On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja and Navratri, the Times Square Durga Utsav Association hosted its annual Durga Utsav celebration on October 2, 2025, at Father Duffy Square, in New York, bringing together a diverse audience in a spectacular tribute to Goddess Durga through music, dance, and storytelling.

The event commenced with a dynamic performance by Sumit Roy & Band, with the Kolkata-based singer, composer, and musician captivating the crowd with his distinctive blend of Agomoni, Bangla folk, pop, and fusion compositions. Accompanied by Sonia on vocals, Jay (JB) on guitar and vocals, Sudeip on guitar, Devraj on bass, Danny on drums, and Reinaldo on percussion, the band delivered a powerful fusion of traditional sounds and contemporary rhythm, stated a press release. 

Audience enthusiasm reached a high point when Roy performed his viral hit, “Hilsa Fish.” The performance opened with Sonia’s rendition of Roy’s original Agomoni song, welcoming the Goddess, followed by a unique folk piece titled “Charkha” (Spinning Wheel). At one point, Roy stepped off the stage to join audience members dancing joyfully to the infectious beats, creating a moment of shared celebration.

The musical segment was followed by a moving presentation of “Okal Bodhon” by Rimli Roy & Surati for Performing Arts, featuring excerpts from the acclaimed off-Broadway production Ramaavan – A Musical. Rooted in the legend of Lord Rama invoking Goddess Durga before his battle with Ravana, Okal Bodhon — meaning “untimely invocation” — symbolizes the origins of the autumnal Durga Puja festivities.

Performed during Durga Puja and Navratri, the dance-theatre sequence followed Rajesh Roy’s latest musical composition from Ramaavan – A Musical, featuring Jonathan Power as Ram. The piece explored timeless themes of courage, righteousness, and devotion that define the spirit of the festival.

“Surati for Performing Arts holds a deeply personal legacy in its very name. The organization was named after the parents of Founder & Artistic Director Rimli Roy — Sumit Roy and Arati Roy. Their vision, encouragement, and love for the arts continue to inspire Roy’s creative journey,” the statement noted.

Sumit Roy, Rimli’s father, was not only an inspiration but also a creative collaborator. He composed original music for Ramaavan – A Musical, Surati’s Broadway-style production. This music was performed once again at Times Square Durga Utsav 2025, symbolizing the intergenerational artistic connection central to Surati’s work.

Blending Indian classical, folk, and contemporary dance with Western theatrical elements, Surati’s ensemble transformed Times Square into a stage of cultural storytelling. With choreography by Rimli Roy and narration by Priyanjali Sen, the performance featured Paulina Yeung (of Broadway’s The King and I), Harsha Harikumar, Jonathan Power, Madison Halla, Kijana Lewis, Vidhya Dinesh, Reba Browne, and Rimli Roy herself.

The crowd was especially captivated by Yeung’s operatic rendition of Handel’s “Lascia Ch’io Pianga”, accompanied by dancers Harsha Harikumar and Kijana Lewis.

“Times Square became a canvas for cultural exchange and artistic excellence,” said Rimli Roy, Founder & Artistic Director of Surati. “It was inspiring to share Okal Bodhon on the occasion of Durga Puja and Navratri — moments that remind us of the enduring power of art, storytelling, and community.”

Ramaavan – A Musical is an original production inspired by the Indian epic Ramayana, exploring the roots of the Diwali story. Conceived, created, and directed by Rimli Roy, with music by Sumit Roy and Rajesh Roy, and lyrics and dialogues by Arati Roy, the musical has been staged in New York and across India since 2018, featuring artistic collaboration between performers from both countries under the invitation of the Government of India.

The 2025 celebration was made possible through the support of Times Square Durga Utsav Association, ConnX SmartMS, Scient Enterprise AI, AVP Global, and Surati’s network of generous patrons and donors. The event showcased the unifying power of art, devotion, and community spirit at one of the world’s most iconic public venues – Times Square.

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