Folklorama’s India Pavilion: A Spectacular Celebration of Colour, Dance, and Culture

By: Donovan Martin Sr, Editor in Chief

There’s a certain kind of magic when a show begins and ends before you even realize it’s started. That’s what the India Pavilion at Folklorama felt like this year — a blur of music, colour, and joy that left you wondering how forty-five minutes could pass so quickly. Every single show has been packed to the rafters, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the kind of performance where you don’t check the time, you just lose yourself in it. The only thing you wish at the end is that it went on a little longer.

From the very first number to the last bow, there wasn’t a single dull moment. The cultural attire alone was breathtaking — rich silks, sparkling embroidery, bright turbans, and saris in every shade imaginable. Every twirl and step from the dancers seemed to splash another burst of colour into the air. And knowing these were all homegrown performers from Winnipeg’s own Indian dance schools made it even more special. It was local talent at its finest, brought together by more than 150 volunteers representing 43 different groups. That kind of dedication is almost hard to wrap your head around.

And then there’s the hospitality. Oh my gosh — it’s Folklorama-level hospitality, which is saying a lot. The second you walk through the doors, someone is smiling at you like they’ve been waiting for you all year. From the president of the India Association of Manitoba, to the pavilion coordinator, to the youth ambassadors and the volunteers — everyone makes you feel like you belong there. You’re not just attending a show; you’re part of a celebration.

The cultural display was another highlight. It’s fascinating to see how two provinces in India, sitting right next to each other, can be so completely different — different languages, different food, different clothing, even different dialects. It’s the kind of thing you don’t fully appreciate until you see it side by side. And the food… where do you even start? Butter chicken that melts in your mouth, naan bread straight from the oven, mango smoothies that taste like sunshine. It’s food that hugs your soul.

Daljit Kainth, the pavilion coordinator and past president, has been at the heart of this for more than a decade, taking on just about every role there is since 2012. You could see his fingerprints on every detail of the show. He summed it up perfectly: “Folklorama is our chance to bring the heart of India to Winnipeg. Every song, every dance, every flavour is a piece of home we get to share.”

Youth ambassador Leher Kumar was another standout — warm, knowledgeable, and just so proud to share her culture. She greeted people like old friends and had a way of making everyone feel welcome, whether they’d been to a hundred Folklorama pavilions or were stepping into one for the first time.

Then there’s Kamlesh Sharma, president of both the India Association of Manitoba and the pavilion itself. Honestly, her resume reads like three people’s lives rolled into one. Two master’s degrees, decades of journalism in India and Canada, and running two of Manitoba’s most prominent news publications — Punjab Today, which has been going strong for 15 years, and India Today, launched just last year — with her husband, Suresh. On top of all that, she’s leading one of Folklorama’s largest pavilions. “This isn’t just an event,” she told me. “It’s a love letter to our culture, to our city, and to the next generation who will carry it forward.”

Her daughter, Ridhima Sharma, was also a youth ambassador this year, and she was every bit as impressive. She’s been involved with the pavilion since she was little — dancing, volunteering, doing whatever needed to be done. This year was her big hosting debut, and she spoke about how much it meant to her that her father took two weeks off work to be there every step of the way. “It’s a lot of work,” she said with a smile, “but it’s worth every second when you see people’s faces light up. I’m proud of my community, and I’m thankful to my parents for showing me what it means to give back.”

Suresh Sharma isn’t just a business owner and publisher; he’s a dad who puts his family at the centre of everything. “Supporting my daughter and our pavilion is not a duty — it’s an honour,” he said. “This is a family affair, and Folklorama is part of our family’s life.” Last year, their son served as youth ambassador too, making it clear the Sharmas see this festival not just as an event, but as part of their identity.

And maybe the best way to sum it all up came from environmental activist, author, and columnist Don Woodstock, who said, “If there was any doubt why Folklorama is the best cultural festival in the world, just look at what happens in these pavilions. It’s all here — culture, pride, and people coming together.”

Here’s the thing — there are only two days left. If you haven’t been to the India Pavilion yet, you need to go. If you have been, go again. Take your friends, take your family, take someone who’s never been to Folklorama before. The shows are electric, the food is divine, the hospitality is unmatched, and the pride in the air is something you can feel in your bones. And while you’re at it, check out as many other pavilions as you can — there’s no other time of year when you can travel the world in your own city.

This isn’t just another show on the calendar. It’s a piece of culture, a piece of history, and a whole lot of heart. And once it’s over, you’ll be wishing it lasted just a little bit longer.