Los Angeles Mayor-elect Nithya Raman marked her first Diwali since winning office by stepping into City Hall draped in a traditional Kerala-style saree on November 14. The celebration brought together local families, community leaders and elected officials for an evening of music, dance and official recognition.
Performances ranged from Carnatic vocals and classical dance to energetic Bhangra and tabla pieces, with children from The Sa Dance Academy among those taking the stage. Indian Consul General Dr. K. J. Srinivasa joined the festivities, and the City Council used the occasion to pass a formal resolution acknowledging Diwali’s themes of hope and unity.
Raman presented Srinivasa with a letter of appreciation for his role in strengthening ties between India and Los Angeles.
Born in Kerala on July 28, 1981, Raman moved to the United States with her parents at age six and became a citizen at 22. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Harvard and a master’s in urban planning from MIT. Her husband, Vali Chandrasekaran, is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer known for work on Modern Family and 30 Rock. The couple lives in Silver Lake with their twins, Karna and Kaveri.
Photos from the event, shared on Raman’s official social media accounts, show her engaging with attendees and participating in the cultural program. The Indian Consulate General’s office confirmed the details of the resolution and the honor extended to Srinivasa.
