HOUSTON: Masala Radio’s 13th Annual Houston Diwali Fest 2025 filled hearts young and old with light. In a changing world of work from home isolation, this free community celebration of Diwali welcomed all to meet & mingle under the stars with live music & dance entertainment, Indian vegetarian street foods, bazaar, free giveaways, generous kids play area, and traditional fuljari sparklers. Upper Kirby’s Levy Park came alive with light balls, festival lights, and strings of genda phool (marigolds), lanterns, colorful zari drapes & neon signs wishing all Happy Diwali. “It felt like walking into a dream — lights, laughter, music, and that unmistakable Diwali energy. For a few hours, it was like being back home in India, right here in Houston.” said Nikita Khambe.
This ancient festival of Good conquers Evil was made free to the public thanks to the generosity of over 80 sponsors, led by title sponsors Santhosh Cividi of Majestic Developers, Arshad Ramji of Ramji Law Group, and laser & concert sponsor Amir Dodiya of Wealth Preservation Strategies. Fireworks were sponsored by Top Dog Fireworks in celebration of the five-year extension permitting firework sales in Fort Bend & Harris Counties.
As the featured artist Ashwariya Pandit was denied entry into the US at last minute, Masala Radio arranged a medley of US based live musicians and singers: Rashmi, Payal, Kashmira, Amardeep and Heera & Neha who rocked the stage with decades of the most popular Bollywood hits in chorus. Just before the jam session, Arunita Kanjilal from the Pritam a Musical Tour made a surprise guest appearance with some of her popular songs from Indian Idol.
The highlight of stage entertainment was the Arius Laser Show, two lit up dancers “playing” with laser lights, seemingly bending them at will, and even emitting lasers from their hands. The dancers said “Houston was one of our best audiences – so warm and callping throughout!” Karthik of OBU creations present the first fashion show romanticizing the change of fashions from ancient to present times. Zakia directed the second enchanting fashion show featuring the couture collection of Veenu Gabba in a Rainy Diwali theme with dreamy decorated umbrellas and hues of water.
The stage was bedazzled with lights, fog and screens enhancing top local dance productions in order of appearance: Sandya Dance Studio, Synergy Indian Dance, Dhadak School of Performing Arts, Bollywood Beats, Let’s Bollywood, Dil Se Dance Company, Desi Beats, Katy Bollywood Beats Dance Academy, Kathak Nritya Kala Kendra, Chilanka Dance School, Etherea Studios, Aditi’s Bollywood Dance Sensation, Naach Houston, Houston Bhangra Academy.
Once again, the astute Amitabh Bachchan played Kaun Banega Rastrapathi with Narendra Modi and Donald Trump in a hilarious nonsensical comedy show. Fashions, jewelry and henna filled the brimming Bazaar featuring: Anjum Henna, House of Zari, Henna by Anju, Pitara, Elegant Jewery, Toys Unlimited, Kirrenlisha Boutique, Munch Craft, Handicraft Heaven, Sachi Jewels, Clutchcity Clutches, Universal Meditation Center, Deepa Beauty, Rani Ruche, Aditam Essetials, Styled by Aysha, VR Art Galleries, Mirzaan Jewelry, Desi Inspire Collection, Veera and Toys, Sai Collections.
Décor featured an Instagram-able entrance display of a nostalgic collections 80s, 90s & early 2000s CDs, neon Happy Diwali Signs, and and a strew of Masala vehicles including Mumbai Rikshaw, Mumbai Patrol Maruti, 98.7 FM Hummer, Sholay Motorcycle, and open aired Rikshaws from Auto Wallah. Deco Arts created a grand Ganesh round mandap inner entrance and the backstage featured lit up royal red tents; indeed, festival string lights graced every corner of the park.
The most densely packed area had to be the Street Foods Festival. Honest Indian Restaurant moved in lighting speed feeding a record crowd with their famous Pav Bhaji & Bahulbali Paneer sandwiches. They also served the VIP Lounge backstage with lie Pani Puri’s / Paneer Wraps / Fresh Lime & Watermelon Coolers. Madhuram Mirch Masala served varieties of chat custom made on the spot. Owner Chirag said “I am the first one to book a booth at the Houston Diwali festival every year, but this year we were sold out with the longest lines we have ever seen.” Jay Bhavani lit tongues on fire with their Surti spicy Vada Pavs and grilled snacks. Desi District’s live pani puri filled with warm Mumbai style ragada, and even live sugar cane juice. Deepti quoted “ We had an hour-long line that just seem never ending – it was a phenomenal success”.
Masala Radio was overwhelmed with the love expressed for Levy Park – a new home for this magnificent Houston Diwali Fest. Sandhya Thakkar said “We saw a wonderful mix of younger families—people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—celebrating together, along with diverse couples and families. The crowd reflected a beautiful blend of South Asian and mainstream communities, all coming together to celebrate the festival of lights.”
Masala Radio’s Sunil & Sandhya Thakkar would like to thank its incredible Crazy Masala Crew without whom the event wouldn’t have achieved its radiant success. Office: Rinku, Jigisha, Suji, Nilesha, Aahil, Vyoma, Vidya, Benaifer. Festival: Badal, Ruchir, Sahil, Santhosh, Rishita, Bharadwaj, Parnita, Drumi. Stage: Dilip, Preanka, Vinay, Rajoo, Nikhil, Sandeep. and the yearlong Radio Jockeys: Dilip, Ina, Swati, Anees, Amit, Kiran, Shweta, Grishma & Trisha. Photos & Video by SMB Photo. . More amazing pictures on FB / IG HoustonDiwali & MasalaRadio98.7FM & houstondiwali.com.
