Author: SITHARA

My passion in life is driven by meeting new people, connecting with them, knowing their stories, because for me that’s the best way to embrace new cultures when you travel.
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Thousands participate in International Day of Yoga in Toronto

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Swami Ramdev with 800 million followers and Sister Shivani, with 200 million followers lead yoga and meditation sessions

Toronto, June 27, 2017: The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) enthusiastically celebrated the third edition of the International Day of Yoga on an unprecedented scale in the presence of His Holiness Yogrishi Swami Ramdev, world renowned yoga master and Sister Shivani, Spiritual leader, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.

More than 10,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in the yoga sessions held at the International Centre in Mississauga, among them several dignitaries including Kristy Duncan, Canada’s Minister of Science; Patrick Brown, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario; Dipika Damerla, Ontario Minister of Seniors Affairs; Deepak Obhrai, Member of Parliament, Hazel McCallion, the  legendary former Mayor of Mississauga and prominent members of the federal, provincial and city political establishments; community and business leaders. The event also witnessed the participation of diplomatic corps based in Toronto.

Swami Ramdev congratulated India’s Consul General Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia, chair of the Advisory Committee of the International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) and Satish Thakkar, chair of organising committee of IYDC.

“Toronto has organised the largest and the best 3rd International Day of Yoga celebrations outside India,” Swamiji Ramdev said expressing happiness at the heartwarming and rousing reception with which he was greeted by the massive gathering.  “An individual who follows the true path of yoga will be free from desire & lust. Eschewing desire and worldly entrapments leads to true freedom and happiness. Selflessness alone can lead us to salvation and stability,” he said during the three-hour yoga session he held with over 5000 participants interspersing the yoga exercises with wisdom, wit and yoga techniques. Continue reading “Thousands participate in International Day of Yoga in Toronto”

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#BollywoodMonster Mashup Reveals Bollywood Star Zee Cine Award Winner Kamal Khan

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…. Announces Comedian Ali Hassan as FoodFest Host

Singer of “Ishq Sufiyana” added to the festival’s larger-than-life programming, Host of CBC’s Laugh Out Loud Ali Hassan to emcee Monster FoodFest

2017 BMM Logo.jpg

Mississauga, ON: Multi-award winning Bollywood star Kamal Khan is set to appear at Canada’s largest South Asian Festival, #BollywoodMonster Mashup presented by TD, this July at Mississauga Celebration Square. With over 8 million views on YouTube, his hit song “Ishq Sufiyana” from the film The Dirty Picture has stood the test of time and continues to be a fan favourite. Kamal Khan’s hypnotic vocals paired with the song’s bright melody makes it the perfect single to enjoy the summer air and earned the singer a Zee Cine Award for Fresh New Singing Talent, in addition to Male Vocalist of the Year at the Mirchi Music Awards and Best Music Debut at the Global Indian Music Awards. Popular among both critics and fans Kamal Khan’s skilled musicality earned him Favourite Male Singer at People’s Choice Awards India and Best Playback Singer (Male) at the PTC Punjabi Film Awards for the song “Dil De Varke” from the film Fer Mamla Gadbad Gadbad. Following his award-winning singles, the Punjabi singer continues to release hit after hit. His latest songs, “Barsatan” and “Sach” have over 1 million views on the artist’s YouTube channel. Kamal Khan is bringing his irresistible hits to #BollywoodMonster Mashup as the festival’s Friday night closer in a can’t-miss performance!

“I can’t wait to close the show Friday night at #BollywoodMonster Mashup! I’m excited to connect with the crowd at this massive festival and get a feel for their energy,” says Kamal Khan, “It will be great to reach such a wide audience and be able to perform for so many fans at once.” Continue reading “#BollywoodMonster Mashup Reveals Bollywood Star Zee Cine Award Winner Kamal Khan”

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Marty Awards 2017

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Mississauga’s very own MARTY Awards honour Top Artists

