Article by ~ Rajesh Khare

Holi 2026, organized by the India Society of Worcester (ISW) Symphony, brought the community together for a high-energy celebration. Despite the cold weather, the turnout was strong, with many families and volunteers staying through the entire program. This event also marked a milestone of 40 public performances by the Symphony team in under five years, showing the continued growth of the group.

The event brought together Dhol-Tasha-Lezim, dance performances, and color play in a well-paced program. From the start, there was excitement in the crowd, with many eagerly waiting for the color segment while enjoying the performances.

General Secretary Kamlesh Khilnani introduced ISW to the audience, sharing the organization’s work and community initiatives.

Jessy Haggard from Faneuil Hall Marketplace also addressed the audience and thanked ISW and attendees: “The drums, the dances, and the colors are an amazing representation of Holi. I had a great time watching all of you and hope to see you again next year.”

The event ran smoothly thanks to coordinated volunteer efforts, and the hot refreshments helped everyone stay comfortable in the cold.

Dhol-Tasha-Lezim (DTL)

The Dhol-Tasha-Lezim performance set the tone with strong and catchy beats. The group included both experienced members and several first-time performers, bringing a good mix of confidence and fresh energy.

Choreographed Dance Segments

The program included a range of dance performances across age groups:

• Color Splash Kids brought cheerful energy and got the audience smiling from the start
• Kathak Holi Dance combined classical movements with expressive storytelling
• Dazzling Divas delivered a confident and expressive group performance
• Medley by Sohum and Ishaan added a fun youth segment to the lineup
• Lavani brought traditional rhythm and strong expressions to the stage
• Tanvi and Ria Dance added a playful spring theme to the program

Community Impact

A total of 54 volunteers and performers contributed to making this event happen.

The crowd stayed engaged throughout, enjoying both the performances and the color play. It was great to see many new performers join in and be part of the program alongside experienced members.

The event reflected strong teamwork across volunteers, performers, and organizers, coming together to create a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Credits

Dhol
Aditya Ambade, Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Jui Ashinkar, Komal Kadam, Narayan Sharma, Prasanna Pawar, Raghvendra Cowlagi, Sakshi Gurao, Shilpa Parab, Sonia Gera, Sumeet Nayak, Swapnil Sundarkar, Varsha Padwalkar

Tasha
Anand Desai, Arvind Kinhikar, Manoj Gera, Sanket Gurao

Lezim
Deepali Kadu, Pallavi Chavan, Samyukta Warty, Seema Jadhav, Shilpa Kulkarni, Shweta Choudhari, Vidya Kulkarni

Zhanj
Ashok Kale, Poonam Parab, Rajesh Khare, Sharat Amin

Music
Ahan Rajhans, Archis Cowlagi

Tol / Dhumal / Ghoshana
Shirish Joshi, Akshay Rajhans, Maurya Pawar

Dance Performers
Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Avni Goal, Gargi Kulkarni, Ginni Goal, Ishaan Pattarkine, Madhura Kulkarni, Maurya Pawar, Radhika Chintapalli, Renuka Goyal, Ria Deshpande, Shivaanee Kothavle, Sohum Pattarkine, Sukanya Mishra, Tanvi Manjrekar, Tejashri Mate, Vedant Mungarwadi, Vivaan Mungarwadi

Photo & Video
Chetan Mungarwadi, Kapil Pawar

Coordination Support
Arvind Kinhikar, Ashok Kale, Prasanna Pawar, Preeti Khilnani, Rajesh Khare, Sakshi Gurao, Sanket Gurao, Sarita Deshpande, Vishakha Khamankar

Closing Note

The Holi Festival of Colors 2026 once again brought the community together through music, dance, and shared celebration. With strong participation and continued volunteer support, the event continues to grow each year.

- By Komal Tanna (Cultural Committee Co-Chair}

The ISW Eid celebration was a vibrant and joyous gathering that brought the community together to celebrate culture, tradition, and togetherness. The last weekend of March saw India Center bustling with activity. 

Our President Jagan Shrinivasan welcomed the community with warmth, along with event MC’s Komal Tanna, Umraz Syed and Shehla Eledroos.

