King Lakes shines bright with Diwali Celebration by Indo-Americans of Katy

By Ganesh Nanaware Special to the Katy Times
Posted 11/9/24

On Saturday, October 26, the King Lakes community held a vibrant Diwali celebration, hosted by the Indo-Americans of Katy at Tompkins High School, 4400 Falcon Landing in Katy.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

King Lakes shines bright with Diwali Celebration by Indo-Americans of Katy

Posted

On Saturday, October 26, the King Lakes community held a vibrant Diwali celebration, hosted by the Indo-Americans of Katy at Tompkins High School, 4400 Falcon Landing in Katy. With over 280 Indian family members in attendance, the event was a radiant showcase of cultural pride, unity, and festive spirit.

The evening began with a social hour featuring mouthwatering appetizers and the classic Diwali delicacy, laddu. A beautiful Ganesh Vandana set the tone with a devotional start, honoring the remover of obstacles and welcoming blessings for the night ahead. From there, a dynamic talent show celebrated the creativity and heritage of the Indian community.

Highlights included a spirited skit performance by young children, capturing the epic journey of the Ramayana with beautiful stage setups. Meticulously choreographed Bollywood dance performances and soulful singing filled the room with energy and nostalgia. A special musical medley celebrated India’s rich culture and diversity, featuring over 26 performers. The grand finale was a mesmerizing moment as both the United States and Indian national anthems were played, accompanied by flag-waving, leaving the audience deeply inspired.

Attendees also enjoyed a delicious spread of traditional foods, ending with the flavor-packed Banarasi Paan. As the formal program concluded, participants took to the dance floor, joining together for high-energy Bollywood music.

In addition to the entertainment, the celebration was a platform for young people to actively engage in preserving and sharing their culture. King Lakes kids took on various volunteer roles, from welcoming guests and decorating the stage to managing the food distribution, emceeing, and supporting in every aspect of the event. “The spirit of service and connection highlighted the unity and diversity that are cherished by Indian families within King Lakes,” said a spokesperson.

This event was organized by dedicated volunteers of the Indo-Americans of Katy organization: Sandesh and Snehal Ghumare, Soma and Arjndam Chatterjee, Anjana Dabral, Alok Dubey and Shaily Pathak, Aditi and Hans Gupta, Manisha and Mahesh Halapeti, Harshil, Hemant Jadhav, Vasudha and Mahesh Karnik, Ganesh Nanaware, Ajit Pansare, Amudha, Mona and Parimal Patel, Saraswati and Bhupendra Patidar, Nutan and Parag Ramteke, Naina and Mehul Rawal, Vibhu Sharma, Srinivas, Sudha Tiwary, Vani Srikant, and Shrikantha.

This article was compiled by Ganesh Nanaware on behalf of the Indo-Americans of Katy organization.

King Lakes community, Diwali celebration, Indo-Americans of Katy at Tompkins High School, 4400 Falcon Landing in Katy, Sandesh and Snehal Ghumare, Soma and Arjndam Chatterjee, Anjana Dabral, Alok Dubey and Shaily Pathak, Aditi and Hans Gupta, Manisha and Mahesh Halapeti, Harshil, Hemant Jadhav, Vasudha and Mahesh Karnik, Ganesh Nanaware, Ajit Pansare, Amudha, Mona and Parimal Patel, Saraswati and Bhupendra Patidar, Nutan and Parag Ramteke, Naina and Mehul Rawal, Vibhu Sharma, Srinivas, Sudha Tiwary, Vani Srikant, and Shrikantha