–by N.Jatin

Mississauga’s very own MARTY Awards was celebrated mid-last month. Leading artists were honoured at the 2017 MARTY awards ceremony by the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC). The awards were presented on Thursday May 18, at the Mississauga Convention Centre. A large number of nominated artists walked the carpet and mingled with the numerous media personnel covering the event. The Mississauga Arts Council was pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 MARTY Awards in the following categories :

Festival of the Year – TD Mosaic

Lifetime Achievement – Robert J. Sawyer
Hazel McCallion Volunteer of the Year – Jake Dheer
Emerging Literary Arts – Rebecca Zseder
Established Literary Arts – Larrisa Fleurette Ho
Emerging Media Arts – Shazia Javed
Established Media Arts – Rosa Wang
Emerging Music Solo – Vocalists – Nicholas Cunha
Established Music Solo – Vocalists – Chuck Jackson
Established Music Solo – Vocalists – Alx Veliz

Emerging Music Solo – Instrumental – Naoko Sakata
Established Music Solo – Instrumental – Yi-Jia Susanne Hou
Emerging Music Group – Keys to Belfast
Established Music Group  – Billy Talent
Emerging Visual Arts – Angela Chao
Established Visual Arts – Laura Beaton
Emerging Theatre – Adriana Serra
Established Theatre – City Centre Musical Production
Established Dance – Frog in Hand Company
Creative Design – David Dixon Continue reading “Marty Awards 2017”

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Brampton celebrates Canada 150 with Canadian rockers Big Wreck and more

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BRAMPTON, ON – The City of Brampton is thrilled to be celebrating Canada Day Saturday,
July 1, at Chinguacousy Park. From noon to 10 pm, join the party that includes free, fun activities for all,
Lumberjack Shows, multi-platinum selling Big Wreck and so much more.

“Celebrate our Nation’s Confederation at Brampton Celebrates Canada 150 in Chinguacousy Park,”
said Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “This celebration attracts residents and visitors from across the province. A
great lineup of local and national artists and activities for the entire family ensures this year’s event will
be better than ever. I invite you to join us in celebrating our nation’s vibrant culture and diversity and
make this Canada Day a memorable one.”

After a day filled with exciting entertainment, Big Wreck will hit the Main Stage at 8:25 pm. The band,
after achieving huge success across Canada and the US, released their fifth and latest studio album
Grace Street earlier this year. Grace Street is described as an album that continues to build on the
creative momentum of their two previous Juno-nominated releases Ghosts and Albatross.

The event, sponsored in part by RBC and CIBC, will feature a Main Stage, hosted by Khaled Iwamura
of inbrampton.com. The entertainment lineup also includes Yukon Blonde whose latest album On
Blonde was released in 2015. The album’s tone is an exercise in pop pleasures, ranging from spiky
guitar-driven tracks to irrepressible sing-alongs such as the lead single “Saturday Night”. Continue reading “Brampton celebrates Canada 150 with Canadian rockers Big Wreck and more”

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Vandana Vishwas To Perform At The LCCA-CANORAA 4-Worlds Festival

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After a whirlwind tour of UK and India to promote her  recently released third studio album ‘Parallels’, which saw
her being featured in several leading Indian and UK media and radio including All India Radio and BBC, noted IndoCanadian singer, composer and World Music producer Vandana Vishwas is back in Canada for her 2017 summer-fall season that has her featuring in some interesting platforms. As the coordinator of south Asian music programming at the 4 Worlds festival organized by LCCA-CANORAA, Toronto, Vandana Vishwas is presenting three of the leading south Asian bands – Autorickshaw, LAL & Rakkatak, apart from performing herself. The indoor leg of the festival took place on 2nd & 3rd June 2017 at Rodeo Brazilian Steakhouse,

Toronto while the outdoor leg will take place at Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre in Earl Bales Park, Toronto, from 24th June to 15th July 2017, featuring various Latin, African, South Asian and First Nations artists. Artistic Director of the festival is Alejandro Freeland, Production Manager is Michelle Truzzi Trusbsch, Coordinator of African artists is Jacques Yamdije, Coordinator of First Nations artists is Mahika Averi and the festival is being organized by Latin
Canadian Cultural Association & CANORAA. Vandana will appear next on stage on 8th July 2017.

