The 4th annual New York Diwali Gala recently took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. The premiere celebration of Diwali on the East Coast, the Diwali Gala unites remarkable members of the South Asian community to commemorate a profound tradition that has evolved into a cultural hallmark in New York. Diwali, known as the "Festival of Lights," spans five days and is observed by over 1 billion people globally, each with their unique customs. The 2023 celebration was co-chaired by Preet Bharara, Radhika Jones, and Kal Penn.
The event, established by Maneesh K. Goyal, entrepreneur and co-founder of SONA, raised funds for the Asian American Writer’s Workshop (AAWW). The AAWW is an organization devoted to creating, publishing, developing, and disseminating creative writing by Asian Americans. Since its founding in 1991, they have been dedicated to the belief that Asian American stories deserve to be told.
“In times of darkness it is wonderful to see this community come together to celebrate the light,” said Radhika Jones, Editor-in-Chief, Vanity Fair, about the meaning of the evening.
Authentic to the South Asian culture’s devotion to inclusion, over 200 attendees were welcomed from all backgrounds, breaking cultural barriers to silence preconceived notions and stereotypes. Co-chairs Preet Bharara and Radhika Jones, were joined by host committee members and notable guests from the realms of entertainment, media, fashion, and hospitality including Huma Abedin, Sachin & Babi Ahluwalia, Alvina Patel Buxani, Devika Bhise, Shruti Ganguly, Mira Jacob, Jenna Lyons, Ariana Debose, Wes Gordon, Jill Kargman, Siddharth Kasliwal, Priya Krishna, Anjali Kumar, Aasif Mandvi, Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Bibhu Mohapatra, Benj Pasek, Puja Patel, Roopal Patel, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Anu Rao, Jay Sean, Pritika Swarup, Jessel Taank, Tinx, Jafreen Uddin, and Jason Wu.
The gala’s guests were dressed in a range of designs, both traditional and modern, from established and up-and-coming South Asian clothing and jewelry designers including Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Gaurav Gupta, Siddartha Tytler, Tarun Tahiliani, Payal Singhal, Papa don't Preach, Harleen Kaur, Gem Palace, and Kamaali Couture.
The evening served as a reflection and celebration of South Asian culture while participating in a gathering of plentiful food, sweets, gift exchanging, and more. Timeless, authentic Indian cuisine was provided by NYC’s very own SONA. Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter, and producer, Tesher, performed three of his top hits for the engaged crowd. American dance company, IMGE, showcased routines rooted in Indian classical, hip-hop, and contemporary movement. LilaNur Parfums infused the New York Diwali Gala by scenting the party with its Rajni Nocturne fragrance and creating an immersive sensory experience with a large-scale floral installation.
The event was generously presented in partnership with The Glenlivet, The Asian American Foundation, Instagram, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Gold House.
