CHICAGO: Celebrating Indian festival of color – Holi – at DuPage County Fairgrounds, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) touched the hearts as well as imaginations of not only Indian immigrants but also of many a non American with one stroke.
With the help of social media interactions, distribution of hundreds of flyers at the ethnic stores and publication of news in community newspapers, the Holi news went viral and ultimately, brought about 2,000 attendees to enjoy the brilliant blues, vibrant greens, perky pinks, dazzling music, thrilling dances, and sumptuous food and fashion items sold by 40 vendors of Illinois.
The excitement of the mainstream news media can be felt by their following headlines: Festival of Colors welcomes spring in DuPage; Colors will fly during first Holi Mela at DuPage fairgrounds; It wasn’t the sky, the grass or some early blooms that brightened the fairgrounds Saturday. It was Holi Mela: Festival of Colors.
The traditional lamp lighting with heads of several Indian organizations along with State Senator Tom Cullerton, DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan, and Dennis Jung, representing the Illinois Governor’s Office, gave the event an auspicious start. The entire program brought out the best out of the FIA board members and volunteers. “It was the perfect 10 performance,” said Sunil Shah, the founding president.
Equally inspiring has been the FIA’s current president, Onkar Sangha. “I feel honored. Today’s event made the FIA team World Cup cricket winner,” Sangha stated.
More than 25 people worked tirelessly in getting the event to a successful fruition soliciting 40 vendors, signing up with several dozen artists, bringing face painter and balloon maker, installing inflated children’s jumping house, inviting bag piper to perform free of charge, and culminating with Haldiram becoming a Grand Sponsor. Ravi Kapoor of Haldiram and Niranjan Bhai of Big Suchir brought cheers to the crowd by donating free gulal.
Shirish Shah invigorated the ambiance with his Dhol while sound person Mehmood Minhas was calibrating the sound system. Nirav Shah was promoting sponsoring vendors by running their commercials on a life-size projector. Ninad Daftari was playing music outside the main hall to engage frolicking enthusiasts. DJ Shaw showed his control on the pulse of the music.
Mona Bhalla not only emceed the program, she also sang and played the role of cheer leader of the event. Payal Shah and Shalini Saxena were beautiful complements. These three ladies bring high-octane energy to FIA sponsored programs.
Sarrang and Nipa danced on the songs of Jai Jai Shiv Shankar and Balam Pichkari. Bhupender Singh stole the hearts of the audience by singing Rang Barse, Khai Ke Pan Banaras Wala, and Chinta Ta Ta. Mahijit Singh enthralled the audience with his song Holi Khele Raghubeera. Rinki Talati and Nagada sang Dhol baje. Saarang also presented a solo song Har Ghari.
Thanks to artists from Indian Fusion, Aradhya, Jugnu, Shringar School, and Rhythm Dance who regaled the audience. Raffle was also organized for some famous entertainment shows like Adnan Sami, Ankit Tiwari, Naach Meri Jaan, Kagaz ki Kashtee, Gujjubhai Dabang, etc.
But the highlight was when participants picked up colored powder and chased each other, tossing colors into the air and covering friends and strangers alike. They patted colors onto each other’s clothes and pressed it into one another’s hair and cheeks as if embedding the stamp of love and affection.
Moon Khan & Suresh BodiwalaÂ
