ISW Harvest Festival 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Culture and Talent

By Smita Manjarekar

The Harvest Festival has long been a time of thanksgiving, reflection, and gratitude, marking the conclusion of the harvest season. This tradition was honored at the ISW Harvest Festival 2025, held on February 8th, as the first cultural event of the year organized by India Society of Worcester (ISW). The event showcased remarkable talent, dedication, and a strong sense of community.

Hosted at St. John’s Auditorium, the festival was meticulously planned and successfully executed. Despite an oncoming snowstorm, the event witnessed an impressive turnout, demonstrating the unwavering enthusiasm of the community.

New Additions and Cultural Performances

This year, the festival introduced a singing competition, providing aspiring vocalists with a platform to showcase their talents. The enthusiasm surrounding this new segment suggests it will become a staple in future events.

The cultural performances by children and junior adults captivated the audience, leaving a lasting impression with their energy, creativity, and dedication.

Vendor Stalls and Community Engagement

The event also featured a diverse array of vendor stalls, including a display of Mughal-era weaponry, financial planning services, outreach efforts for a clinical study on cardiovascular risks among South Asians, and last but not the least delicious Indian food and tea.

Acknowledging the Judges and Volunteers

ISW extends its sincere gratitude to the esteemed judges—Mansi Patki, Shailesh Salgar, Neha Singh, and Shrinivass AB—for their expertise and insights, which added immense value to the competitions.

Congratulations to Our Winners! 

Dance Competition Winners:

Age 8-12:

Arya’s Little Masters – Shubham Mishra

Radha Krishna Dance – Jasmine Shah

Funky Fusion – Sheetal Kochavara

Age 13-17:

Arya’s Groove Express – Shubham Mishra

Kharvo Khalasi Fisher Men – Jasmine Shah

Sleeping Beauty: A Bollywood Musical – Ekta Jain

Age 18+:

Devotion Meets Tradition – Ekta Jain

Harvest Hues – Harika Samudrala

Naari Shakti – Padmini Dey

Singing Competition Winners! 

Sachin and Suhana Shah

Kiran Mahi and Rashmi

Anju Shukla and Shipra Gupta

ISW extends its appreciation to all participants for their passion and dedication, which were evident in every performance. A special thanks also goes to the dedicated ISW volunteers, whose hard work and commitment made this event possible.

For more information about ISW’s initiatives, upcoming events, and membership, please visit https://iswonline.org/

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