The Indian Panorama

Tag: Leela

  • Housefull Hearts & High Voltage Vibes: The Night Chicago Welcomed 2026 in Grand Desi Style

    Housefull Hearts & High Voltage Vibes: The Night Chicago Welcomed 2026 in Grand Desi Style

    • Balloon Drops, Belly Rolls & Bollywood Beats: The Housefull Revolution of New Year’s Eve 2025
    • Chicago’s Desi Dynasty Rings in 2026: One Night, One Venue, One Million Memories

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Chicago’s South Asian Community Rings in 2026 with Electrifying Housefull New Year’s Eve Celebration at Ashton Place. As the final hours of 2025 counted down on December 31, the grand ballroom at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois, transformed into a vibrant hub of joy, music, and community spirit. This sold-out “Housefull” New Year’s Eve event welcomed families, friends, and revelers from Chicago’s South Asian diaspora for an unforgettable night of celebration, marking a heartfelt goodbye to 2025 and a warm hello to 2026.

    From the moment guests arrived at 8:00 pm, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Dazzling lights illuminated the venue, smiles lit up every face, and beautiful costumes added to the festive energy. The open bar flowed generously, while the unlimited lavish buffet offered a delicious array of dishes that kept everyone satisfied and energized throughout the evening. The entertainment kicked off with high-energy flair. Anusha Reddy was host who did welcome speech.

    Time for a dance

    Professional singer and co-organizer Shraddha Marathe, also known as a composer, songwriter, and CEO of DE Dream Event LLC, welcomed the crowd with infectious enthusiasm. She highlighted the night’s highlights: unlimited food and drinks, non-stop fun, and a powerhouse lineup featuring DJ Salman, who kept the beats pumping with a perfect mix of Bollywood classics, energetic hits, and timeless favorites that had every generation on their feet.

    The Star Performer

    Live singing performances brought soul and nostalgia to the celebration. The talented singers Pratibha Jairath, Raju Bankapur, and Dr. Pardeep Sood delivered a medley of popular numbers that filled the room with emotion. The audience sang along, danced freely, and created magical moments as the performers transitioned seamlessly from one beloved song to another, including crowd-pleasers that evoked laughter, romance, and pure joy.

    Adding captivating visual spectacles was mesmerizing live acts. Ashorina, a renowned Chicago-based belly dancer from the acclaimed Safire Belly Dancers troupe, delivered powerful, graceful, and technically brilliant oriental performances that left the audience spellbound with her elegant movements and cultural authenticity. Her routine blended tradition with dynamic energy, earning cheers and admiration.

    Following this, Patti Zikmund brought athletic artistry to the stage with a breathtaking pole dance showcase. Combining strength, precision, and expressive flair, her performance added an exciting new dimension to the evening, drawing enthusiastic applause from the thrilled crowd.

    Entertainers all

    For the younger attendees, thoughtful activities ensured everyone could join the fun—face painting, balloon twisting, and a 360-photo booth right outside captured memorable moments with loved ones.

    As midnight approached, the energy reached its peak. The crowd gathered for a spectacular balloon drop that showered the room in colorful confetti, accompanied by a celebratory champagne toast to health, happiness, success, and wonderful memories in the year ahead. Hugs, cheers, and renewed dancing carried the party into the early hours of January 1, 2026.

    Throughout the night, the emcee—warm, humorous, and engaging—kept the momentum alive. She introduced the visionary promoters and partners: Altaf Bukhari (the positive captain of the ship), Nikhil Gupta (the entertainer), Anusha Reddy (the beautiful entrepreneur), Pranav Mathur, Brij Kukreja (personality), Shraddha Marathe, and others. The event also honored key sponsors and community leaders with heartfelt recognition and floral bouquets on stage, including Anil Loomba (successful businessman and philanthropist), Sunil Shah (New York Life founder and FIA chairman), Dr. Bhupinder and Anita Beri (veterinarian and CEO of Animal Care Cross Road Hospital), Manish and Shailja Gandhi, Sudhir Sukheja, and supporters like Mukesh Shah CPA and Prashant Mohanty.

    The success stemmed from dedicated teamwork and community generosity. Promoters Altaf Bukhari, Nikhil Gupta, Anusha Reddy, Shraddha Marathe, and Pranav Mathur, along with supporters Pratibha Jairath, Brij Kukreja, and Abhi Trivedi, created this seamless experience. Heartfelt thanks extended to friends including Dinesh K., Leela, Vimi, Meenu S., Rekha B., Deepa G., young Meenu V., Ashwini Ji, Kiran, Preeti, Shashi ji, the Srivastav group, Parveen Ji, and many more who made it possible.

