Celebrating Cornwall Cultural Festival 2018 Mela
First Multi-Cultural Event in Cornwall’s history, organized by South-Asians

Cornwall, August 12, 2018 – South-Asian community joined together from Montreal, Cornwall and Ottawa to share their culture in the Lamoureux Park, Cornwall. This is the first multicultural event in Cornwall and the trend is to continue.

Click here to see photos.

Cornwall Cultural Festival 2018 Mela was hosted by S&S Advertiser and organized by Shoaib Sadiq, Mohammad Naeem Talat, Muslam Abbas Khan and Dr. Monika Spolia at the Lamoureux Park.

The chief guest of the event was His worship Mr. Leslie O’Shaughnessy the Mayor of the city of Cornwall. Mr. Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry was the special guest of the evening. Other special guests of the evening were Mr. Pulkit Kantawala, city councilor for Dollard-des-Ormeaux District 7 (Montreal) and Dr. Harpal S. Buttar from Ottawa.

The cultural program on stage continued from noon till 9 pm. There were variety of performers. Two kids started the program
with Canadian National Anthem in Tamil, Maghilan and Elilan Somrajendram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loYYsNpG0-0

Ustad Daud Khan ji played tabla with Mars Trinity on guitar and they were accompanied by Sonu on dhol. Mars Trinity sang popular rock songs to the fusion music and was excellent. These performers were from Montreal.

A duo of sitar by Gaurav and tabla by Kulkani was played as well. A great duo from Montrealers.

Sudeshna Maulik, a disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj performed amazing Kathak-Bharatnatyam duet with Rajesh Chenthy. The audience enjoyed the traditional talent immensely.

Arjita Gupta performed a beautiful dance on ‘meri rashke qamar’. Another guitar player joined us later on, Michael from Cornwall. He played and sang solo, fantastic. Haider sang two very nice karaoke songs. The crowd also enjoyed dancing to
the dhol in the park.

One of a kind event initiated, hosted and organized by the South Asians is a step forward in choosing Canada their home to make, nurture and stay.

Thanks to all the sponsors, guests, volunteers, performers and the attendees. Till the next one…..

Dr. Monika Spolia

published in Bharat Times August 2018 issue