‘Tis is the season for garba, kolu and Durga maa and Toronto has it all

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Jonita Gandhi seen here with AR Rahman during one of his stops in North America. A documentary film One Heart touches on the tours’ highlight. Rahman will also be performing a concert in Brampton, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at Brampton’s Powerade Centre, 7575 Kennedy Rd.

Juggling multiple projects with a wary eye on looming deadlines is never a good idea. I should know. I am swamped.

So, I have decided to work smart. Here’s news, in bite-sized chunks to tide you over until I can get to that in-depth profile.

AR Rahman will be stopping by Brampton, Friday, Oct. 20 at the Powerade Centre, 7575 Kennedy Rd. at 7 p.m. Grab those tickets now.

On a related note: Our own nightingale Jonita Gandhi on whom I have written numerous stories makes an appearance in a just-released documentary on AR Rahman on his North American Intimate Tour (NAIT) series.

The film, One Heart features in-depth interviews with Rahman as well as members from his tour and is playing in Cineplex theatres across GTA.

“Being the lead female singer on the AR Rahman North America Intimate Tour was an unforgettable experience,” said Jonita in a press release. “I’m so grateful that Rahman sir trusted me with the task of delivering so many of his hits live on stage. I learned a lot about myself as a singer and performer during those 18 shows, and I’m so happy that parts of it have been captured and presented so beautifully in One Heart for everyone to enjoy.

It was Gandhi’s cover of a popular Christmas song (the video was shot in downtown Brampton some years ago by her brother)  that caught Rahman’s interest. Soon after, he invited her to be part of his tour.

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Desi Royals Entertainment is hosting Garba 2017 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.

‘Tis is the season for Garba.

Navratri (festival of nine days), celebrated by Hindus in India, signals to us that it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get ready to juggle rush-hour commute and office deadlines with some serious partying and prayers and rituals.

Here in Toronto, notice there’s an air of anticipation because the working mom and dads, dressed in business casual clothes from 9 to 5, toss them aside as soon as they get home to garb themselves in stunning ghaghra/choli, Kanjeevaram sarees, kurta/pyjamas and head to temples, homes, arenas for participating in pooja followed by dance and revelry.

So, on Saturday, Sept. 16, the Desi Royals Entertainment, is hosting its Garba 2017 at the Hershey Centre, 5500 Rose Cherry Pl. Mississauga at 7 p.m. It’s one of the biggest celebrations happening here in the GTA.

Hemant Chauhan and group will deliver string of Garba/Dandiya tracks to keep you in synch with your dancing partner. Interested? visit www.desiroyals.com.

 

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Dream merchants

Marriages are made in heaven, right? but weddings are more earthly and hell, need to be just perfect.

It’s pretty obvious that Suhaag: The wedding show clearly fills a much-needed service when it comes to your wedding needs. Mandap, clothes, jewelry, gifts, food, fashion and more catering to specific desi tastes. Those opulent sets are so awesome and intricate, you’ll want to get hitched, again.

The annual Suhaag show is happening Sunday, Sept. 17 at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd. from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be fashion shows.

For more visit here.

Bit of house-keeping here: If you want your events included in the monthly events calendar, please send me the details, including where, what, when and who along with a high-rez photograph from previous years. Your listings must reach us a month in advance. Send the submissions to: toronto.desidiaries@gmail.com.

Festival season gets underway in Toronto

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Saturday, Sept. 2

Event: Onam in Mississauga
Details: The Coptic Centre. 1245 Eglinton Ave. W. is the venue for an Onam celebration happening noon onward. There will be an onasadhya, entertainment and more. Even hosted by Mississauga Kerala Association.
Contact: Here

Saturday, Sept. 9

Event: Onam in North York
Details: The Toronto Malayalee Samajam is hosting an Onam celebration at Senator O’ Connor College, 60 Rowena Dr., North York at 4 p.m.
Contact: Here

Event: Classical concert
Details: Raag-Mala Toronto will be hosting a two-part concert series with Sougata Roy Chowdhury (sarod) and Mitali Bhawmik (vocal) at the McLeod Auditorium, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto at 7 p.m.
Contact: Here

Event: Navratri Ramzat
Details: The Gitanjali Group is hosting a Navratri Ramzat at the Vaughan Sporsplex, 8301 Keele St. Concord at 7 p.m.
Contact: Here

Event: Ehasaas
Details: Ehasaas: An evening of soulful music, a concert featuring Gautan Dabir will take place at the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation, 80 Brydon Dr. Etobicoke, ON M9W 4N6 at 7:15 p.m.
Contact: Here 

Saturday, Sept. 16

Event: Arohi Music Festival
Details: The 5th annual Arohi Music Festival will take place at Chinmaya Mission Hall, 8832 The Gore Rd. Brampton from 4 p.m. onward. The classical Carnatic music concert will feature: Chintan Upadhya (Dhrupad), Sriram Suryanarayan (mridagam). RVS Ganeshamoorthy (nadaswaram), A. Manoharan (thavil) and mor
Contact: Here

Sunday, Sept. 17

Event: Suhaag Wedding Show
Details: Planning a wedding? Then the annual Suhaag show is a must see. A day-long packed agenda at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., (Hall 3) Mississauga, will include fashion shows, lifestyle extravaganza, fashion designers and more.
Contact: Here