Sumeet Tappoo presented a scintillating concert for the One World One Family foundation -- PAGE 4
Kirtan Fest Houston 2025 A Youth-led Celebration of Devotion, Music & Community
Houston: Kirtan Fest Houston 2025 marked the powerful return of one of the community’s most beloved celebrations. Organized by the youth of ISKCON Houston, the festival brought together thousands of people for a weekend filled with sacred music, flowers, devotion, and community spirit. Over three days, more than 2,500 people attended the event, experiencing the joy of kirtan and the warmth of a community united in service.
The centerpiece of this year’s festival was the Flower Festival on Sunday night, held in honor of Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. More than 2,300 people gathered on this night alone, making it the largest Flower Festival in North America. Over 30,000 flowers were offered in a joyful abhishek, showering the deities and the crowd in color and fragrance. The atmosphere was electric as the temple became a living garden of devotion, celebrating the beauty and mercy of Radharani’s birthday.
ATTORNEYS
Across the weekend, participants were immersed in 31 hours of kirtan led by renowned musicians from around the world. The sacred chanting created a spiritual sanctuary where people of all backgrounds connected through sound. This global gathering of musicians gave the festival an international spirit while remaining deeply rooted in Houston’s local temple community.
Service was another hallmark of the festival. More than 4,200 meals were served, ensuring that everyone who came was nourished and cared for. From volunteers preparing prasadam (food) to youth coordinating logistics, the entire event reflected the community’s values of hospitality and service.
Support for the festival was also evident in the overwhelming enthusiasm for merchandise, which sold out completely, with 80 percent gone on the very first day. Beyond those present, Kirtan Fest Houston reached far wider, with more than 90,000 impressions across social media, allowing thousands more to join virtually in the celebration of Radhastami.
What makes this year especially significant is that the festival was revived after a long hiatus by the youth of ISKCON Houston. For the organizers, it was an offering of gratitude to the temple and culture that shaped their childhoods. By stepping forward, the youth showed that tradition is alive, growing, and being carried into the future with devotion and energy.
Kirtan Fest 2025 was more than a festival, it was a testament to what is possible when love, music, and community come together. It is a way to bring people together, to celebrate through sacred music and flowers, and to show how youth can play an active role in sustaining traditions while making them accessible for future generations. With thousands attending in person, tens of thousands of impressions online, and every detail infused with service, the festival has set a new standard for what a youth-led celebration can be. For continued updates on this year’s festival and future events, please follow @kirtanfesthou and visit kirtanfesthou. com
SCAN FOR DIRECTIONS:
“Concert for a Cause” Brings Community Together for Music and Mission
By
Houston: The spirit of compassion and unity filled the air on Friday, August 29, 2025, as music lovers from across Houston gathered at India House for the muchanticipated Concert for a Cause, presented by the One World One Family Foundation.
The evening featured internationally acclaimed vocalist Sumeet Tappoo, whose golden voice transported a packed audience through the timeless melodies of Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, and Jagjit Singh. Backed by a team of world-class musicians from Mumbai, Tappoo’s performance was both a nostalgic journey and
Adding a special hometown touch, Houston’s own Payel Mitra also graced the stage with a captivating performance that drew warm applause and highlighted the depth of local talent within the community.
The sold-out event was not only a musical feast but also a heartfelt initiative to raise awareness and support for the construction of the world’s largest free 600-bed rural hospital in Muddenahalli, Karnataka, India. Once completed, the hospital will provide free healthcare to children and families in need, embodying the vision of “love in action” through accessible medical care.
Tappoo, who has long used his music as a platform for service, reminded the audience that “love in action” is the true heartbeat of the initiative. “Music can touch hearts,” he said, “but it is service that truly heals lives. Tonight, we are uniting both.”
The evening was made even more special by its warm sense of community. Guests shared a boxed dinner before the show, and were visibly moved by both the artistry on stage and the meaningful mission behind the concert. “This was more than just a concert,” said one attendee, visibly moved by the performance. “It felt like a gift; every note carried a deeper meaning because it was tied to such a noble cause.” The sold-out crowd
responded with ovations, clapping and singing along to beloved hits that spanned generations.
