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NORTH AMERICAN NEWSLINE OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 30

Thousands Gather in Times Square

for two Spectacular performances for

Durga Utsav Celebrations

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
umit Roy (from Kolkata) & Band and Rimli
Roy & Surati captivate audiences with mu-
Ssic, dance, and storytelling at Father Duffy
Square on Thursday October 2nd.
The Times Square Durga Utsav Association
brought the vibrancy of Indian culture to the cross-
roads of the world with a spectacular Durga Utsav
celebration held on October 2, 2025 at Father
Duffy Square, Times Square. The event drew an
enthusiastic and diverse crowd, uniting communi-
ties through music, dance, and storytelling in hon-
or of the Goddess Durga, on the auspicious occa-
sion of Durga Puja and Navratri.
The peak evening time opened with a rous-
ing performance by Sumit Roy & Band, with the
Kolkata-based singer, composer, and musician
enthralling audiences through his unique and
original songs - Agomoni, Bangla Folk, Pop and
Fusion compositions. Accompanied by Sonia on
vocals, Jay (JB) on guitar and vocals, Sudeip on Mr. Sumit Roy, Ms. Roy’s father, was not only
guitar, Devraj on bass, Danny on drums, and an inspiration but also a creative collaborator. He
Reinaldo on percussion, the band set the stage composed original music for Ramaavan – A Musi-
alight with a blend of tradition and modernity. cal, Surati’s acclaimed Broadway-style production.
The crowd burst out with applause when Roy This music was also performed at Times Square
performed his several times gone viral song “Hil- Durga Utsav 2025, symbolizing the powerful in-
sa Fish”. The set opened with Sonia singing the tergenerational connection that lies at the heart of
opening song - Sumit Roy’s original Agomoni Surati’s work.
song heralding the Goddess followed by a unique Through a fusion of Indian classical, folk, and
“Charkha” folk song (Spinning wheel). At one contemporary dance with Western theatrical ele-
point, Roy came down from the stage to join the ments, Surati’s ensemble brought mythology to life
audience member who had gathered around the in the heart of Times Square. With choreography
stage to dance to the rhythmic music. by Rimli Roy and narration by Priyanjali Sen, the
This was followed by a special performance cast — including Paulina Yeung (performer from
of “Okal Bodhon” by Rimli Roy & Surati for Per- Broadway’s King & I), Harsha Harikumar, Jona-
forming Arts, featuring excerpts from the original than Power, Madison Halla, Kijana Lewis, Vidhya
off-Broadway production Ramaavan – A Musical. Dinesh, Reba Browne, and Rimli Roy — trans-
Rooted in the story of Lord Rama’s invocation formed the public square into a space of storytelling,
of Goddess Durga before his battle with Ravana, artistry, and reverence. The crowd was particularly
Okal Bodhon (meaning “untimely invocation”) is mesmerized by Paulina Yeung’s operatic rendition
a symbolic ritual that gave rise to the autumn cel- of Handel’s Lascia Ch’io Pianga accompanied by
ebration of Durga Puja. Performed during Durga dancers Harsha Harikumar and Kijana Lewis.
Puja and Navratri, this dance-theatre piece fol- “Times Square became a canvas for cul-
lowed Rajesh Roy’s newest musical theater com- tural exchange and artistic excellence,” said
position of Ramaavan - A Musical performed by Rimli Roy, Founder & Artistic Director of Su-
Jonathan Power who played Ram, highlighted the rati. “It was inspiring to share Okal Bodhon NY and NYC since 2018, and even toured cities in
universal themes of courage, righteousness, and on the occasion of Durga Puja and Navratri India with seven U.S artists who collaborated with
devotion that lay the foundation for the festival to — moments that remind us of the enduring artists from India invited by the Govt of India.
be celebrated at this time of the year. power of art, storytelling, and community.” The program was made possible through the
Surati for Performing Arts holds a deeply per- Ramaavan-A Musical is an original produc- support of Times Square Durga Utsav Associa-
sonal legacy in its very name. The organization was tion based on the Indian epic the Ramayana that tion, ConnX SmartMS, Scient Enterprise AI, AVP
named after the parents of Founder & Artistic Direc- unravels the story of Diwali. Conceived, created Global and Surati’s generous donors and support-
tor Ms. Rimli Roy — Mr. Sumit Roy and Mrs. Arati and directed By Rimli Roy, with original music by ers, and highlighted the collaborative power of
Roy. Their vision, encouragement, and love for the Sumit Roy and Rajesh Roy, lyrics, verses and dia- community, art, and tradition in one of the world’s
arts continue to inspire Ms. Roy’s creative journey. logues by Arati Roy, the musical has been staged in most iconic public spaces.

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