    Recognizing Supporters

    Altaf Bukhari is president of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA)-Chicago IL, Prominent community leader, politician, businessman and promoter in show business. Anusha Reddy who is organizer , host of the evening, owner of AA (Anusha & Ahana) Entertainment who is also an entrepreneur (owns taco maya Arlington heights).

    What truly defined the night was its genuine family atmosphere. Multiple generations danced side by side, shared laughs, reflected on 2025’s best moments (in one word), and built new connections. Guests praised the smooth flow, exceptional food, top-notch entertainment, and welcoming vibe that made it feel like a big family gathering.

    New Year welcome with Champaigne.

    In a world craving meaningful togetherness, this Housefull celebration at Ashton Place stood as a powerful reminder of cultural pride, gratitude, and collective joy. It wasn’t just a party, it was a vibrant testament to unity, hope, new aspirations, and the strength of community.

    As attendees departed into the fresh dawn of 2026, they carried memories of laughter, music, dance, and renewed optimism for the year ahead.

    “This Housefull New Year’s Eve at Ashton Place beautifully captured the essence of community celebration—where laughter, music, heartfelt performances, and shared gratitude turn a simple gathering into something truly magical. The energy, from live singing and captivating dances to the midnight toast, showcased the warmth and unity of our South Asian diaspora. As we embrace 2026, let these moments inspire us to keep building connections, supporting one another, and celebrating life with the same joy and positivity” Suresh Bodiwala Chairman and Founder, Asian Media USA.
    (Photographs and Press release / Asian Media USA)

  • My thoughts on Mother’s Day 2021

    My thoughts on Mother’s Day 2021

    Dr. VK Raju

     My mother used to say” For doing a good thing, you don’t need a good time (auspicious). Just do it.

    Photo caption:   Seated Left to right: Syamala, Lacchi, Leela

                               Standing Left to Right: Dr. VK Raju, Rani, Dr. B R K Rao  

     

    Vedas (the oldest manuscripts of Hinduism) say “Matru Devo Bhava”. Revere your mother as God. In the Western literature it is said “God created mother because he (she) could not be everywhere”.

    Every year I plant 100 trees in US national forest/ park on her death anniversary and host a small religious get together of leaders of multiple religions (Hindu, Muslim, Buddhism, and others).

    My mother was very broad minded and very generous. In south India, people look for auspicious day to start a project etc.When they are caught up in waiting for this auspicious time and day, they may lose some opportunities and feel sorry later.

    My mother used to say” For doing a good thing, you don’t need a good time (auspicious). Just do it.

    She did not encourage us to go to temples and used to say that God is there in every one of us. She used to recite yoga vasista in the mornings, but she never insisted her children to do the same.

    She believed in “Children learn what they live rather than what they are preached”

    My dad died when I was five years old.

    Let us look at what the World religions say about women.

    Koran and women: When Koran speaks about the souls of human beings, it doesn’t differentiate between man and woman. Bible and woman: God is within her. She will not fail.

    Buddhism and woman: Buddhist savior goddess (Tara) with numerous forms, widely popular in Nepal, Tibet, and Mongolia. She is the feminine counterpart of Bodhisattva (Buddha to be).

    Jainism and woman: Jainism is a religion of religious equality, devoted to recognizing the rights of all living creatures, so not surprisingly it accepts that women are able to play their part on the road to liberation.

    Hinduism and woman: The Devi Sukta hymn of Rigveda, a scripture of Hinduism, declares the feminine energy as the essence of the universe, the one who creates all matter and consciousness the eternal and infinite, the metaphysical and empirical reality (Brahman), the soul (supreme self) of everything. The woman is celebrated as the most powerful and the empowering force in Hindu Upanishads. There are millions of Hindu deities. Most by far, are Goddesses.

    In spite of all wonderful views expressed in all these religions, there are also diverse and conflicting views on the position of women. Woman is the conserver of tradition, but she is also the absorber of the shocks of the future.

    Only mothers do not get sick leave, casual leave, public holiday, religious holiday, Bereavement leave, compensatory leave, sabbatical leave, and unpaid leave. (They never get any pay.)

    Call her today and express how grateful you are.