http://www.lccatoronto.com/english/history.html

Following this, Vandana is being featured at the Culture Bridge Festival in New Market, ON by Culture Bridge
Initiative on 7th July 2017. The 3 day long festival will take place at Riverwalk Commons and Magna Centre in
Newmarket. https://www.culturebridge.ca/ Apart from these and various other community events, Continue reading “Vandana Vishwas To Perform At The LCCA-CANORAA 4-Worlds Festival”

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World’s largest online meditation on the 3rd International Yoga Day of the United Nations on 21 June 2017

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St. John’s, NL, Canada:  Under the motto “Peace in One´s World”, the German not-for-profit “Samarpan Meditation Deutschland Stiftung” Foundation is undertaking a world record attempt in the world’s largest online meditation on the third International Yoga Day of the United Nations on 21 June 2017 at 11:30 am (EDT). The meditation is led by the founder of the foundation, meditation master H.H. Shree Shivkrupanand Swami from India. The broadcast takes place via live stream on the Internet via the website www.journey2innerpeace.com where there is further information on the login and on which, one can also be registered in advance. The event is welcome by the yoga minister of the Republic of India.

“If we want peace in our world, first we have to be peaceful from within. When we work to become peaceful from within and with us many, many people, then the peace within all of us will permeate around in our world.” says Dr. Veeresh Gadag, a trustee of ‘Shree Shivkrupanand Swami Foundation Canada / La Foundation Shree Shivkrupanand Swami Canada’ – the Canadian Chapter and a registered not-for-profit Organization in Canada. Dr Veeresh Gadag together with Dr. Shirish Nathwani and Dr. Kate McKenzie the other two Trustees in Canada would like to warmly invite everyone to participate in this global peace campaign.

With the worldwide online meditation, the foundation would like to draw attention to the precious knowledge of meditation. Meditation is part of many different faiths and religions. Which method is practiced is not important here – the wish of the foundation is that as many people as possible learn about the positive effect of meditation. Continue reading “World’s largest online meditation on the 3rd International Yoga Day of the United Nations on 21 June 2017”

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THE WORLD’S LARGEST TOURING PRODUCTION MAKES ITS MISSISSAUGA DEBUT

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MORE SHOWS ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO: #OdysseoSAUGA – The internationally acclaimed entertainment company Cavalia has  arrived in Ontario earlier than originally announced with its latest production Odysseo that is wowing North American audiences and critics alike. With the addition of six performances to the show calendar, the 30 million dollar theatrical extravaganza has now made its Mississauga debut under the White Big Top next to the Hershey Centre on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Matinee and evening performances for Odysseo are scheduled through July 16 and are now on sale online at www.cavalia.com or by calling 1-866-999-8111.

Odysseo transports spectators to a new level of beauty, grace, and magic. The show features 65 magnificent horses and 48 talented riders, acrobats, dancers, stilt walkers and musicians. Odysseo is a true revolution in live entertainment with an impressive list of superlatives: the world’s largest touring production, the largest touring tent on Earth, the biggest stage, the most breathtaking visual effects, and the greatest number of horses at liberty.

TICKETS – Tickets are priced from $39.50 to $139.50 + applicable taxes and fees. For a memorable evening, the Rendez-Vous package offers the best seats in the house, full meal buffet dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit of the stables after the show. This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous package prices range from $139.50 to $224.50 + applicable taxes and fees. Special pricing and packages available for groups, children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and seniors (65+). Continue reading “THE WORLD’S LARGEST TOURING PRODUCTION MAKES ITS MISSISSAUGA DEBUT”

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Markham Brings Exciting Entertainment Lineup to Canada Day Celebrations

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It is with great pride that the City of Markham – the nation’s most diverse city – joins municipalities from coast-to-coast-to-coast to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

This year, we celebrate Canada 150 with Markham’s largest and most vibrant Canada Day celebration yet! Each year, this signature event draws over 25,000 attendees from Markham, the Greater Toronto Area and across Southern Ontario.

