Ektaa Center’s “Diwali Fest” Celebrates Culture, Community, and Heritage

By Bhartti Kumar

IRVINE, CA — The ‘Diwali Fest’ organized by Ektaa Center on October 26 at the spacious Great Park amphitheater was a grand celebration of South Asian culture, drawing approximately 7,500 attendees over the course of the day.

The event, marking the Irvine, CA based Ektaa Center’s 20th year and its10th Diwali fest anniversary, featured live performances, traditional cuisine, and stalls displaying handcrafted artwork and Indian apparel, creating a vibrant community gathering in celebration of the festival of lights.

Reflecting on the festival’s history, Harish Murthy, co-founder of Ektaa Center, shared, “We’ve organized this festival every year since 2014, except during the pandemic. Our first event at City Hall welcomed around 500 people, and over the last three years, we’ve consistently hosted 4,000 to 6,000 attendees. This year, however, is our largest turnout yet.”

In the spotlight

Diwali Fest attendees were treated to dynamic live performances by over 25 dance academy groups, featuring more than 200 dancers spanning all age groups. Performances ranged from classical Indian dances to Bollywood numbers, infusing the celebration with high energy and cultural richness.

A special collaborative segment titled “Milan,” presented by well-known classical dancer Ramya Harishankar, brought together diverse art forms such as tabla with Latin percussion, Carnatic fusion with symphony, and Indian classical dances paired with Japanese Taiko drums, symbolizing cultural harmony.

In the food section, traditional Indian treats were a major draw, along with fusion offerings like pizza topped with Indian flavors. Stalls selling Diwali-themed crafts and traditional clothing saw eager crowds throughout the day, while local businesses engaged visitors with brochures and raffle opportunities.

A Community Gathering

The lamp-lighting ceremony, a hallmark of Diwali, featured local and state dignitaries, including Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, Vice-Mayor Larry Agran, CA State Senator Dave Min, and Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent, each offering Diwali greetings. Murthy took the opportunity to thank attendees, volunteers, and participants for making the event a success.

One standout performance came from Naadbramha LA, a 40-member band that brought a lively display of Western Indian drumming with dhols, tassa drums, and brass cymbals. Audience members joined in dancing, enjoying the rhythmic beats that connected them to centuries-old traditions.

Vision

Closing the festival, Canadian singer-songwriter Abby V captivated the audience with a blend of classical and contemporary music, drawing in the crowd with devotional songs, fun party numbers, and a variety of songs in multiple languages, engaging everyone in the emotions and rhythms of the evening.

Preeti Singh, a board member, shared her pride in the center’s growth, saying, “I connected with Ektaa Center 12 years ago. The growth has far exceeded our expectations.”

Founders Harish Murthy and Ramya Harishankar – a husband and wife duo – reflected on the organization’s journey, sharing that Ektaa Center was established to address the need for cultural experiences within the diaspora. “Through the ’90s, we presented renowned artists through the Aparna Foundation, which eventually evolved into Ektaa Center with a vision to ‘build better communities’ by promoting an awareness and appreciation of India’s arts and culture,” Murthy said.

Looking Ahead

Ektaa Center’s programming includes not only the Diwali Fest but also events like “Ragaspirit,” a festival uniting North and South Indian music, and “Nachle India,” a showcase of Indian dance styles. Reflecting on Ektaa’s mission, Murthy added, “As an organization, we will continue our educational focus, providing cultural experiences that deepen the community’s understanding of India and its diverse art forms. These traditions carry important values that can enrich lives for generations to come.”

As Ektaa Center looks forward, Murthy’s personal hope for the organization is for it to be “a carrier of community, harmony, and peace through the arts and culture.”