Ottawa's hottest new charity ball -Caroline Phillips, Ottawa Citizen
All the magic and exoticism anyone could transfer to the banks of the Rideau Canal
-Margo Roston, Ottawa Citizen
The Maharaja's Ball is a charity gala that has been held in the City of Ottawa since 2006. Over the years it has
raised funds for various local charities. The guests of the Maharaja's Ball are treated to a kaleidoscope of
culture that highlights the lives of the Maharajas (former rulers of the princely states of India) in a way that is
meant to allure and appeal to all of the human senses.
The Maharaja's Ball has been selected as a “featured event” of the 2011 “Festival of India” which is being
staged by the High Commission of India in various venues and events across Canada. The High Commission of India will select and secure a traditional "Rajasthani Folk Dance" troupe from India that will no doubt be the highlight performance at the Maharaja's Ball.
Auctions will display jewelry, sculptures, brass work, metal works, silks, paintings, carpets and many other art
forms from the various regions of India. Dinner will feature different cooking stations interspersed between
several authentic buffet tables. Pair this with the spirit, the splendors, the spices and colour of the Maharajas'
palaces and the event promises to deliver an extraordinary experience for its 600+ attendees.
Rhythm Force has played for many major special events, weddings and clubs in both Toronto and Ottawa and over the past few years has risen to one of the most popular DJ's in both Indo-Canadian and mainstream communities. The Maharaja's Ball is pleased to welcome Rhythm Force to Ottawa to cap off a very special and magical evening.
Western: Black Tie Indian: Contemporary or Traditional
| Indian
Traditional |
Indian
Contemporary | Western
Black Tie |
Maharaja's
(Male) |
Sherwani (Long knee length closed collar jacket)
with churidars (pants)
Turban (optional)
Jutties (Hand made shoes without laces) (or Oxford shoes with laces) | Jodhpuri Suit
(Standard Length closed collar
jacket with matching pants) | Tuxedo
(Standard Length Coat with dressy trim and matching pants)
(Any color Tie/Cummerbund) |
Maharani's
(Female) | "The Bes"
Lehenga-Kurti Kanchli-Odhni
(Ankle Length Skirt, two piece blouse ensemble with three yard scarf) |
Sarees
(Often with gold embroidery
or accent) | Cocktail gowns,
Ankle length dresses,
or Dressy Evening Seperates |
Winner – 2007
Canadian Special Events Awards – Best Theme Décor
Runner Up – 2009
Association of Fundraising
Professionals Awards
- Best Volunteer Group
Get a glimpse of the past events in this
slideshow
(Nehru) suit, a stand up collar suit with its lack of lapels and the Nehru collar, has perhaps traveled much wider and has proved
more durable than its promoter, India's first Prime Minister Mr. J.L. Nehru. In the 1960s, it stormed men's wardrobes, thanks to
star supporters like Johnny Carson and the Beatles. It would have slid into oblivion in the latter part of the decade but for the
James Bond films, with the original Bond, Sean Connery, appearing in a Jodhpuri Suit jacket in Dr No. The dress swam back to the
future in the late 1990s-again tracing the 007 route-when comedian Mike Myers sported the Jodhpuri Suit/Nehru Jacket as Austin Powers, the ultra-hip British agent. It soon became a retro resurrect- something the Mao jacket never succeeded in doing. British
Prime Minister Tony Blair has gone to town in a Nehru Suit and former South African leader Nelson Mandela has professed his
fondness for the cut. There is no difference between the Jodhpuri Suit and the Nehru Suit.