This collaboration featured a lively cultural show filled with traditional songs and music from Mustafa Taj, Homaira Naseem, Noura Khan and ISW’s own Humrahee family. There were  Kathak dance performances that captivated the audience and set a festive tone for the evening.Ever beautiful Kirti Nagpal and young and graceful Kaayna Jain both mesmerized us with their performances. 

We also had open mic where new singing talent was discovered!  

Guests enjoyed the rhythmic beats of the  “Dholki” a pre wedding event, adding an authentic touch to the celebration, while the free mehendi station was a popular attraction, with attendees adorning their hands in beautiful, intricate designs made by Yashfa. 

A variety of vendors showcased stunning jewelry and traditional clothing, giving everyone a chance to explore and shop festive styles.

The event also offered a unique opportunity to try on elegant and traditional outfits which included Abhayas, Sharara, Khada duppatta, Shervqji,  Nawabi topi etc,making it a fun and immersive cultural experience for all ages. The photo booth and the entire India center was beautifully decorated by Yaar Events,which was a hit capturing smiles and special moments throughout the evening.

Of course, no celebration is complete without food, and attendees were treated to a delicious spread that delighted every palate. Food was sponsored by local restaurants and also prepared by volunteers.

With music, dancing, and laughter filling the space, the event truly embodied the spirit of Eid.

Organized and run entirely by dedicated volunteers, we thank the community volunteer’s, Asiya, Tabassum, Shehla,Umraz,Yasmin, Sabreena, Also ISW volunteers Shilpa, Saket, Arush, Rashi, Tejal, Smita, Neha U, Priti, Abhijeet and many more! 

The ISW Eid event was a wonderful success—creating lasting memories and strengthening the sense of community among all who attended.

Photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qU4RoMNGpGLLzzNB8

Article by - Veena Dindore

Shrewsbury Public Library hosted an Indian Classical Music and Dance extravaganza on Saturday March 21st.

The ISW Symphony Vocal Ensemble group delivered a memorable semi-classical performance, taking on the exciting challenge of presenting thoughtfully crafted renditions composed and led by their mentor, Sarita Deshpande. The morning opened with the serene depth of raga Bhatiyaar, where Sarita set the tone with an evocative and meditative exploration of the raga. Her expressive approach created a graceful beginning that drew the audience into the classical mood.

The ensemble then presented a soulful, popular prarthana - Hamko Mann ki Shakti in Raag Kedar. This piece beautifully blended devotion with musical intricacy, featuring aalaps and taans woven seamlessly into the composition. The vocalists delivered it with unity and sensitivity, making it one of the most heartfelt moments of that morning.

Following this, the group transitioned into an engaging Raag Yaman–based Bollywood mashup. The performance featured elegant sargams that added classical richness to familiar melodies, creating a delightful blend of tradition and contemporary charm.

To conclude the presentation, the ensemble returned to the classical space with Raag Bhimpalasi. Sarita presented a traditional bandish, adorned with melodious aalaps and taans that highlighted the raga’s gentle, introspective beauty. This was followed by a selection of Bhimpalasi‑based Bollywood songs, sung gracefully by the vocalists, offering a seamless bridge between classical purity and popular appeal.

Throughout the entire performance, the ensemble was supported by the wonderful accompaniment of Yash on Tabla, Peter on Guitar and Sarita on Harmonium. Their sensitive and skillful playing added depth, rhythm, and texture to every piece, elevating the musical experience for both performers and audience.

The morning stood as a celebration of dedication, creativity, and the joy of learning—brought to life through the collective spirit of the ensemble.

Vocal Ensemble Group:

Anju Shukla, Aruna Tikkare, Sarita Deshpande, Sachin Shah, Shipra Gupta, Suhana Shah, Veena Dindore, Yatin Manjrekar

Tabla: Yash Naik

Guitar: Peter

Harmonium: Sarita Deshpande

Pictures and Videos - Pictures / Videos

- Prof. Jagan Srinivasan

President, India Society of Worcester

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who showed up in such large numbers to make the Deputy Consul General's visit to the India Center a resounding success!

A huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers for helping organize the event. Your time, energy, and teamwork made everything run smoothly and created such a warm, welcoming vibe for our guests.

