MARKHAM/The beat of the dhol met with the crisp winter air of Ontario at the Bollywood Ki Dhun headquarters in Markham this Tuesday, January 13th to celebrate Lohri, a celebration of the harvest.
The festivity transformed the season into a vibrant hub of warmth and heritage as the celebrations brought to life a vital piece of home right here in Canada for the Indian diaspora in the GTA.
A Gathering of Community Pillars
The evening wasn’t just about the festivities; it was a testament to the strength of our local community. Over 50 guests joined the celebration, including prominent leaders who continue to shape the South Asian experience in Ontario:
Yash Kapur, President of the Vedic Cultural Centre (Arya Samaj Markham)
Prashant Srivastava, President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce
Sam Chopra, President of South Asians in Ontario
Sudha Verma, District A-16 Lions Club Global Service Team Leader
Kumar Gyanchandani, Guru Bhat, and Shwetha Bhat, representing the Hindu
Active Volunteer Association Canada
Himanshu Bajaj, representing the Hindu Sabha, Brampton
Songs, Sweets, and the Sacred Fire
The air was filled with the soulful melodies of Bollywood Ki Dhun’s own singers, alongside guest performers Shwayta Sharma, Dr. V Radhakrishnan, Devender Kumar Arora, Raj Khanna, Prabha Khanna, Vijay Jain, Sudha Verma, and Rajan Sharma.
From classic Bollywood hits to traditional folk, the music bridged generations and borders.
The highlight of the night, true to tradition, was the outdoor Lohri bonfire. As the flames crackled, the energy reached a fever pitch with a high-octane Bhangra performance by Drishti Sharma, Karina Shakoor, and Kajal Shakoor, fueled by the rhythmic heartbeat of Gurinder Singh’s dhol.
Reflecting on the importance of the gathering, Yash Kapur noted the significance of keeping these traditions alive for the next generation.
“Seeing the community come together like this in Markham reminds us that our roots remain strong, no matter how far from home we are,” said Kapur. “Lohri is about renewal, and seeing so many
leaders and families gather to share this light is truly heartening.”
For founder Rajan Sharma, the event was a perfect reflection of the organization’s core values.
“Our mission is to foster talent and spread joy through music,” Sharma shared. “Lohri is the perfect time to celebrate the ‘harvest’ of talent we see in our community every day. We created this platform so that every aspiring artist has a place to call home, and tonight, that home was filled with incredible music and spirit.”
The Arya Samaja Group
South Asians in Ontario Group
The Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce Group
Lions Club
Hindi Active Volunteers Group
Members of the diaspora celebrating Lohri with the traditional bonfire
Members of the diaspora celebrating Lohri with the traditional bonfire
Inside, the décor transported guests straight to Punjab. The smell of fresh gajak, rewari, and mungphali filled the room, and every guest left with a festive box of sweets and beautiful roses – a \token of prosperity and goodwill for the year 2026.
About Bollywood Ki Dhun
Founded in 2021 by Mr. Rajan Sharma, CPA, Bollywood Ki Dhun is a Markham-based non-profit dedicated to giving a stage to the stars of tomorrow. Are you an aspiring singer, musician or dancer looking for your big break? Bollywood Ki Dhun is looking for new voices to join the family. Contact: Mr. Rajan Sharma at 647-221-7016 or at www.bollywoodkidhun.com