The grand finale turned the hall into a celebration. As Sumeet Tappoo and the band launched into a medley of upbeat Bollywood numbers, the audience could not stay in their seats, many jumped up to dance in the aisles, clapping and swaying to the infectious rhythms. Smiles and laughter filled the room, ending the night on a joyous, high-spirited note.
Organizers expressed deep gratitude to the audience, volunteers, sponsors and the local Indian radio and print media whose support made the evening an outstanding success. The event stood as a reminder that music, when combined
with compassion, can become a powerful force for global good.
“The support we saw tonight is a testament to Houston’s spirit of giving,” said Vivek Mahadevan, a Board member of the One World One Family Foundation. “Together, we can build not only a hospital but also a future where healthcare is a right, not a privilege.”
As the final notes echoed through the hall, the message was clear: when music and compassion join hands, they can heal the world.
Visit www.oneworldonefamily.foundation to learn more about this noble endeavor.
Ajit PArAlkAr a celebration of India’s musical heritage.
Fiji-born Sumeet Tappoo enthralled the capacity audience with popular Bollywood songs. He is currently studying under famed bhajan singer Anup Jalota
Houston-based Payel Mitra sang iconic Lata Mangeshkar melodies. She was one of top singers on the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa talent show.
Sumeet Tappoo (center) with the principal One World One Family Foundation volunteers and their guests. Below: Concert’s finale had the guests dancing!
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Osmania University Alumni Reunion Delivers Musical Memories
HOUSTON: The Osmania University Alumni Association celebrated with warm camaraderie an enjoyable dinner and musical event on Saturday, August 23, at India House for nearly 200 graduates and friends of the prestigious Hyderabad, India-based institution.
The highlighted by performances from renowned, award-winning Indian singer Ramana Cheelam who was on a US tour and acclaimed local vocalist Sarada Akunuri. Their flawless performances of vintage Hindi and Telugu songs had the guests nodding their heads and shuffling in their seats in appreciation. Appetizers and dinner were catered by Biriyani Pot on Westheimer.
Founded by Osmanians in the United States, the Association is led by President Harinath Medi of Houston. Over the past dozen years, the group has hosted multiple cultural evenings in conjunction with visits from four Osmania University Vice Chancellors, including a 2022 celebration during the visit of former VC Prof. Ravinder.
The local organizing committee - Harinath Medi, Showri Nanadagiri, Mahendra Korivi, Jeevan Pulijal, Bala Asawa, and Viren Kumar,
along with their spouses—handled event planning and logistic. Korivi welcomed attendees, with his characteristic humorous wit. In his opening remarks, Medi talked with affection of his old Alma Mater. “With the iconic Arts College, the towering Osmania Library, the majestic Ravindra Auditorium—and the splendid colleges led by scholarly teachers, one feels Mother Saraswathi chose Osmania as her abode,” Medi exclaimed. “The Gardens perfume the air; a tranquil lake mirrors the sky; the flower plants, towering trees; rocks and boulders and expansive wilderness appears as if Mother Nature herself decorated the Campus tastefully.”
Under Medi’s leadership, the national Alumni Association has delivered tangible impact on campus, including a Computer Center in the Arts College (with lead support from Aziz Jamaluddin); a Seminar Hall in the Science College (with lead support from Kris Raju), and few student scholarships.
Additional fundraising is underway for new projects now in planning satges. “There is tremendous potential ahead,” Medi said, adding “our team is committed and dedicated to accomplishing the goals we’ve set.”
Simba Roars at the World Beer Awards 2025 with Global Recognition BUSINESS
MuMBAi: India’s homegrown craft beer brand, Simba, has won global recognition at the World Beer Awards 2025, securing Silver for Simba Wit and Bronze for Simba Stout in the India Country Winners in the Taste Category. These wins mark an important milestone for Simba as it places Indian craft beers on the global brewing map, showcasing quality and innovation against international competition.
The World Beer Awards is one of the most respected brewing competitions worldwide, judged by expert panels of brewers, writers, and industry specialists through blind tastings. It awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals within each country before selecting top contenders for the World’s Best in various beer styles. This recognition highlights Simba’s adherence to world-class brewing standards while representing India’s evolving craft beer culture.
