The event pays tribute to the accomplishments of people of South Asian descent. May is choc-a-block with celebrations and festivities.
TORONTO: On December 14, 2001, the Government of Ontario proclaimed the month of May as South Asian Heritage Month presenting an opportunity for the people of Ontario to learn more about the contributions, rich culture and traditions South Asians bring to the province.
Like previous years, May is a month, is choc-a-block with celebrations and festivities by South Asian artistes, performers and entertainers. This year, however, besides a line-up of music concerts, dance recitals, Bollywood fusion, fashion shows and more — is an added flavour. It’s for the first time that Ontario’s city of Mississauga is joining in the festivities in a big way and hosting a festival of its own entitled ‘Mosaic.’
South Asians constitute the largest visible minority in this suburban city and Mosaic pays tribute to Canadians originating from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and other Indo-Caribbean countries. “South Asian Heritage Month is a time to pay tribute to the accomplishments of people of South Asian descent and the members of the South Asian community who continue to contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of the province of Ontario. Mississauga, a city full of South Asian talent, is launching its unique Mosaic Festival this year and we hope its popularity will make it an annual event thereafter,” says Asma Arshad Mahmood, Mosaic Festival Director.
The event has been put together by the Canadian Community Arts Initiative, a not-for-profit corporation, whose vision is to become an eminent member of the Canadian artist’s community through its commitment to excellence and its strong belief in the value of arts in the Canadian community. “Mosaic aims to be the largest South Asian outdoor multidisciplinary arts festival of the year for Mississauga and hopes to enjoy an audience of 15,000-20,000 people a day,” adds Mahmood.
Besides having a vivid display of exotic South Asian merchandise including clothing, jewellry, arts and crafts — it also hosts a South Asian Food Festival presenting culinary delights from different South Asian countries and almost 40 performances showcasing dancers, musicians, singers and more. Local musicians and contemporary bands will take centre stage, presenting “Rock the Coliseum,” a concert for youth. The Mississauga Central Library will host a literary seminar of prominent writers and free arts and crafts workshops include painting, cartooning, craft making, face painting and many more activities for children between the ages of two and sixty-two.
The highlight of the festival is music concerts by renowned Canadian artistes Kiran Ahluwalia (vocal), Lata Pada (dance) and Sohail Rana (music) at Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre on May 21 and 22. Besides these, the impressive line-up of artistes include: Dancer and choreographer Lata Pada and Sampradaya Dance School; Anwar Khurshid and Sitar School of Toronto’ Qawal Shahid Ali Khan, nephew of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Shiamak’s Indo Jazz Dance Movement.
The festival launched with a unique multi-media visual arts exhibition entitled, “Into, Out and Away,” and promises to be just a trailer of what’s in store for the remainder of the month.
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