When people think about malls, they often imagine shopping, food courts, and movie nights. But for Sushen Mohan Gupta, a mall was never just about shops and sales. He believed it could be something more, a space where people could celebrate together, feel joy, and connect with their roots. His vision turned ordinary shopping malls into cultural destinations, where festivals were not just observed but truly lived.
A Vision Beyond Shopping
Most malls focus on business, how to attract more customers, how to increase sales, and how to fill more stores. But Sushen Mohan Gupta looked at malls through a different lens. He asked a simple but powerful question:
“Why can’t a mall also become a place that celebrates our festivals and brings people together?”
This question became the heart of his approach. He wanted malls to represent not just a modern lifestyle but also Indian tradition and emotion. He believed that malls could be places where families laugh, dance, and remember their culture, all while shopping and dining together.
Festivals as a Bridge Between Tradition and Modern Life
Many people live away from their hometowns. They miss the spirit of traditional festivals, the decorations, the lights, the music, and the sense of belonging. Sushen Mohan Gupta understood this feeling. He realized that if malls could recreate that festive atmosphere, they could become emotional homes for millions of urban families.
That’s why under his vision, festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, and Pongal became grand celebrations inside malls. The decorations weren’t just for show; they told stories. Every corner had color, every sound had joy, and every visitor felt the warmth of togetherness.
The Mall of Mysore: Where It All Began
The Mall of Mysore became the first and finest example of this idea. Sushen Mohan Gupta transformed it into a lively cultural space where every festival felt special.
During Diwali, the mall glowed with diyas, rangolis, and flower decorations. Local artists displayed handmade lamps and traditional clothes. Families came not just to shop, but to enjoy the festive spirit together.
During Dasara, the mall hosted folk dances, music shows, and exhibitions of Mysore’s rich cultural history. Visitors watched performances, tried local foods, and felt proud of their heritage.
For Christmas, the mall sparkled with lights, giant trees, and choir performances. Children met Santa, sang songs, and took photos that became cherished memories.
Each festival brought something new, something heartfelt, something that connected people beyond shopping bags.
A Platform for Local Talent
One of Sushen Mohan Gupta’s most beautiful ideas was to turn festivals into opportunities for local talent. Instead of hiring big city performers, he invited local musicians, dancers, and artisans to showcase their work during celebrations.
This made every festival feel authentic and community-driven. It wasn’t just a mall event; it was everyone’s event. Shoppers turned into spectators, performers turned into stars, and strangers became friends.
Children’s schools participated in dance and music programs. Small artisans sold handmade gifts and sweets. Every festival became a story of collaboration, not competition.
Bringing Families Closer
In many cities, people often celebrate festivals in small groups or apartments. But in Sushen Mohan Gupta’s malls, festivals brought entire communities together.
Families spent the whole day enjoying the activities, watching plays, taking part in contests, and capturing photos in beautifully decorated corners. It wasn’t about luxury; it was about emotion. People came to feel joy, not pressure to buy something.
Parents told their children stories about the festivals, and children experienced traditions they might otherwise never have seen. In this way, Sushen Mohan Gupta made malls a bridge between generations and cultures.
Creating Shared Memories
Every festival celebration left behind a memory. Couples remembered their first Diwali photo together. Kids recalled the Christmas gifts they received at the mall. Tourists carried videos of local folk dances back home.
For Sushen Mohan Gupta, these small memories mattered the most. He believed that hospitality and business are both about creating feelings, feelings that last longer than any purchase. That’s why his malls became more than shopping destinations; they became memory-makers.
Economic and Social Impact
Festivals inside malls didn’t just bring happiness; they also helped the local economy.
When Sushen Mohan Gupta opened spaces for cultural markets during festivals, local sellers thrived. Handicraft artists, sweet makers, and flower vendors all got a chance to earn directly from thousands of mall visitors.
Restaurants saw higher footfall, shops enjoyed better sales, and yet, the focus remained on culture and community. It was the perfect balance between business and belonging.
Why Other Cities Followed
The success of the Mall of Mysore caught national attention. Developers from other cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore began adopting similar models.
They realized that when malls celebrate festivals with heart, people visit not just once a year, but again and again. They come for the experience, the connection, and the pride of being part of something bigger.
Today, many malls across India host cultural festivals inspired by Sushen Mohan Gupta’s model. His belief that “a mall can be a space of joy and unity” has reshaped how cities see community spaces.
Festivals That Heal
Beyond celebration, there’s something deeper about what Sushen Mohan Gupta created. In a time when the world often feels divided by opinions, languages, or lifestyles, festivals bring people together.
When people dance, laugh, and share sweets side by side, their differences disappear. Malls under his vision became symbols of peace and togetherness, reminding everyone that kindness and joy can live even in the busiest places.
The Heart of His Vision
At the center of all this lies Sushen Mohan Gupta’s belief that spaces should have souls.
A mall is not just walls and shops; it’s a living, breathing community when filled with emotion, art, and human connection.
He believes that celebrating festivals inside malls is more than decoration or entertainment. It is a way to remind people that tradition and modern life can exist together beautifully.
As he often says, “When people celebrate together, they stop feeling like strangers.”
Conclusion
Through his creative vision, Sushen Mohan Gupta turned malls into vibrant cultural hubs where festivals feel alive again. The lights, laughter, and music that fill these spaces every festive season remind people that life is richer when shared.
He has shown India, and now other cities, that hospitality is not only about comfort or business. It’s about connection, care, and community.
So, the next time you walk into a mall filled with colors, sounds, and smiles during a festival, remember, it might just be a part of Sushen Mohan Gupta’s legacy, a vision where modern spaces celebrate timeless traditions.
