Our Bureau
Jersey City, NJ
The historic Barrow Mansion glowed with festivity and elegance as Surati for Performing Arts hosted its first-ever Diwali Gala on Friday, November 7, 2025. While Surati has organized several Diwali celebrations in the past, this marked its inaugural formal Gala, uniting culture, artistry, and community in an evening that truly embodied the spirit of Diwali — the Festival of Lights. The evening brought together diverse artists, dignitaries, community members, and supporters for a celebration of Indian culture, music, dance, and tradition.
The evening began with a VIP cocktail reception with live jazz pianist Brook Mulugeta, vendor showcases, and a silent auction featuring community-donated items and cultural experiences. Guests were welcomed with live music, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks before the formal program, which celebrated 23 years of Surati’s artistic excellence and community engagement through a highlight video presentation.
Artistic Highlights
The Gala’s performances were curated by Surati Founder and Executive Artistic Director Rimli Roy and showcased a vibrant range of Indian classical, folk, and contemporary art forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Rajasthani Ghoomar, Bollywood, belly dance, and modern fusion pieces.
Surati’s performance segment, presented under the artistic direction of Rimli Roy, featured Surati’s dancers — Hitanshi Patel, Harsha Harikumar, Vidhya Dinesh, Alisha Desai, Avishi Jain, and Kijana Lewis — who captivated the audience with their versatility and expressive choreography through Indian classical – Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi, Rajasthani folk, Bellydance, Bollywood fusion, and contemporary dance forms
The evening also featured a tabla and cajón fusion by Abhinav Acharya and Kaleb Hassell, followed by a captivating Indian Raaga Jazz fusion by guest artist Sumit Roy from Kolkata, who played an Indian raga on the piano accompanied by Abhinav on the tablas in a mesmerizing collaboration.
The second act included excerpts from Ramaavan – A Musical, Surati’s NEA award-winning original production, envisioned, re-imagined, and created by Rimli Roy, which also toured India in 2024 by a special invitation by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR – Govt of India), inspired by the Ramayana, performed by Jonathan Power, Andrew Leonforte, Paulina Yeung, Madison Halla, Harsha Harikumar, Hitanshi Patel, Kijana Lewis, and Vidhya Dinesh, earning a standing ovation. Ramaavan is an original production with music composed by Sumit Roy and Rajesh Roy, and lyrics and verses written by Arati Roy.
The finale featured a live music performance by Jayanta Banerjee. Guest artist from India, Sumit Roy, a celebrated singer, composer, and mentor from Kolkata, concluded the program with a vibrant medley of Calypso, retro, and Indian folk songs, bringing the audience to their feet before the night wrapped up with a lively DJ set that united guests, artists, and dignitaries on the dance floor.
Guests and Acknowledgments
Among the distinguished attendees were Mr. Piyush Singh, Consul (Political, Press, Information & Culture), Consulate General of India in New York; Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey; Brian Murray from Hudson County Cultural Affairs; Hudson County Commissioner Yraida Lipski, and Former Governor Jim McGreevey.
Surati’s Diwali Gala sponsors were Albrich Academy of Excellence (AAE), represented by owner Dorota Mani, serving as the event’s principal silent auction contributor and community sponsor, Hudson County Cultural & Heritage Affairs / Tourism Development, and LeFrak & Newport Associates Development Company.
“Surati and Rimli Roy have been doing excellent work for the last two decades, bringing cultures together and bridging gaps between people so that communities can better understand, collaborate, and grow,” said Mr. Piyush Singh. “Rimli is putting so much together with her team, and their dedication truly reflects the spirit of Diwali.”
“The Diwali Gala 2025 was more than just an evening of unique performances and partnerships — it was a celebration of light in our communities through culture, food, interactive experiences, showcasing multicultural genres and diverse artists in Jersey City, rooted in the artistry and rich heritage of India,” said Rimli Roy, Founder and Artistic Director. “Having my father, the legendary composer and performing artist from India, Sumit Roy, perform alongside our company artists in the presence of my mother, Arati Roy, also a very gifted writer and lyricist, was deeply personal and a reminder of Surati’s roots and mission — connecting generations, cultures, and hearts through art.”
The Gala drew a diverse audience from across New Jersey and New York, raising awareness and support for Surati’s arts-in-education and community outreach initiatives.
About Surati for Performing Arts
Surati for Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in Jersey City, dedicated to promoting Indian art and culture through performances, arts-in-education, and community engagement. Founded by Rimli Roy, Surati’s acclaimed productions and festivals— including Holi Hai and Ramaavan – A Musical — have been showcased at the United Nations, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and featured in CNN, NBC, and Vogue. Surati’s year-round programming is made possible by Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, Dance NYC, and New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund.