Simba Wit, winner of the Silver medal, is a Belgian-style Witbier known for its use of wheat malt, coriander, and orange peel. These ingredients give it a hazy appearance, a refreshing citrus aroma, and a smooth, light body, making it both complex and easy to drink.
The Bronze-winning Simba Stout embodies the rich tradition of Stout beers through roasted barley and dark malts that deliver strong coffee, chocolate, and caramel notes balanced by a creamy texture and slightly bitter finish.
Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia, the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Simba Beer, has been instrumental in transforming India’s craft beer landscape. Launched in 2016, Simba Beer has rapidly emerged as a formidable player in the industry.
Under Ishwaraj’s operational leadership, Simba Beer has expanded its presence to the 16 Indian states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Assam. The company’s state-of-the-art brewery in Durg, Chhattisgarh, produces a diverse portfolio of beers—Wit, Lager, Stout, and Strong—that have garnered a loyal consumer base. Notably, Simba Beer was the first in India to introduce bottled stout beer, marking a significant milestone in the coun-
try’s craft beer evolution. By its eighth year, Simba Beer has shown robust growth trajectory. In 2024, the company diversified into the liquor market with the launch of ZigZag vodka, available in original, lime, orange, and green apple flavors. This strategic move aims to capture a significant share of India’s evolving spirits market. Beyond product innovation, Ishwaraj has fostered cultural engagement through digital integrations and proprietary event
IPs like Brew Off and Uproar. The brand has also partnered with premium events such as India Cocktail Week and Pickle Padel events with Nykaa. Such initiatives have strengthened Simba Beer’s brand presence and resonated with India’s dynamic youth demographic.
Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia’s strategic vision and operational expertise continue to drive Simba Beer’s ascent, solidifying its position as a leader in India’s craft beer and spirits industry. As Simba Beer continues to expand its footprint in India’s alco-bev space, the brand has launched Brew Off, an industry-first initiative focused on collaborative brewing. This platform, which began in Mumbai for Maharashtra microbreweries, has
evolved into Simba Garage. The initiative aims to bring together local breweries and push the boundaries of craft beer innovation.
The first product under this platform, Los Pablos, created in partnership with Mumbai’s Rolling Mills, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. To dive deeper into this initiative and its impact on India’s craft beer landscape, we spoke with Ishwaraj Singh Bhatia.
“At Simba, we see craft beer as more than just a beverage—it’s a culture of creativity, quality, and pushing boundaries. With the first Simba Garage limited edition and the launch of Los Pablos, we’re elevating this ethos by creating a platform that connects independent craft brewers with a wider audience.
Los Pablos is the result of the Simba Brew Off, where some of India’s most talented brewers had the opportunity to showcase their skills. By bringing these exceptional brews to life at scale, we’re not just introducing bold new flavors—we’re fostering innovation and growing India’s craft beer community. This initiative ensures that beer lovers get to experience unique small-batch brews that might otherwise be limited to niche taprooms, making craft beer more accessible and exciting than ever before.” -- ToI, Brewer World
Osmania local organizing committee
President Harinath Medi welcomed the alumni to the dinner and musical event.
TCC SPRING PROF 2025 | WINNERS: ALL STARS CC | RUNNERS-UP: BIG12
In a historic showdown, All Stars CC clinched their first-ever TCC Taped Ball Spring Professional Championship for Div II teams defeating the formidable Big 12 in a low-scoring final that showcased discipline, firepower, and composure.
Big 12 won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a modest 105/9 in 20 overs. Their innings never gained momentum, thanks to a relentless and balanced bowling attack led by Thisara Ishan, who removed key batter Neeraj early and went on to claim 3 wickets for 21 runs, delivering searing pace and pinpoint accuracy. He was well supported by Tanmay Shah, Archit Shah, and Roshaka Rajapaksha, each maintaining tight lines and pressure. A fighting 30 off 36 by Varun Satyanarayana was the only resistance, helping Big 12 reach a competitive total.
Chasing 106, All Stars openers Chathura Silva and Nishant Padhiar provided a steady foundation. The chase was anchored further by Roshaka Rajapaksha (34) and Archit Shah (34), with Nishant Padhiar contributing 26, guiding All Stars to a comfortable victory with eight wickets in hand. Arun Indugula and Prabaharan Devadoss picked up a wicket each for Big 12.