A very special shout-out to Raj Melville for initiating contact with the Consulate General to make this incredible visit possible, and to Dr. Kirti Nagpal, Sharad Amin, Narayan Sharma, and Mukul Agarwal for stepping up and making such a massive impact on the ground.

I also want to highlight how wonderful it was to see so many of our previous leaders and past presidents in attendance. Having you there really amplified the impact of our community's presence and showed the DCG the strong, enduring foundation we've built together over the years.

Also worth celebrating: the DCG team was genuinely impressed by our center and the incredible range of activities we offer to serve the community! They saw the very best of us, and that’s entirely because you helped bring it all to life.

Building on the momentum of this fantastic visit, we will be officially inviting both the Consul General and the Deputy Consul General to join us for India Day at the DCU Center!

Grateful for each and every one of you. Have a great rest of your Sunday!

- By Chaitanya

ISW’s Annual Harvest Festival was a tremendous success—bringing together performers, families, volunteers, and community partners in a vibrant celebration of culture and community spirit! ✨

The festivities began on a soulful note with a beautiful Ganesh Stuti by Uma Sankar Ji, setting an uplifting and devotional tone for the day. Our sincere thanks to our esteemed judges—Singing: Uma Sankar & Sankar Gangaikondan Ji; Dance: Shilpa Sanghavi, Grishma Shah Gandhi, and Smt. Kalaimangai Anbalagan—whose expertise elevated the competition.

Singing Winners: Meenakshi Vaze, Sourabha Mandhana, Sachin, and Suhana Shah

Dance Winners (8–12): Ekta Dance Academy, Arya Dance Academy, Padmini Dance Academy

Dance Winners (13–17): Angikam Dance Academy, Ashwin Kumar Pitchai, Ekta Dance Academy

The festive spirit continued with delicious offerings from Kinnera and an amazing lineup of vendors—Pindora Threads, Eternal Health, AT&T, India Heritage Foundation, AV Innovative Decors & Return Gifts, and Frank Perrin of Combat Arts—adding color and energy to the celebration.

A special shoutout to 11-year-old Saanvi Khare, who raised funds for ISW through her Henna stall—an inspiring example of initiative and community spirit!

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, talented choreographers, enthusiastic participants, and supportive audience for making this year’s Harvest Festival truly unforgettable! ✨

Picture credits: Anand Jain.

Boston, MA — January 26, 2026:

- By Anand Jain

In a powerful celebration of culture, community, and artistic excellence, the India Society of Worcester (ISW) and Ekta Dance Academy (EDA) delivered a vibrant performance at the Boston Celtics Pregame Show on Monday evening. Thirty dancers took center stage at the iconic TD Garden ahead of the Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers game, representing the Indian American community with pride and energy.

This marks the fourth time that ISW and EDA have come together to showcase Indian music and dance at a Boston Celtics event—an ongoing collaboration that continues to bring South Asian culture to one of the region’s largest sporting stages.

Despite a severe snowstorm that brought much of the city to a standstill, every performer braved the weather and arrived on time, demonstrating remarkable dedication and enthusiasm. Their lively presentation lit up the arena, earning applause from fans and organizers alike.

ISW Executive Board members Geetanjali Virmani and Anand Jain joined the performers on the court, proudly raising the ISW banner at center court—a moment that symbolized community unity and cultural pride.

Ekta Jain, Founder and Director of Ekta Dance Academy, expressed her gratitude to ISW for its unwavering support throughout the years. She extended special thanks to:

• Ragini Seth, ISW stalwart, for her consistent check-ins, support, and guidance
• Jagan Srinivasan, President of ISW, for his regular calls and encouragement
• Chella Palaniappan, for ensuring India Center availability during practice sessions

“Our performers gave it their all, and the community support behind the scenes made this event truly special,” Ekta Jain noted.

As ISW and Ekta Dance Academy continue to build on this tradition, excitement is already growing for their return in the next season.

Stay tuned—bigger stages and brighter moments await.

- By  Kirti Nagpal

Synopsis for the Cybersecurity Talk by Vikram Venkatasubramanian
 (IIT Madras, MBA Cornell)
 CEO and Founder, Nandi Security

We had the pleasure of hosting Vikram Venkatasubramanian for an informative and insightful session on digital hygiene.

