Christina Fernández-Morrow

From Beats to Bites

The mouth-watering aroma of masala wraps from Tikka Talk at Iowa’s CelebrAsian Festival. Bopping to Bollywood beats at a gala on New Year's Eve in Omaha. Laughter spilling out of Hotshotz Bar and Grill in Oskaloosa on a Saturday night. These moments are courtesy of Raj Devan, a pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur whose businesses and events create connection through culture.

These businesses may seem random, but they have been carefully cultivated. A long-time Iowa resident, Raj got his PharmD from Drake University and set his sights on oncology. Guided by his family values of work ethic and resilience, he began his career. “Family taught me the importance of building something meaningful that lasts beyond you. My mindset comes from wanting to create opportunity, legacy, and stability,” said Raj.

Community-Building Experiences

He combined discipline from his education with instinct to create community-building experiences through music. He blended Bollywood rhythms with dance beats and used technology to produce mix tapes that aligned with his tastes. He learned to work the tables from DJ legends, creating a name within the club scene.

That fueled Eclipse Entertainment, where he turned weekend gigs into huge music festivals like 515 Alive, Kosmic Kingdom, Taco and Tequila Fest, Taste of Des Moines, and Basslands. The company also provides event planning and promotion, and produces Iowa Loves Bollywood, organizing large-scale Bollywood and Tollywood dance events, like Holi and Diwali festivals across Iowa, Omaha, and Kansas. Fusing heritage and community are a family affair, as his uncle founded the Indo-American Association, and Raj has been active with the local Hindu Temple since its beginnings. “That history is important because community service and cultural connection have always been part of my family and my mission,” shared Raj.

Cultural Infusion

From beats to bites, Raj saw opportunities for greater cultural infusion. “There was a need for stronger South Asian entertainment and celebration that was about identity, visibility, and building a scene people could be proud of,” said Raj. He’s proudest of succeeding across lanes from festivals to food, while staying true to himself. This led to Tikka Talk food truck offering popular Indian street food, and later, Bawarchi Indian Grill and Bar in West Des Moines. His vision extended to Oskaloosa where he opened Hotshotz Bar and Grill, serving more traditional bar items.

While this business portfolio is impressive, it didn’t come without hurdles, like introducing unfamiliar flavors in markets used to familiarity. “These ideas did not come with a roadmap. I had to educate the market, build the audience, and prove the concept at the same time,” he said. Lessons learned guided his expansion to spots like Dreamland Lounge Omaha, where Raj continues to put culture and connection at the center of his business.

“My work has never only been about entertainment. My focus has always been on building community, creating opportunities, and helping people connect across different backgrounds and traditions,” said Raj. That’s why he enjoys his role as an Ambassador for CultureALL, supporting cultural and community-centered education through workshops, events, and other programming.

Bollywood and Biryani

Join Raj at CultureALL’s next celebration to eat, connect and build community!

‍CultureALL’s Dine & Dance at Bawarchi Indian Grill & Bar is Monday, May 11, beginning at 6 pm.

‍Purchase your tickets here.

This event is supported in part by the Iowa Arts Council which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.