Page 26 - The Indian EYE 012326

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 23, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

First-Ever Bhajan Clubbing Night Draws

Over 400 Devotees in New Jersey

OUR BUREAU
Fords, NJ

n a first-of-its-kind cultural and
spiritual celebration in the Unit-
Ied States, more than 400 devo-
tees gathered in New Jersey for the
country’s inaugural Bhajan Clubbing
Night, blending devotional music with
a contemporary, high-energy format.
The three-hour musical extravaganza
was held on January 9 at the Royal Al-
bert’s Palace in Fords, coinciding with
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.
The event was organized by
Jyotsna Sharma and Tarun Sharma,
co-founders of Cultivate Talents Un-
limited LLC, an NJ-based women mi-
nority business enterprise, in associa-
tion with the World Peace and Health
Foundation (WPHF), a non-profit led
by founder trustees Neeraj Bhagat
and Pramod Bhagat.
Inspired by the growing “bhajan
clubbing” trend among Gen Z audi-
ences in Indian metropolitan cities,
Jyotsna Sharma conceptualized the
event after conducting a social me-
dia survey that showed strong inter-
est among Indian Americans aged 15
to 65. The response translated into a
packed hall, with attendees ranging in
age from 15 to 75 participating enthu-
siastically.
Held in the newly built Crystal
Hall of the Royal Albert’s Palace—
known for its prominent statue of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel—the venue
was filled to capacity as devotees sang,
danced, chanted, and swayed to devo- attended by community leaders, spon- Rishu, whose performances added
tional music late into the evening. The sors, and cultural figures, underscor- depth and energy to the devotional
audience was served a three-course ing the blend of tradition and modern sets. The youngest performer of the
vegetarian dinner and chai, adding to presentation that defined the evening. evening, Aurelia Vibhaw Bhardwaj,
the community-centric atmosphere. The artistic direction of the event won applause for her manjheera per-
The musical programme fea- was led by local tri-state talent. Deep- formance.
tured 15-star singers and musicians ak Puri and Payel Das served as music Organisers Jyotsna and Tarun
from the Cultivate Talents Unlimited Diya Patel, Padma Shri awardee and directors and mentors, creating the Sharma expressed gratitude to attend-
platform, selected through a tri-state TV Asia Chairman Dr. H.R. Shah, musical framework on keyboard and ees, dignitaries, sponsors, and grand
talent hunt. A special all-American Woodbridge Township Councilman harmonium. Vandana Puri managed sponsors Anu and Surinder Kumar of
ensemble led by Kevin Kalpa Virksha Veeru Patel, Edison Councilman Bi- the chorus and stage direction, while Suhag Jewelers, crediting their sup-
and Pandit Krishna Das Sharma cap- ral Patel, representatives from the lead singers Aparna Oak and Nidhi port for making the historic event a
tivated the audience with renditions of office of New Jersey State Senator Mishra coordinated vocal teams. success. Many participants described
the Hanuman Chalisa and devotional Raj Mukherjee, Royal Albert’s Palace Other singers included Rajeev Shar- the evening as uplifting, energetic,
chants dedicated to Lord Shiva and owner Albert Jasani, Anil Sharma, ma, Anchal Sinha, Vibhu Srivastava, and spiritually immersive.
Radha-Krishna. CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, Vaneeta Tikkoo, Vibha Alaigh, Dim- Buoyed by the overwhelming
Among the notable dignitaries and Pandit Devender Shukla of the ple Gupta, Srini, and Aarti Gupta. response, the organisers announced
in attendance were IFS Pragya Singh Hindu Samaj Temple, Parsippany. Instrumental accompaniment plans to expand Bhajan Clubbing
from the Indian Consulate in New A traditional lamp-lighting cere- was provided by Anil Sachdeva, Nights to other states across the U.S.,
York, Parsippany Councilwoman mony marked the formal inauguration, Hemant Sharma, Monty Lalani, and with future dates to be announced soon.

www.TheIndianEYE.com