A Celebration Beyond the Saree
In its third year, CYD Media’s signature Adelaide event transformed fashion into a language of culture, confidence and connection—bringing women from diverse backgrounds together in a celebration of contemporary multicultural Australia.
Some events entertain. Others create connections, conversations and memories that continue long after the lights go down. Saree Symphony is steadily becoming one of those occasions.
On 13 September 2026, a vibrant expression of colour, culture and confidence filled The Marquee Ballroom at the Tea Tree Convention Centre & Suites in Modbury, South Australia, as CYD Media presented Saree Symphony 3.0—the third chapter of an evolving celebration created around women, identity and inclusion.
But to describe Saree Symphony simply as a fashion or cultural event would be to miss its deeper purpose.
The saree may be its inspiration and its visual signature, but the story has always been much larger.
It is about the woman wearing it.
Her heritage. Her individuality. Her confidence. Her journey.
And increasingly, it is about creating a space where women from all cultural backgrounds can stand alongside one another, celebrate what makes them unique and discover what connects them.
In a multicultural city like Adelaide, that message carries particular meaning.
Saree Symphony 3.0 was not about asking women to fit into one definition of culture, fashion or beauty. It was about giving them the freedom to celebrate their own.
THREE YEARS, ONE EVOLVING VISION
What began in 2024 as an idea to create a meaningful platform for women has evolved over three editions, with each year adding a new dimension to the Saree Symphony story. The inaugural edition combined cultural celebration with meaningful conversations, bringing together professionals and representatives from multicultural communities and the corporate
sector for a panel discussion that placed women’s experiences, perspectives and achievements at the centre of the conversation.
The second edition expanded that vision by recognising 32 multicultural women through the Multicultural Women Excellence Awards, celebrating women whose contributions across professional, business and community life deserved greater visibility.
In its third year, Saree Symphony deliberately evolved once again.
Saree Symphony 3.0 was about inclusiveness, participation, celebration and entertainment.
It created an environment where women could leave titles and everyday responsibilities at the door for a few hours, connect with one another and simply celebrate themselves.
MORE THAN AN EVENT — AN EXPERIENCE
From the moment guests arrived, Saree Symphony 3.0 was designed as an experience.
Welcome tea and exhibition stalls created an atmosphere of connection before guests entered the ballroom for an afternoon combining fashion, live music, cultural expression and entertainment.
Professional models brought elegance to the fashion walk, while one of the event’s most engaging elements gave attendees themselves an opportunity to step onto the runway.
It reflected one of the central philosophies behind Saree Symphony: the spotlight should not belong only to professional models or recognised personalities.
Every woman has a story. Every woman carries her own style, confidence and identity. Sometimes, all that is needed is a stage on which to express it.
THE PEOPLE AND PARTNERS BEHIND THE CELEBRATION
Behind the colour, elegance and energy of Saree Symphony 3.0 was a collective effort that brought together creative talent, performers, businesses and community partners. Led by Founder and Event Director Daljeet Bakshi, the event reflected CYD Media’s vision of creating an inclusive platform where culture, fashion, entertainment and community connection could come together under one roof.
The celebration was expertly guided by emcees Sunaina Sharma Virmani and Fransesca McMillan, while choreographer Sarika Young, owner of Kalou Models, brought professional direction and style to the fashion presentations. DJ Rock On kept the energy flowing throughout the event, complemented by a captivating live saxophone performance from Nemenico, the vibrant rhythms and cultural expression of the Sun of Africa Drumming & Dance Ensemble, and live singing by Harpinder Chipra (Sikhstrings). Seema Dhanda the lead participants / audience fashion walk .
Fashion remained a defining element of the experience. GH Designer presented an exclusive saree display, while fashion walks featuring sarees from Amrit Australia and Allam Boutique added colour, craftsmanship and contemporary styling to the runway. Importantly, the spotlight was not reserved for professional models alone—the participant and audience fashion walk witnessed outstanding participation, with women confidently taking to the runway and becoming part of the celebration themselves. Thanks to Lakshmy from Draping by Lakshmy who helped with models Saree draping . Event styliing was done by Jha , Lets Celebrate Life .
