Sharks to Host Celebration of South Asian Culture

The
San Jose Sharks
(

Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with the FREE
UPMA Holi Celebration
that will take place outside of SAP Center on Barack Obama Blvd. Activities will include celebratory color throwing\, music, guided dancing, food (for purchase), and much more. \Participants in coloring throwing must change clothes before entering SAP Center for the Sharks game.
Indian actress, model, and producer
Huma Qureshi
(
@iamhumag
) will be on hand to drop the ceremonial first puck before the game begins. Fans can purchase a special VIP package ticket that includes a pre-game meet-and-greet with Ms. Qureshi from 6-7 p.m. as well as light food and beverage and a group photo with her on the ice after the game. For more details, visit
www.sjsharks.com/indian
.
Additional pregame activities will include festive dancing and live vocal performances by
Voice of Bay Area
founded by Jagruti Desai Shaw in the Hop Valley Bar located on the concourse level above the South Entrance at SAP Center. The national anthem will be performed by a local Indian singer Saavi Ramteke and dance performances pregame on the concourse and during

will be performed by
Gurus of Dance
, a Bollywood dance, drama, and entertainment company based in Milpitas. Free henna tattoo art will also be available to all fans on the concourse throughout the game.
Sharks-themed merchandise specifically created for this night and featuring south Asian-inspired artwork from local artist Chetna Mehta (
@mosaiceye
) will be available for purchase in the Sharks Pro Shop located near the South Entrance at SAP Center.
As described by Mehta: "The design incorporates a Mendhi mandala, as the practice of henna overlaps across all South Asian countries and cultures despite the rich diversity. The art also plays with contrasting motifs that are both feminine and masculine, creating variance between the fierce, drooling shark in front of graceful circles and swirls. The orange disc behind the mandala symbolizes solar and lunar cycles, which often determine the timing of annual celebrations and ceremonies. The turmeric diamond, a color of a significant spice in food and ritual, offers a vibrant background for the detail of the earthy red mandala to be seen. The sprightly colors of the design are pervasive in cultural festivals and attire, reflecting tones of nature itself."

, a media partner of the Sharks that was instrumental in organizing the celebration and bringing the Indian and hockey communities together, will be on-site to provide coverage of all activities.
As part of the Sharks celebration of South Asian Culture, this past Friday, March 3, the Sharks Foundation (

) partnered with the
Art of Living Foundation
and
SKY Schools
to bring yoga to youth at Lyndale Elementary School. In line with the yoga experience, the Sharks Foundation has named Art of Living the beneficiary of the Sharks Foundation auction that will run from March 10 - 12. Both the Art of Living and SKY Schools will be onsite at SAP Center for the Celebration of South Asian Culture Night to further talk about their work and distribute information. They will be located on the concourse near the North Doors Stairs.

For more information about the Sharks Celebration of South Asian Culture, check out the Sharks website at
www.sjsharks.com
.