Diwali RazzMatazz 2016 organized by Indo-Canada Arts Council and presented by Zee TV Canada in its second year marked the celebrations of Diwali in Canada and drew more than 50,000 people over three days of extravaganza. The only free festival where more than 450 artists and performers rocked the stage with varied and versatile programming for all ages and communities.
Various dignitaries inaugurated the festival in attendance including Honorable Bonnie Crombie – Mayor of Mississauga, Honorable Dipika Damerla Minister of Senior Affairs –Ontario, Members of Ontario Provincial Parliament – Mr. Bob Delaney, Ms. Amrit Mangat and Ms. Harinder Malhi and Mississauga City Councillors Mr. Ron Starr and Mr. John Kovac.
Deputy leader of Ontario NDP Mr. Jagmeet Singh also attended the festival on the second day. Dr. Azad Kaushik – Chair of Indo-Canada Arts Council, Mr. Sudhir Anand festival Co-Chair and Mr. Ajaay Modi – Festival founder and convener with Mrs. Ratika Modi artistic director of the festival are jubilant with the huge success for establishing the celebrations of Diwali in Canada, a major Hindu festival.
This year the festival witnessed some new and unique programming. The major highlight was a live performance of 64 member musical symphony conducted by Raman Kant included Indo- Canadian and Canadian musicians playing the unplugged musical saga “Evolution of Indian music in Bollywood cinema”. Jugpreet Bajwa of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” fame top 5 finalists kept the audience spellbound with his versatile singing. The community participation was witnessed in an ensemble called Diwali celebrations in different states and regions of India. Shiamak- Toronto with its energetic dancers set the stage on fire making thousands dance and swing with them. Dandiya rocked as the closing act of the festival in a perfect weather and mood.