Our Bureau
Bridgewater Township, NJ
The lively town of Bridgewater came alive with celebration on Saturday, November 2, as thousands gathered at Bridgewater Commons for the inaugural Diwali @ The Commons. This landmark event, organized in partnership with Renascent Media, marked a historic first for the community, celebrating Diwali on an unprecedented scale. The festival symbolized the triumph of light over darkness and brought people together in a spirit of unity and joy. The event drew distinguished guests, including Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench and Councilman Michael Kirsch, who joined community leaders in lighting ceremonial Diyas to officially inaugurate the festivities.
The event featured a dynamic lineup of performances and activities that captivated attendees:
Prayer Dance by Nadia Neubert, who performed a traditional Odissi invocation, Mangalacharan, blending grace and spirituality.
Navrang Dance Academy’s Theatrical Performance, brings to life the epic tale of Lord Rama’s journey, culminating in the triumph of good over evil.
Bollywood Dance Showcase by Satrangi School of Fusion, an electrifying mix of traditional and contemporary styles that delighted audiences of all ages.
In addition to the performances, families participated in engaging hands-on activities, including henna art, Diya painting, and sampling a variety of Indian sweets. The festive spirit continued with exciting shopping prize giveaways, where winners took home gift cards from esteemed sponsors such as Lotus Art Boutique, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Fogo de Chão, Gloria Jean’s Coffee, and Pottery Barn.
The celebration concluded on a poignant note with a unifying Arti ceremony. Attendees illuminated the space with electric candle lights, symbolizing hope, togetherness, and the victory of light over darkness.
The event was covered extensively by South Asian TV networks, ensuring the celebration reached audiences far beyond Bridgewater. Additionally, South Asian influencers played a key role, in sharing vibrant reels and posts on social media, amplifying the event’s reach and impact.
Diwali @ The Commons was a monumental success, setting a new standard for cultural celebrations in Bridgewater. The partnership with Renascent Media was instrumental in making this event not just a celebration, but a vibrant display of community, cultural exchange, and shared joy.
“As the heart of a diverse population in Central New Jersey, our center has a rare privilege in our industry to honor our substantial South Asian community. We were thrilled to be the host of this extraordinary cultural celebration with Renascent Media and look forward to building this partnership with Renascent and the community for years to come,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director at Bridgewater Commons.
Tanvi Prenita Chandra, President of Renascent Media, expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “This celebration is a true testament to the power of partnership and community spirit. It beautifully highlighted the richness of Indian heritage and its increasing significance in mainstream America. Together, we’ve created something truly extraordinary.”
Bridgewater Commons is located along the I-287 corridor at the intersection of Routes 22 and 202/206 in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Bridgewater Commons is a more than 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center serving the Northern N.J. region. The cornerstone of its community’s commercial sector since 1988 and boasting an array of over 150 leading retailers, premiere restaurants and convenient service brands, Bridgewater Commons is home to anchor department stores Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s iconic retailers including Apple, J. Crew, Lucky Brand Jeans, lululemon athletica, Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma; along with a collection of restaurants, eateries and entertainment venues such as Seasons 52, The Cheesecake Factory, Redstone American Grill and AMC Dine-In Theatres, among many more. Further enhancing the property is The Village at Bridgewater Commons, a unique, open-air shopping district with over 10 retailers and food and beverage locations including White House Black Market, LOFT, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Shake Shack and Starbucks for visitors to explore and enjoy. Bridgewater Commons is an IREM® Certified Sustainable Property. For more information including a full store directory, operating hours, driving directions and more, please visit its website.
Renascent Media
Since 2007, Renascent Media has been bridging the gap between global brands and the South Asian community through its integrated marketing solutions. With a profound understanding of South Asian culture, the agency provides clients with strategic insights, market research, and impactful advertising content across both traditional and digital platforms. Our services include media planning, buying, event management, influencer marketing and content production. The company has proudly produced all seasons of “Shoprite Cooking Star” and serves clients like Wakefern Food Corp, National Retail Solutions, Raj Jewels and more.
For more information on Renascent Media, visit its website.