Doors opened at 8:00 p.m., and attendees—draped in shimmering sarees, festive Indo-Western outfits, and celebratory winter colors—entered an atmosphere filled with music, memories, and anticipation. The venue, The Matrix Club in Naperville, Illinois, sparkled like a festive mandap, complete with cascading chandeliers, colorful décor, and the aroma of chaat and festive beverages. The celebration of Bollywood nostalgia was organized by Rajshri Events, Mauj Entertainment, and Kashif Khan Events and was entitled, “Golden Diva of Bollywood – Madhuri Dixit.” Families, fans, and Bollywood lovers from across the Midwest gathered to see one of Indian cinema’s most beloved icons. The evening was anchored by Shalin Bhanot, actor and Bigg Boss star, whose high-energy entrance set the tone for the night. With his signature charm, he greeted the crowd with a booming, “Chicago, are you ready?” sparking cheers, whistles, and applause throughout the hall. Bhanot led a lively fan contest to crown “Chicago’s Biggest Madhuri Dixit Fan.” The competition drew laughter, dance-offs, and a spirited performance by Rita Shah, whose rendition of “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” won the crowd’s heart. The excitement reached its peak as lights dimmed and music swelled. Shalin announced:“Presenting the incomparable, the eternal Madhuri Dixit!”To thunderous applause, Madhuri Dixit-Nene entered in a stunning crimson lehenga, radiating timeless grace and warmth. She greeted the Chicago audience with a heartfelt:“Namaskar! Thank you for braving the weather to celebrate with me tonight.” What followed was an intimate, unscripted evening filled with conversation, memories, dance, and pure Bollywood magic. Madhuri shared stories from her journey—her early days as a trained Kathak dancer, her first performances, and candid anecdotes from her decades-long film career. The crowd erupted with joy as she reenacted a moment from her 1991 Chicago tour when a broken heel forced her to dance barefoot with Anil Kapoor. She delighted fans by performing select steps from her iconic songs, from “Ek Do Teen” to “Dola Re Dola.” Under the Naperville lights, her Kathak spins and expressive grace transported the audience through Bollywood’s golden era. Shalin added humor and energy with spontaneous skits, including a playful “Devdas” act and a hilarious moment where he donned a ghagra, joking, “Ab samajh aaya why it takes so long to get ready!”
https://newsindiatimes.com/madhuri-dixit-shines-at-golden-diva-of-bollywood-celebration-at-the-matrix-club-chicago/
Category: celebration
Dussehra 2025: Beyond The Effigy, Confronting The Ravana Within
The evening sky glows, the crowd gathers, and children tug at their parents’ hands with excitement. Soon, a giant effigy of Ravana will be set on fire. Within minutes, it will crumble into ashes, and people will clap, cheer, and shout “Jai Shri Ram”. For many, this is what Dussehra is all about: a yearly spectacle of good triumphing over evil.
But as one watches the fire rise, a thought stirs quietly within: if Ravana was truly destroyed centuries ago by Lord Rama, why do we still build him every year, only to burn him again?
The truth may make many uncomfortable, but the fact is that Ravana never truly disappeared. He simply changed form.
Today, he does not come wearing a crown or carrying weapons. Instead, he appears in ways far more subtle and often far more dangerous. His ten heads were never meant only for storytelling; they symbolize the many weaknesses that still exist within human beings.
Just think about the life we live today. We may not see a ten-headed man walking on our streets, but we do see lust that consumes minds, anger that destroys relationships, greed that drives corruption, and ego that blinds judgment.
We see stubbornness that turns dialogue into conflict, vengeance that fuels hatred, hypocrisy that erodes trust, cruelty that strips away compassion, and quarrelsomeness that poisons families and societies alike.
So, in reality, Ravana’s “heads” are alive and well. They no longer belong to him; they belong to us.
That’s why the real meaning of Dussehra goes beyond burning an effigy. That fire lasts a few minutes, but the real fire must be lit within, where these weaknesses hide. And hence, celebrating Dussehra without self-reflection is like reading a story without learning its lesson.
The Ramayana also reminds us that Ravana could not be defeated by ordinary men. Similarly, the Ravana within us cannot be conquered by wishful thinking. It requires inner strength, the kind that comes from connecting with the Divine.
So, as we celebrate this festival amidst fireworks and festivity, let us not forget its deeper message.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/dussehra-2025-beyond-the-effigy-confronting-the-ravana-within
Symbols of offering
Every year, during the Islamic month of Rabi al-Thani, devotees of Abdul Qadir Gilani gather on the banks of the Ravi River to take part in a meaningful and symbolic ritual. They launch paper boats carrying lighted clay lamps and other symbolic offerings into the river.
This tradition serves as a way for devotees to make wishes or to express gratitude after their wishes have been granted. The practice is an integral part of the celebrations of the Sufi saint’s Urs, which commemorates the death anniversary.
The Urs of Abdul Qadir Gilani, known as the Gyarwin Shareef, falls on the 11th of Rabi al-Thani. It is a significant spiritual event marked by devotion, reflection, and community gatherings along the Ravi River.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1346831-symbols-of-offering