By Khalida Sarwari
The South Bay Indian community will come together to celebrate Hindu New Year this month Saratoga-style with food and music galore.
Held annually by the Saratoga Hindu Temple and Community Center, this year’s event takes place on March 26 and features an evening filled with entertainment, a talent competition, awards ceremony, dancing and dinner from The Mynt restaurant.
The holiday is India’s second New Year event. The first is Diwali, a holiday that marks the beginning of the new year for the business community in India.
The holiday is similar to the Persian and Lunar New Year celebrations, said Rishi Kumar, a city councilman and SHTCC’s founding director. Similar to those holidays, the idea behind Hindu New Year is to celebrate the arrival of spring. The only difference is that Hindu New Year ties together all the different springtime celebrations that occur in India this time of year.
“We call it the convergence of celebrations,” said Kumar. “Every state in India has their own celebration; in Saratoga we have people from all parts of India.” This event, he said, “seeks to bring our community together and just have a fabulous time celebrating spring.”
The entertainment component will be a talent competition featuring 12 performers, most of them 5 to 20 years old. Kumar and his wife are also planning to do a Bollywood song-and-dance routine.
Finally, organizers will take time to recognize volunteers who have helped with various events and classes held by SHTCC over the years.
“They do a lot for our community, so it’s our opportunity to appreciate them,” Kumar said.
Last year’s event was attended by about 200 people. Organizers are capping attendance at about the same number this year, Kumar said.
The event is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Joan Pisani Community Center. Tickets are $22 for general admission and $80 for a family of four and can be purchased online atsiliconvalleybollywood.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $25 per person if they are still available.
Link: Indian residents will come together for celebration of Hindu New Year
