Rina Shah

Get to Know: Ranjana Warier Indian Classical Dancer and Choreographer By Rina Shah, The Arpan Group Ranjana Warier Rhythms School of Dance The sound of ghunghroos ringing, feet stomping, and tabla beating have been deeply ingrained in Ranjana Warier’s daily routine since she was six years old. Born in Thirunavaya, a small village situated on the northern bank of the …

DJ Play That Song: Choosing an Entertainment Vendor for Your Wedding By Rina Shah, The Arpan Group Factors to Consider Selecting an entertainment provider for your wedding or events is much like choosing a venue or caterer. Price is certainly a factor, but so are the firm’s reputation, work ethics, and music selection. Firoz Dudha, owner/DJ of Dudha Productions also …

Get to Know: Rajesh Bhandari, Musician By Rina Shah, The Arpan Group Rajesh Bhandari first discovered the lyrical beauty of Indian classical music at a young age on a trip to Delhi, India. Bhandari and his father returned to the United States along with a harmonium and tabla beginning the young percussionist’s musical journey. Born in Queens, New York, Bhandari …

Get to Know: Mona Ahuja, Children’s Book Author By Rina Shah, The Arpan Group As a young child, Mona Ahuja listened to her mom tell magical stories about the Moon. Through those tales, Ahuja began to understand the importance of the Moon in Indian culture and folklore, an understanding she has since passed along to her three boys. Her love …

Indians and Indian Americans have long been known for their success across a wide range of fields in the United States. Amruta Houde and Niraj Antani are two young Indian Americans making a mark and paving the way for others to join them in their quest to serve and positively impact their community. Learn more about what drives these impressive …

Get to Know: Niraj Antani, Ohio State Representative By Rina Shah, The Arpan Group   At the age of 23, Niraj Antani became the youngest serving member in the Ohio House of Representatives. Born and raised in Miami Township, Ohio, Antani remained in state and earned a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. Now 25, Antani (R – Ohio …

By Rina Shah, The Arpan Group That moment where the silver lining on the wedding planning cloud has finally arrived – the “design wedding cake” item on your wedding-to-do list! The venue has been selected, and contracts have been signed. You have met with every wedding vendor possible from photographers to wedding planners and décor professionals to hair and makeup …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group While studying the human impact of coral reef ecosystems in Cairns, Australia, during her undergraduate years at Virginia Tech University, entrepreneur and environmentalist Shilpi Chhotray discovered a newfound respect for the integral role played by the oceans in the overall well-being of our environment. An East Coast native, Shilpi earned a Master of …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Five years ago, clinical psychologist Scott Haas began interviewing Indian Americans and Indians living in the United States. Raised in both an immigrant family and a heavily immigrant community in Plainfield, New Jersey, Haas has a clear understanding of the challenges faced by individuals seeking both opportunity and the desire to assimilate in …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group For South Asians, weddings are just as much about celebrating a couple’s nuptials as about the festive food! Chances are guests may not remember intricate details from a wedding, but they will certainly recall memorable dishes and delectable desserts. One to five or more events comprise a typical South Asian Wedding, and food …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Crystal blue waters crashing down on a pristine white beach, while a gentle breeze ruffles through the palm trees. An elegantly draped mandap glistens in the sunshine, while an intimate crowd eagerly watches two people embark on the journey of a lifetime. Sounds like a wedding in paradise, doesn’t it? Destination weddings and …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Congratulations to the Booth Decor competition winner fromthe September 2015 Orlando MyShadi Bridal Expo – Nikun Events Company! Born and raised in East Africa, Pinky Patel studied in England before moving to the United States where she spent over 20 years in an IT career. Realizing her passion lies elsewhere, Pinky began making …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Let’s Celebrate Diwali Written by Anjali Joshi and Illustrated by Tim Palin Review by Rina Shah, The Arpan Group The need for diversity in literature, particularly children’s literature, is evident in bookstores and libraries around the country. Non-white protagonists are pointedly absent from books read by school-aged children, which is a stark contrast …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Freelance artist Nidhi Chanani has drawn over 700 illustrations, earning admiration and accolades for her whimsical and endearing portrayals of everyday life. Born in Calcutta and raised in Southern California, Chanani’s experiences both as an Indian American and a woman inspire the moments captured in her illustrations as well as her upcoming graphic …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Funding Your Family’s Future: A Guide to Choosing the Right Financial Planner Financial advisors aren’t just for millionaires. Individuals of all ages and circumstances can benefit from the guidance a financial advisor offers. Recent college graduates have different financial goals than couples in their 40s. A newly married couple may be interested in …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Internationally recognized makeup artist and skin care consultant Karuna Chani is known for her ability to blend eastern elements with western beauty trends. Born and raised in New York City, Chani graduated from Parsons School of Design, and later attended the Makeup Forever Academy in Paris, France. During her internships and post-graduate work, …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Let’s Celebrate Diwali Written by Anjali Joshi and Illustrated by Tim Palin Review by Rina Shah, The Arpan Group The need for diversity in literature, particularly children’s literature, is evident in bookstores and libraries around the country. Non-white protagonists are pointedly absent from books read by school-aged children, which is a stark contrast …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group From lavish designs and bold colors to pastel florals and subtle centerpieces, weddings can be the ultimate expression of a couple’s personality. Through intricately designed mandaps, lush, fragrant florals, and creative use of color, couples can personalize nearly every aspect of their wedding decorations. While the type of venue and the choice of …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group Once a couple is engaged, along with the many congratulations and best wishes from family and friends, comes the inevitable onslaught of questions. When is the big day? Have you picked a place yet? Where you choose to host your wedding will likely be one of the most difficult decisions during the planning …

Author by Rina Shah The Arpan Group The novelty of being engaged has worn off and reality hits with full force. There’s a wedding to plan! The entire process can be challenging – from compromising on style to managing the many opinions of all involved. With ample information available online via popular websites such as The Knot, MyShadi, Desh-Videsh, and …