Raj S. Rangarajan
NEW YORK: Move over Oscars and Golden Globes, its now time for Desi Club Awards in New York.
The Event: SAMA 2005 South Asian Media Awards – organized by DesiClub.com and Intense Management.
Purpose: To recognise outstanding individuals or organizations in the South Asian community for their contribution, talent, performing ability and professionalism.
Location: Miller Theater at Columbia University, Manhattan, NY. Awardees were chosen by online voting somewhat similar to Fox’s American Idol program on mainstream television.
Performer Tina Sugandh
Saroosh Gull, CEO of DesiClub.com described the club as the South Asian Media Source: the gathering point for millions of South Asians interested in music, bollywood, parties and the community. Co-organizer, Aash Shravah CEO of Intense Management is responsible for marketing and management. Gull says, “the club hopes to “continuously push the envelope past preconceived notions the South Asian community has of its available opportunities.”
Performer Raghav
In Hollywood-style, a real red carpet adorned the floor and television cameras including MTV and paparazzi were seen jostling for attention with desi celebrities. Acceptance speeches were part of the deal as also a Pre-Party and an After Party for all attendees at Viscaya Lounge in Chelsea, which were well-patronized by the younger set as evidenced from the images on the club’s web site.
It was an evening of scintillating performances by bhangra specialist Bikram Singh and Ontario’s RnB singer Sumeet, reverberating moves by Detroit’s Hip Hop kingpin Kidd Skilly and company, and resonating sounds from singer and tabla expert Tina Sugandh. On occasion the 400-plus crowd cheered lustily and sometimes without reason. While subtle and humorous emcees suave Shiv Vydyula and Ashiq Abbas need to forge their entertaining skills on the anvil of practice.
Ninety nominees vied for awards in twenty categories. Among unusual categories were DJ of the Year (Rekha), Recognition in Theater or production (Geeta Citigirl), Favorite Radio Personality (Ashish Patel of NiteLifeRadio) and South Asian Lifestyle Magazine of the Year (Anokhi Vibe).
Sheetal Sheth (American Desi)
As expected Kal Penn bagged the Best Actor award and Mira Nair was Outstanding Director. Shetal Shah was named Best Actress for Arya, playing a villain in an innovative psychological thriller written/directed by Manan Singh Katohora and produced by Tirlok Malik, founder of the NRI TV Film Club that debuted last December.
Photo: Kamal Dandona and Saroosh Gull
Hotel owner Vikram Chatwal was named Entrepreneur of the Year; oldest newspaper in North America Indian Abroad won as Outstanding News Publication; Hari Sreenivasan, anchor, ABC News Now was named Noteworthy Journalist. Anand Jon was also a shoo-in for Favorite Fashion Designer and Best Model of the Year was Saira Mohan.
Congressman Bobby Jindal from Louisiana won for Outstanding political leadership; Canadian Russell Peters (of Indian origin) was voted Favorite South Asian Comedian. Aashna Patel, who also sang the American national anthem was Favorite Television Personality and, Raghav, the current rave among desis, won as Outstanding Contemporary Artist who also performed. Raghav said, “sometimes, we have to be recognised by the mainstream media before one’s own community does. This time it was different.”
The nominating committee that finalized the votes comprised accomplished folk in the performing arts and fine arts, film directors, journalism, and alternative media. The whole process was supervised by a CPA.
[Raj S. Rangarajan is a New York based freelance writer. He covers trend stories on art, travel and lifestyles and reviews books, films and plays for media based in New York, California, Toronto, India and Australia.]
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