. There will be cultural programs, DJ, games. Tickets are $70 per person, $135 couple. For information, call (201) 850-3273
OCALA
India Ocala Association will celebrate Diwali from 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at Cultural and Educational Center, 2030 N.E. 36th Ave. For details, call (352) 575-1111 or visit indiaocala.org
FORT MYERS
FORT MYERS: India Association of Fort Myers will hold a Diwali Gala from 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Luminary Hotel ballroom, 2200 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers. Cost for adults is $105 members, $125 non-members, and includes five-course dinner, DJ, dancing, live Bollywood show and photo booth. To purchase tickets, visit www.iaftmyers.org
MELBOURNE/VIERA (SPACE COAST)
Indian Association of the Space Coast will hold Diwali Annual Dinner from 6 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 8 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne. Members are free; and nonmembers pay $30. For details, call (321) 271-7072.AKSHAYA PATRA HOLDS ANNUAL GALA IN WESTON
The Akshaya Patra Foundation - South Florida chapter held its annual fundraiser Oct. 17 in Weston. Dedicated to the mission of eradicating classroom hunger in India through its mid-day meal program, the gala drew community members, philanthropists and art enthusiasts.
Among the highlights was a musical ensemble led by Shrikant Pabrekar, a keyboard player and music arranger. His elegant blend of classical technique and modern flair set the tone for a powerful musical journey.
Joining him on stage was Swati Mishra, Bollywood playback singer and viral YouTube sensation; and Geetesh Iyer, a Grammy-shortlisted composer and “Indian Idol” finalist. Adding star power was Omi Vaidya.
Together, the performers presented a tapestry of Bollywood classics, devotional pieces and modern fusion hits. For Pabrekar and his fellow musicians, it was more than a concert — it was music in service of humanity.
KHAAS BAAT LAUNCHES ANNUAL SPONSOR DRIVE
By NITISH S. RELE and SHEPHALI J. RELE
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After completing our 21-year anniversary last month, we launched an annual sponsor drive to secure funds to cover production costs. Since its inception, Khaas Baat has been mailed free to subscribers around the state with only a handful of paid subscribers in the past few years. We are proud that during the pandemic we continued publishing regularly. In fact, we haven’t skipped an issue since we began printing in August 2004. Also, the entire print version of the newspaper can be found online. Since ad revenues alone do not cover our monthly production costs (printing, design, mailing), we are in need of corporate or private sponsors. Your backing will allow us to continue to publish Khaas Baat as a high-quality newspaper proudly serving our community.
Please send your contribution via Zelle to (813) 758-1786 or you can PayPal ID to: [email protected] You may also send a check addressed to KHAAS BAAT and mailed to KHAAS BAAT, 8312 WINDSOR BLUFF DRIVE, TAMPA, FL 33647.
With our festival season under way, we request community leaders and organizers to email event details to [email protected] by the 20th of the month to be included in the following month’s issue. We always welcome your story ideas and suggestions to best serve our community.
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