Ektaa Center Achieves Milestones In A Packed Fall Season
IRVINE, CA — Southern California’s Ektaa Center experienced a remarkable and bustling Fall season this year, with a series of events that showcased India’s rich arts and culture, fostering inclusivity and collaboration.
Kicking off the season was the highly successful fifth iteration of the Ragaspirit Festival on September 24, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Renowned music icons Anup Jalota, Abhijit Banerjee, and Taranath Bhattacharya captivated the audience with their performances and lighthearted interactions.
On October 14 in a commitment to its vision and mission of inclusion, Ektaa Center also represented India at the popular Irvine Global Village held at the OC Great Park.
Breaking new ground, Ektaa Center marked a historic first with the Pacific Symphony’s Fall festival at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa on October 21. The festival featured the debut of upcoming composer Aashray Harishankar’s piece in Ragam Chakravakam/Ahir Bhairav, performed by the 50-piece Symphony and accompanied by talented young musicians from the Diaspora.
The 9th annual Diwali Fest took place on October 28, at the OC Great Park, attracting over 6000 attendees, including city and county officials. Supported by Lexus, the festival showcased India’s arts and culture through music and dance performances by over 100 community participants and featured offerings from popular restaurants, caterers, and vendors.
Under the Ektaa umbrella, the South Asian Senior Association, led by Board member Preeti Singh, has been providing essential services to elders in the community during and beyond the pandemic. The association’s Diwali gathering in November at the Lakeview Senior Center here was a sold-out success.
Ektaa Center presented Malavika Sarukkai’s Anubandh as part of the prestigious Irvine Barclay Theatre’s 2023-24 Dance series on November 18 which was an unforgettable evening celebrating the vibrancy of Indian dance and culture.
