Keeping West Indian culture alive through pageantry… : Chalisa R: founder of DIYA Divas Diwali Pageant in Canada

Chalisa R. has been working tirelessly to keep West Indian culture alive in Ontario, Canada through pageants, television shows, and by emceeing. Her strong involvement in cultural events and religious activities throughout her life has led her and her mother to form the DIYA Divas Miss Diwali Pageant, the inaugural edition of which was held in 2015.

That show, which saw Dannilian Motilal being crowned the pageant’s inaugural Miss Diwali Queen,was a soldout event, she disclosed, and added that the necessary training was provided for girls who had no modelling experience, and she and her mother choreographed the first show from beginning to end.
Having participated in the Miss India Canada and the Miss India Internationalpageants, Chalisa said, she and her mother founded the DIYA Divas Diwali Pageant to provide young West Indian girls with opportunity to showcase their talent and beauty, while at the same time promoting and preserving their culture.

“Having the opportunity to further represent Canada in Trinidad for the international competition (of Ms India) was an absolute honour. That experience taught me so much. Mom and I appreciated it a lot, and wanted to share that with other young girls; and that is when we started our pageant,” Chalisa detailed in an interview with Guyana Times about the origin of the DIYA Divas Diwali pageant.
Over the years, the pageant has provided contestants with the opportunity to compete internationally in pageants such as the Miss Diwali Nagar in Trinidad and Tobago. More so, the inaugural cultural explosion had set the stage for bigger and more organised events, with performances by Trinidad’s Chutney King Raymond Ramnarine and Terry Gajraj of ‘Guyana Baboo’ fame, among others. To date, most of the contestants in this pageant are Guyanese and Trinidadians based in Canada.

Chalisa explained that the pageant has given her a different perspective on culture, morals, values, and more so to appreciate what Toronto has to offer in safeguarding a diverse society.
“It’s a very gratifying and very proud moment, the night of the events,” Chalisa has said, adding that it is an amazing sight to see how the delegates have developed from when they started to pageant night.
Herself a former model and musician, Chalisa also emcees in and out of Canada, and is popular among the West Indian community in Ontario. She has emceed major events along with Ravi B, Nisha B, and Kaylan Kedar. Her talent has taken her to India, where she hosted high-level dignitaries, including High Commissioners of India, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
For Chalisa, being able to take her talent as an emcee across the world, especially to the motherland, is an experience for which she would always be grateful.
Well versed in playing the harmonium, dholak and tabla, Chalisa is a classical Indian dancer who also sings old and modern Bollywood songs. Her well-grounded cultural background afforded her the opportunity to accompany Indian playback singer Anup Jalota on one of his tours to Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, the United States, and Toronto in Canada.

Along with her many pursuits and successes, Chalisa has an amazing television appearance, wherein she connects with the West Indian audience.
“My television show is about keeping our culture alive…displaying local and international talent from the Caribbean and West Indies, and promoting our local community events such as concerts, seminars, fundraiser for temples and mosques,” she explained. The former model remains passionate about keeping her legacy alive and about uniting the community.
She added that the television show provides her with the voice to be heard and seen. “I provide that motivation for young girls, to inspire them to make a difference and be that change they want to see. It’s all about spreading positivity and inclusivity, love, confidence, self-respect and discipline, while at the same time upkeeping our culture and Dharma,” she noted.
Chalisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and a Master’s degree in Finance from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Outside of her career in the entertainment industry, she assists in the family business – the first Tropical Escape Restaurant and Lounge, a restaurant in Brampton that has been in business for 20 years.
“My parents came to Canada many years ago. Both my mom and dad hailed from entrepreneurial families in Guyana. My father is the founder of Full Worth Store in Downtown Toronto, which is the largest West Indian store. They (parents) are heavily involved in supporting numerous charities, locally and abroad,” she added. Her father is Jaigobin, a former businessman in Guyana.
Chalisa explained that funds garnered from the pageants over the years have been donated to temples for hosting religious and educational programmes. She is also an advocate within her community by affiliating herself in both multi-faith workshops, events and fundraisers.
Chalisa R has said she intends to continue her work in the entertainment industry; not only dancing, singing or emceeing, but expanding the DIYA Divas Miss Diwali Pageant.
“Be the radiant beacon of light as you humbly and gracefully journey through life,” is her advice to young girls as they navigate the challenges in life.