Diwali, also called “The Festival of Light,” is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Hindus
throughout India as well as in Indian communities across the globe including right here in Chicago. Before Diwali night, people clean and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit and that was represented Saturday night as guests turned out to the Art Institute of Chicago in gorgeous Sarees and Kurtas.
Douglas Druick, the President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago, along with gala co-chairs Barbara Levy Kipper, Anu and Arjun Aggarwal, Nalini and Ravi Saligram welcomed over 200 guests to the Art Institute of Chicago’s fourth annual Diwali Durbar celebration Saturday night Oct. 18.
The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival.
Some of Chicago’s top philanthropic and corporate leaders including the Efroymson Family Foundation’s Adnaan Hamid and Elissa Hamid Efroymson, Dr. Prabha and Anita Sinha, Vimal and Dr. Bulbul Bahuguna, were some of the guests that got the evening started at Terzo Piano noshing on appetizers and specialty cocktails made by nationally acclaimed mixologist Adam Seger.
Non-indian guests in attendance also got in the spirit of the celebration by donning their best and embellished Churidaar Kurta and Ghagra Choli’s.
Guests were then ushered down to the Modern Wing for the three course dinner curated by an emmy award winning chef with remarks from Douglas Druick and co-chair Nalini Saligram thanking guests and sponsors for their support and generous contribution.
The event’s host committee were Anita and Prabha Sinha-The Art institute’s first Asian-American trustee; Ritu and Gautam Dhingra-CEO of High Pointe Capital Management; Janet and Richard Horwood-of Horwood Marcus & Berk; Charles H. and Kathleen Harper and other guests in attendance included
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The desert, which was an indian influenced Mango Cardamom cheesecake with pistachio crust, was a solid 10! Followed by bollywood inspired performance choreographed by Harrison McEldowney featuring dancers from Chicago dance groups, though would’ve loved to see an addition of the Northwestern University’s Hindi dance team too.
Guests were then led to the dance floor to work off the sumptuous meal and wine while dancing to sounds from the DJ.
All proceeds from the celebration will support the museum’s distinguished Indian program
Diwali is observed throughout India as well as in Indian communities as people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival of Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.
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Photos: Onasis Odelmo/SociaLifeChicago; Art Institute of Chicago