The event was presented in partnership with ILO & Antono Living, and co-partnered by Choice N Control and Harcourts Premium. Platinum Partners ChaiOz, Stylux Interiors, Midnight Pharmacy and Tokhi Driving Solutions provided further support, highlighting the valuable role businesses and partners play in helping multicultural initiatives grow.
Guests were also treated to tea by ChaiOz, with Saree Symphony 3.0 witnessing the soft launch of its new Kadak Chai, adding another distinctive element to the day. Pani puri and a variety of exhibition stalls contributed to the festive atmosphere and gave guests opportunities to explore, connect and engage throughout the event.
WR Luxe, the event’s Beauty and Official Makeup Artist, contributed to the polished presentation of the occasion, while Gift Partners Taaj Jewellers, Chandrakot Jewellers, You & Wellness, and Northgate Laundromat added to the experience through their generous support.
Together, these collaborations transformed Saree Symphony 3.0 from a single event into a shared celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship, multiculturalism and community spirit. Every partner, performer, participant and contributor became part of the Saree Symphony story—demonstrating that behind every successful stage is a community of people who believe in the vision and help bring it to life.
But beyond the programme, the strongest feature of the day was the atmosphere in the room—women celebrating women, friendships being formed, cultures being shared and people connecting without barriers.
Hon Meagan Spencer MP represented The Hon Nadia Clancy MP Minister for Multicultural Affairs SA and The Hon Rhiannon Pearce MP Minister for Emergency services . Special guests incuded Hon Michelle Lensink MLC Shadow Minister for Multicultural affairs SA , Hon Mira El Dannawi MLC , Mayor Marjika Ryan , Irene Evangelista member South Australia Multicultural Commission. Special guests from community included Constance Jones , Chikodi Okoro Senior Solicitor Women’s Legal services SA . Boram Lee , Irina Roik , Yasmin Kajani , Moira Lewis .
CELEBRATING MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA
Adelaide’s strength lies in its diversity, and Saree Symphony reflects that changing cultural landscape.
For CYD Media, multiculturalism is not simply about placing different communities in the same room. Meaningful inclusion happens when people feel welcomed, represented and able to participate as themselves.
Saree Symphony therefore seeks to create a platform where cultural heritage becomes a bridge rather than a boundary.
The saree provides the inspiration, but the celebration belongs to everyone. It is this philosophy that continues to shape the event: respect your roots, celebrate your identity and create space for others to celebrate theirs.
THE WOMEN BEHIND THE CELEBRATION
Saree Symphony 3.0 was ultimately made meaningful by the women who embraced it.
From participants and models to guests, performers, exhibitors, partners, supporters and volunteers, every person contributed to the character of the occasion.
Events may be created through planning, but they become memorable through people.
The enthusiasm, colour, laughter and confidence brought into the ballroom demonstrated why spaces dedicated to connection and cultural celebration continue to matter.
For some, it was an opportunity to dress up and enjoy an afternoon with friends. For others, it was a chance to walk a fashion runway for the first time, meet new people, showcase a business or reconnect with their cultural identity.
Different experiences. Different cultures. Different stories.
One shared stage.
BUILDING A LEGACY
Three editions later, Saree Symphony continues to evolve.
For CYD Media, the ambition is not simply to organise another annual event, but to build a platform with a recognisable identity and a lasting place within South Australia’s multicultural calendar.
From meaningful conversations in its first year, to recognising multicultural women in its second, and embracing celebration and inclusiveness in its third, Saree Symphony has continued to reinvent itself while remaining connected to its original purpose.
Its future will be shaped by the same principles that inspired its beginning: women, culture, confidence, community and connection.
Because the true success of Saree Symphony cannot be measured only by the lights, fashion or applause.
It can be found in the woman who stepped onto a runway for the first time.
In the stranger who became a friend.
In the culture proudly shared with another.
And in the confidence that comes from knowing there is a space where you belong.
Saree Symphony is not simply about what women wear.
It is about the stories they carry, the confidence they discover, the cultures they celebrate and the connections they create.
Saree Symphony 3.0 may have concluded, but its journey continues—towards a bigger vision, a stronger community and a legacy built together.