Vikram helped us identify the many threats that lurk around us as we browse online from the comfort of our homes. Most of us are often unaware of the dangers and security breaches we expose ourselves to the moment we click on a malicious link or share personal information. Some of these security or data breaches may even fall under what is considered legally accepted data collection, making them harder to recognize.

He emphasized that simple steps—such as practicing good password hygiene and using password managers—are easy yet highly effective measures. Avoiding the sharing or posting of excessive personal and family details on social media was also highlighted as a prudent and necessary precaution.

 In the past, we protected our homes with strong locks and sometimes even a guard at the front gate. Today, however, the threats are largely digital. Thieves and criminals can now carry out major heists while sitting miles away in a different country. To combat these evolving threats, we need specialists and experts like Vikram, who understand the landscape and can guide us through it.

 Vikram is willing to go into greater detail on practical steps we can implement to make ourselves less susceptible targets in the digital world .

 - By Rajesh Khare

The 5th Annual Dhol-Tasha-Lezim (DTL) Training Workshop by the India Society of Worcester (ISW) was a high-energy gathering that brought together enthusiasts of traditional folk rhythms for a day of learning, practice, and community bonding.

Participants across age groups joined with great enthusiasm to build their skills, discipline, and teamwork in Dhol, Tasha, and Lezim. The workshop focused not only on technique and synchronization, but also on preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage behind these traditional art forms.

A special thanks to our outstanding volunteer trainers who generously shared their time and expertise:

* Shilpa Kulkarni: the OG of Lezim, who guided participants through precision, footwork, and formations

* Arvind Kinhikar: Master of Tasha, who emphasized rhythm control and ensemble coordination

* Raghavendra Cowlagi: our rising Dhol star, who energized the group with powerful beats and structured practice drills

We extend sincere appreciation to Sakshi Gurao (lead), Sarita Deshpande, Sanket Gurao and Rajesh Khare for coordinating and ensuring the workshop ran smoothly from planning to execution.

With growing participation each year, the DTL workshop continues to strengthen community connections while nurturing the next generation of performers. We look forward to seeing these rhythms come alive at upcoming ISW events and performances.

---submitted by Jay Pathak

On January 31st, ISW Chess club organized the very first face to face game night of 2026. Despite of bitter cold, many chess enthusiasts came out to play. The event started at 4 pm and ended at 6 pm. Light refreshment was made available by Telugu group. If you were in the attendance, we thank you for the support. If not, plan to join us in future game nights. Our next game night is scheduled for February 28th, which is the last Saturday of the month.

--Radhika Chintapalli & Jay Pathak

♟️ Join the ISW Chess Club! ♟️

We believe that the Chess has been originated in India during the Gupta Empire around the 6th century CE. It began as a Kingdom's strategic game called Chaturanga.

Looking for a fun and engaging way to spend your Saturday afternoons? The ISW Chess Club welcomes players of all ages and skill levels! Whether you're a seasoned grandmaster or just learning the ropes, this is the perfect casual, relaxed environment to enjoy a game of chess, make social connections, sharpen your thinking power.

Eventually we might plan some friendly tournaments and prizes too.

When:
We meet on the last Saturday of every month. It is a free, casual, open atmosphere where you would feel relaxed and play with a friend or make new friends.
All Ages & Levels: Everyone is welcome, from kids to adults, beginners to advanced players.
More Info & Registration

Stay Connected on Whatsapp,
For the latest updates and any potential changes.

Here are some benefits of chess :

Cognitive Benefits:
Improved focus and concentration for extended periods.
Enhanced problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.
Better strategic thinking and foresight (planning several moves ahead).
Memory improvement through pattern recognition and recalling strategies.
 Increased creativity and originality in developing solutions on the board.
Develops critical thinking and objective evaluation of situations.
Boosts IQ and potential academic performance.
Personal and Social Benefits:
Teaches sportsmanship and humility in winning and losing.
Improves patience and the ability to persevere through challenges.
Offers a healthy social pastime for meeting people and building our community.
Reduces stress and promotes mental well-being through engaging the mind.
We look forward to seeing you at the board!   Let the games begin♟️