Led by the cool-headed captain Manoj Warnapura and dynamic vice-captain Thisara Weerasekara, All Stars finally ended their title drought, lifting the trophy in style.
The final was followed by a lively presentation ceremony, hosted by TCC organizer Jagadish Biradar. Dinesh, the co-organizer was thanked for his flawless volunteering activity of scheduling. Roshaka Rajapaksha of All Stars was the MOM for the final for the matchwinning effort of 2 wickets and 34 runs. He was also the Man of The Series. The Winners’ Trophy was received by All Stars Captain Manoj Warnapura, while the Runners-up Trophy was accepted by Big12 captain Arun Indugala. Ojas from BHCC was best batsman with 325 runs, Roshaka from All Stars was the best bowler with 14 wickets, Pavan from JavelinasGenx was the best keeper with 27 dismissals, Ojas from BHCC was best allrounder with 325 runs and 8 wickets, Aneesh from Big12, Manik from TG Titans and Ojas from BHCC got special awards for centuries, Vivek from Neo Spring Vireos got a special award for Hat trick
The TCC Spring 2025 Prof Final will be remembered for All Stars’ rise to glory and a tournament filled with standout performances and fierce competition
Cricclubs score card is https:// cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard. do?matchId=2583&clubId=8675
YouTube link is at https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jBOORRcDwH8
Report on TCC Taped Ball website is at https://triggerscricket. com/?p=1104
Winners: All Stars CC
Runners Up: Big 12
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Param Sundari’: Charming Chemistry
By dHAvAl roy
Story: Param Sundari is a crosscultural love story between Param Sachdev (Sidharth Malhotra), a brattish North Indian boy, and Sundari (Janhvi Kapoor), a responsible and simple South Indian girl. Despite their contrasting personalities, traditions, and expectations, Param is convinced they are soulmates. But there’s more to their love story. Will love truly blossom for the duo?
Review: Param wants his dad (Sanjay Kapoor) to invest in his dating app, but the pakka businessman senior first wants proof of concept, like the biggies in ‘fish tank’ (shark tank). If Param can find a soulmate online in a month, he can have the money. He matches with Thekkepattu Sundari Damodaram Pillai, or Sundari, in the beautiful and sleepy town of Kerala. As he reaches there, he is instantaneously smitten. But Sundari is less than impressed with him and his friend, Juggy (Manjot Singh) who can’t tell one South Indian from the other—not even Rajinikanth from Mohanlal.
However, Param and Sundari take a liking for each other, but there are more roadblocks—Sundari is set to be married to Venu Gopal (Siddhartha Shankar), and she is miffed about being a part of Param’s business experiment. Can the Delhi boy win her over?
Director Tushar Jalota’s film doesn’t tread new ground and leans on familiar tropes, yet it offers a light, watchable romantic fare. The narrative is predictable, but moves at a steady pace. The build up in the first half offers some light moments that will keep you engaged.What works in the film’s favour are the picturesque Kerala backdrops, tender moments, and Sachin-Jigar’s music—particularly Pardesiya, Danger, and Sundari Ke Pyaar Mein. The humour is light in parts, though not every gag works equally well.The real highlight is the charming chemistry between Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, who make the opposites-attract arc believable and
enjoyable. The actors light up the screen with their presence, especially Janhvi who looks gorgeous in the traditional Malayali avatar. Sanjay Kapoor, Manjot Singh,
Renji Panicker, and Siddhartha Shankar lend able support.Even if it largely remains in the known territory, fans of breezy romances will find it a pleasant watch.
‘Songs of Paradise’: Moving, Inspiring
Story: This film tells the moving and inspiring story of a woman who defied all odds to become one of Kashmir’s legendary singers at a time when women had little freedom or voice.
Review: ‘Songs of Paradise’ is a poetic film that moves you with its sheer simplicity. Set against the backdrop of Kashmir in the 50s and 60s, it tells its story with honesty and grace. There is a stillness in the way the narrative unfolds, almost like turning the pages of Noor Begum’s life, the famed Kashmiri singer whose journey forms the soul of the film. The film beautifully transports you to that bygone era, making you feel as if you’re watching life as it once
was. What makes it special is that it stays true to its intent, never crowding the plot with anything unnecessary or loud.
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