Community Spirit Soars As Thousands Flock To Vibrant Ektaa Diwali Fest

Photos: Subhadra Photographay

By BHARTTI KUMAR

IRVINE, CA – The 11th annual Diwali Fest at the Great Park amphitheater on October 5 drew, by some estimates, nearly 8,000 attendees for a day-long celebration of art, tradition, and community.

What began in 2014 as a small gathering of 500 people at Irvine City Hall has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events.

The festival’s stage came alive with performances from over 25 community groups, representing a wide range of ages and artistic styles. The segment, ‘Milan’, curated by well-known danseuse Ramya Harishankar, highlighted unique collaborative performances with the Pan American Chinese Dance Company, the Arpana Dance Company, and Indonesian group Burat Wangi Gamelan, which included members from the Indian diaspora.

A special Qawwali presentation added a soulful note to the evening while the large projector screens flanking the stage ensured that every attendee had a front-row view of all the performances.

The festive atmosphere extended beyond the stage. Visitors explored 27 vendor booths offering colorful clothing, jewelry, art, handicrafts, souvenirs, and services like real estate information. Aromas from 14 food stalls drew long lines, serving a variety of spicy snacks and sweet treats.

The ceremonial lighting of the lamp was a central segment of the day, bringing together dignitaries including Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Consul General of India in Los Angeles; Mayor of Irvine Larry Agran; Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley; City Councilmembers James Mai and Melinda Liu; Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent; and Harish Murthy, co-founder of Ektaa Center and the main force behind the event. Each shared warm Diwali greetings, underscoring the festival’s significance as a cherished community tradition.

Organizing such a large event requires careful planning, Murthy told India-West. “The success energizes us each year. We have had a change of venue every couple of years, which requires a reset in terms of resource management, site planning, layout, and financial commitments.”

Murthy emphasized that Ektaa’s mission aligns closely with the spirit of Diwali. “Our vision is to bring light in times of darkness, use knowledge over ignorance, and build awareness and understanding between people,” he said.