Spring rites celebrate East Indian culture in Windsor

By Mark Brown

East Indian fashion, colours and music marked the arrival of spring recently at a showcase event in Windsor.

Dozens of people gathered at the Gourmet Emporium in Walkerville to celebrate Rang De, an observance of colour and culture to mark the pending arrival of spring.  The event was conceived by Treasures Entertainment, a local business dedicated to organizing events promoting East Indian culture and fashion in Windsor-Essex.

Co-founder Satnam Virdi says it is a concept that he has been wanting to promote for as long as he has lived in the area. He says there was something missing from the ethnic and cultural canvass of Windsor-Essex.

“You have a social scene for university students.  You’ve got a social scene of family events for the Asian community,” said Virdi, 37, of Belle River.

Virdi said that one aspect Rang De supports was a platform of fashion.  London Treasures is a promotional vehicle for local sellers of East Indian fashion, such as saris.  London Treasures was conceived by Virdi’s British-born wife Harpreet and was also featured at the Walkerville event.

“She deals with a lot of the boutique stuff so it’s a platform for her as well,” said Virdi.

Rang De not only showcased East Indian fashion and jewelry but also businesses that acted as sponsors for the event.  Attendees, wearing a mix of saris, Western suits and Nehru jackets, enjoyed a full bar that included a “Rang De” cocktail. A buffet of Indian delicacies such as rice and curry was available along with live entertainment from a Bollywood performer.

Mukesh Vara was the primary performer at the event.  A native of the United Kingdom, he has performed for at least 20 years, specializing in vocals, Indian drums and keyboards.  He has lived in Windsor-Essex for over 10 years and believes that the East Indian community in the area is very strong.

“We just built the new Hindu Temple (and Cultural Centre), which is on Enterprise Way,” said Vara. “We have a large community here.  When we had the inauguration way back in November we had over 600 people just come for the opening ceremony.  We have a diverse Indian community with the Sikhs and so on. We have a large contingency.”

Virdi, who is Sikh, was born in Singapore but grew up in the Toronto area.  He also lived in England for years and married his wife there.  Virdi is also convinced there is a big East Indian community in a diverse place like Windsor-Essex.

“All we’re trying to do is cater to that growing community,” said Virdi.  “Coming from the UK there is an urbanized Indian theme.  That’s the kind of culture I’m trying to bring in here.”

Virdi said he would love to continue doing single events such as Rang De throughout the year.

“I’d like to create one-off events and give everyone an opportunity to try something different.”

Harpreet Virdi (right) mingles with attendees at the Rang De event at the Gourmet Emporium in, March 5. (PHOTO/Mark Brown)