With the goal of fostering cultural unity and empowering future generations with knowledge of their heritage, a new platform called “I Love Art” was launched in New Jersey, jointly by ITV Gold and Jhilmil. The event, entitled “Aarambh: A New Beginning”, was held at Parlor Banquet Hall in Woodbridge, NJ, June 8, 2025. It showcased the dance, music, theater, poetry, and visual arts of India.
An exhibition of paintings greeted those who came to share the cultural evening, the motto of which was “I Love Arts: Let’s Built A Community.
The initiative seeks to bring together diverse Indian artistic traditions, communities, and organizations under one roof.
One of the leaders in this endeavor is Anoop Bhargava, a poet with a vision to use art to unite the community. “Art Matters” is the idea behind founding Jhilmil, Bhargava says. The divisions of language, or even nations, leads to divisions, but “art” unites, he believes.
Guests invited to the event included India’s Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan; Professor Anamika, a Hindi poet, novelist, professor of literature in English, and Sahitya Akademi Award winner; Archana Joglekar, actress, director and Kathak dancer. Lalita Mathur, as well as Dr. Sudhir Parikh of Parikh Worldwide Media/ITV Gold.
Archana introduced Bhargava, who began by reciting poetry. The genesis of “I Love Art” stems from a recognition that while numerous individual organizations diligently promote specific regional cultures—be it Bengali, Gujarati, or Punjabi—there’s a need for a broader, inclusive platform, Bhargava believes. As one of the driving forces, he articulated, the vision to “build a community of good people using art, literature, and culture as a means.” This sentiment was echoed by a speaker who emphasized, “When we work together, we can achieve much more.”
Dr. Parikh, in his speech, described “I Love Art” as a “great initiative,” and recalled how two months ago, Bhargava had approached him with the idea to empower the 2nd generation with Indian culture. The name “I Love Art” was born in the discussions between Dr. Parikh and Bhargava. On the second Sunday of every month, an event would be held under this initiative. “That is the real way to putting in action this initiative,” Parikh said, and offered the ITV Gold auditorium as the venue for future events. “Our children have to come in this program and learn and show and do the showcasing of their art talent and their liking,” said Dr. Parikh.
Joglekar said she fully supports this initiative, and appreciated Bhargava’s idea to unite the various arts to bring people together. Joglekar has been teaching Kathak for 25 years in US, but even before that in India. “Art is a medium where all languages and all castes and religions dissolve, and through art, everyone connects,” she said.
Several dance troupes performed classical dances, and a group of young singers showcased their talent in classical ragas, and a storytelling skit by a child was also among the items the audience enjoyed.
Bhargava named several organizations which were joining together to be part of the initiative. “I am so happy for the love received from all those present. To me it was more than an event. An event is just a means. But as our tagline says – Let’s Build A Community,” which means a community of “good people” who get together to give the public one such event every month at the ITV Gold auditorium,” Bhargava said. He also recognized some of the organizations present such as the Maheshwari Mahasabha and Friends of Madhya Pradesh, which indicated their desire to work alongside existing cultural groups rather than in isolation.
“”What can be better than this? Indian culture and all of its practices,” being available to people on a regular basis, one attendee said.
Jhilmil and ITV Gold have adopted a structured approach to I Love Art. Events will be held every second Sunday of the month, from 4 PM to 6 PM, at the auditorium readily made available by ITV Gold. This consistent schedule is designed to help the community remember and prioritize attending these cultural gatherings, so as to keep the initiative going far into the future and not die, organizers said
The commitment of ITV Gold to dedicate their auditorium exclusively to “I Love Art” on these specific Sundays underscores the seriousness and long-term vision behind this initiative, said leaders of the initiative.
Speakers congratulated Bhargava “wholeheartedly for standing with this thought that we…should not be divided by castes and languages. Everyone has one India in their hearts, so be united as one Indian.”
Organizers, led by Bhargava, looking to the future, urged the community, “Please continue to support us so that we can do more programs.”