as he enjoyed watching a sea of synchronized bodies dance and shimmy to the pulsating beats. It is in this experience that he truly realizes that his goals for the festival have been accomplished. Mathur received an MBA in Arts and Media Management as well as a BBA from Schulich University.
Photos: Projected Life Photography
fusion and Jay Sean went on to become a globally recognized singer with his hit single ‘Down’ hitting the top of the US charts. • Rahul Bose: another well known social activist and actor/producer of Arthouse films. Abhishek Mathur, Founder and Festival Director Masala! Mehndi! Masti!, the brainchild of founder Abhishek Mathur, was created to introduce a signature South Asian Event to the city of Toronto. Mathur founded the festival as a way for him to unite the cultures of his South Asian roots with his Canadian citizenship. Born in India and raised across 4 different continents: United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates, and Canada, Mathur developed an international perspective on life. Heavily influenced by the diverse arts and culture that he experienced in
these nations, Mathur shares a broad perspective with the M!M!M! team and uses these experiences to diversify the festival’s programming. Mathur’s passion for sharing art and culture was the main foundation that he used to help him to continue to pursue his dream of starting the festival despite the criticisms of others. Never wavering from his course of action, Mathur was determined to create a free festival that each generation could relate to and enjoy. Counting the M!M!M! fest as one of his proudest achievements, Mathur describes the festival as a “truly mindblowing” experience. As the founder of the M!M!M! fest, Mathur enjoys the simplest aspects of the festival. Last year’s World’s Biggest Dance Class was one of his most memorable experiences
Jyoti Rana, Director of Operations and Co-Founder of both the Masala! Mehndi! Masti! festival and Satya Arts Association. Born to East Indian immigrant parents in Toronto during the mid-1970s, Rana is first generation East Indian and grew up in the heart of downtown Toronto. Having lived since in Woodbridge, Rexdale, and Mississauga, Rana considers herself to be a true Torontonian with a deep love for Toronto’s multicultural diversity. With a background as an IT Professional, Rana leverages her methodical and detail-oriented approach when running M!M!M!, but draws more importantly upon her passion for supporting arts and culture. Co-founding the festival with her partner in business and in life, Abishek Mathur, Rana declares the festival as “one of the wildest rides in [her] life!” Through her experience with the event, Rana feels most fortunate to have met a multitude of individuals who, in one way or another, had an impact on her and shifting her perspective on life. Rana’s creativity, solidarity, and diligence are all elements that have contributed to M!M!M!’s success. As Masala! Mehndi! Masti! approaches its 9th year, Rana considers the festival to be one of her greatest achievements, practically a third child, “I have three children. My 8 year old son Satya, 3 year old daughter Sia, and soon-to-be 9 year old M!M!M! As we move closer and closer to year ten, I look forward to growing the festival into something bigger and better than ever!” She now resides with her family between Dubai and Toronto, Canada. SEPT. / OCT. 2010 93