From the Citizenship Ceremony, to the sold out Seniors Luncheon, People’s Parade and celebrations at Milne Dam, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Today, Mayor Frank Scarpitti and the City of Markham’s Canada Day Co-Chairs, Councillor Alex Chiu and Councillor Amanda Collucci, announced the winner of Star Search Markham and the outstanding entertainment that you can expect at Markham’s Milne Dam celebrations on July 1.

This Canadian children’s music duo is a three-time JUNO nominated and three-time INDIES Children’s Group of the Year award winner. Splash’N Boots started out as a class project at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. Since then, the group has released nine albums, three DVDs and has traveled across the world performing. Nick Adams (Splash) and Taes Leavitt (Boots) from Treehouse TV will have families singing and dancing the afternoon away.

Continue reading “Markham Brings Exciting Entertainment Lineup to Canada Day Celebrations”

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Little India, Enormous Dreams

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Success is a beautiful thing. Whether in business, school, sports or any endeavour. Filmmaker Nina Beveridge, successfully captures the essence of Little India, in her film A Village of Dreams. The film, unsurprisingly, is more a paean to Toronto’s beloved Indian bazaar on Gerrard Street. The documentary is loaded with nostalgia and Did-You-Know trivia that keeps viewers sated. Ultimately one walks out knowing little more about the little India.

For most part Little India, a Village of Dreams, runs a highlight reel, revisiting the key milestones of the entrepreneurs, the culture, the atmosphere that form the essence of what Gerrard Street is all about.

Over the years, the few blocks stretch of Gerrard has acquired the noteworthy status of being one of the most charming, beguiling and multicultural streets in Canada. Walking in there, especially in the summer is like entering a movie set.

It’s an amazing journey to just watch the restaurants and stores evolve. It’s fascinating, it’s forever changing, evolving and it’s a mini India. Watching the beautiful film, will want you to visit and revisit this village of dreams.

Voices of the family members of the business owners recalling anecdotes, sharing their personal stories acknowledge the collective dreams, vision and passion. There are several aww-worthy moments, and the one that lingers most is when Mr. Multani who learnt to speak English when he arrived in Canada, by watching cartoons on TV. Today, both his sons are medical doctors.

The musical score is very impressive. The film also briefly manages to make viewers aware of the diversity, the peaceful co-existence among different ethnicities. Documentaries made with the support and participation of the subject’s families can be informative and insightful.

It took Nina and her partner Paul Hart of Beevision Productions more than a year to document the eclectic neighbourhood’s history. Continue reading “Little India, Enormous Dreams”

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Akram Khan’s Until the Lions Roars at Luminato Festival in Toronto!

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By Nita Balani

Akram Khan Company’s interpretation of a small story from the Hindu epic poem the Mahabharata stands up as a monumental show on the modern dance/theatre stage.

Until the Lions is originally written by author Karthika Nair, who had the brilliance of mind to draw from the male-dominated, war-themed Mahabharata to focus on the lesser known female characters and make them shine strongly through her collection of stories.

Akram Khan has taken a leaf out of her book to interpret the story of warrior princess Amba ( award winning danseuse Ching-Ying Chien) and her kidnapping by Prince Bheeshma (Akram Khan) through the powerful art of dance. Bheeshma wants her to marry his brother but Amba says she loves someone else and thus Bheeshma releases her back to her family. However as per customs of her time she is rejected by the family and her suitor as she is considered ‘spoils of war” and tainted. She then goes back to Bheeshma and demands he does the right thing and marry her; Bheeshma refuses as he has taken a vow of celibacy which he cannot break. Amba then swears to get her revenge and goes into deep penance wherein Lord Shiva grants her wish of finding revenge in her next life as a warrior. To hasten her rebirth she self immolates to end her life. She then returns in her male form as Shikhandi (Joy Alpuerto Ritter) to fight Bheeshma on the battlefield. As he recognizes her as the reincarnation of Amba and a female, he lays down his weapon. He is then killed by Shikhandi and the female triumphs. Continue reading “Akram Khan’s Until the Lions Roars at Luminato Festival in Toronto!”