The night was young on December 19 as the grounds of Hyatt Regency Kolkata were royally lit up for the Young Indians Kolkata Annual Night.
“Riyasat. The name itself defines grandeur. The event was a complete team effort with more than 100 members getting together to deliver this to the chapter. The members, the music, the dance performances and Nikhita Gandhi performing live was super entertaining. The chapter felicitated and awarded the champions who defined the year,” said Arpit Dhandhania, outgoing chair of YI.
“I’m privileged and humbled to be a part of this organisation and leading a group of co-peers who are all leaders on their own. The theme for 2022, is ‘Dream. Believe and Magic. It’s a promise that in the next year that we can and we will,” added the incoming chair of YI, Vaibhav Soni proudly.
The event was fun and truly a night to remember. Bringing together traditions, the chapter’s annual night celebrated a grand transition marked by fine food, drinks, dance and a ravishing performance by Nikhita Gandhi and DJ Akash Rohira. Snapshots…
Royal and graceful are two of the most fitting words that echoed the vibe of the night. Coming together for traditional folk dance, this troupe of dancers left everybody mesmerised by their performance.
The women of YI left heads turning with their energetic dance performance that brightened up the night.
Deepam Jain and Saloni Jain were a matching pair at the feast. Inspired by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Jodhaa Akbar, Saloni turned up in a wonderfully embellished lehnga paired with an ornate drape from Anamika Khanna coupled with heavy traditional polki jewellery. “Our inspirations could come from Jodhaa, Padmavati or even Mastani,” said she.
Adding to the evening was none other than Calcutta’s star Nikhita Gandhi who had the crowd vibing to the tunes of Raabta, Tu meri, and the new earworm Jugnu. “It’s an event that’s very close to home because there are so many familiar faces. It’s my first time at a Young Indians event. I’m excited to be here because they do a lot of good work and I’m excited to make them all dance,” Nikhita told t2.
Looking straight out of a set, we could not take our eyes off Deepshika Bhiwaniwala who brought to life the much-loved Jodhaa through her ornate red and green lehnga and detailed jewellery. “I wanted to look like Jhodaa and well, I hope I look like her,” said the lady who co-owns Watteffects.
We spotted Tavishi Kanoria, owner of Citrine and curator of the lookbook for the event, in a purple and gold lehnga that oozed out royalty. The aim was to look like the Indian princess Jasmine and she pulled it off! “I wanted to do something that would pay homage to not only the royalty of India and its heritage but also who I am as a person.”
From servings of goat cheese ravioli to tempura sushi, dim sums and truffle mushroom pates, one was left nibbling. The Riyasat-themed, flavourful cocktails by Venus Liquor Store kept pouring, adding to the spirit of the night.
