Janam Din Mubarak Ho (Happy Birthday)

A pretty young thing was turning eighteen and neither she nor her mother wanted a stiff and formal coming out party. The last thing on their minds was a cookie-cutter debut.

After all, if she were indeed a cookie, she'd be hand-shaped and curvy, a luscious Nankhatai.

That's because this debutante is 1/4 Bumbay (Hindu or Indian) courtesy of a grandfather who made the Philippines his home. How wonderful that on her eighteenth birthday, she chose to celebrate her ethnicity.

Think saffron, curry and cardamom, simmered patiently for exotic flavors to bloom, then garnished with effervescent, youthful glam. The finished dish? A Bollywood party so cool that it wowed all guests and surprised even us who helped plan it.

Of course, it mattered that every minute detail was chosen and painstakingly put together to suit the Bollywood concept:

Invites. Each guest received a yellow organza pouch with gold stars, an indication of how un-ordinary this shebang was going to be. Inside was a pair of hand-sequined foot socks they were meant to slip on as their dancing shoes the party.

Ambience. The village clubhouse was transformed into a Bollywood ballroom, the walls and ceilings draped with yards of fabric. Low tables surrounded the main dance floor, creating a cozy and relaxed ambience. Tassled throw pillows in jewel colors marked every spot for a guest to sit on. Lights were muted and elegant, embracing the crowd with warmth. A mix of classic and pop Hindu music provided the swinging rhythm of the night. (Just how magical this transformation was? Neighbors couldn't help but snoop inside and marvel at the their now unrecognizable clubhouse!)

Arrival. Guests were asked to leave their shoes by the door and were instructed to wear their foot socks. Those who failed to bring theirs were given extra pairs. Then, the girls claimed their royalty tag as bindis were placed on their foreheads.

Food. Instead of plated meals or a lavish buffet, guests were served, family-style, with platters of roti, pita, assorted dips, tika, curry, samosas, noodles and other Indian delicacies. A dessert table with a chocolate fountain provided the sugar rush for all-night dancing.

Program. A hush fell when the lights dimmed and the entire ballroom thumped with excitement as three belly dancers gyrated on the dance floor. As their swaying reached a feverish tempo, the debutante joined them and held her own against the ladies.

Rituals. Shunning the traditional 18 candles and 18 roses, the debutante's friends and family honored her with 18 cakes – sweet, stunning mounds in purple, yellow, green, aqua, orange and magenta, iced with delicate loops and spirals. And then 18 buddies simultaneously took 18 shots of tequila to wild screams of "Cheers!"

Games. Adding a thematic twist to the classic game "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" proved to be literally ticklish. The blindfolded girls were asked to memorize their partner's navel area, then each girl had to pick her partner out from the group of guys by sticking a bindi on his bellybutton! The next game was a Belly dancing contest among the guys. This game was a hoot.

The highlight of the Bollywood Bash was the debutante's mom surprising her only daughter with an heirloom necklace originally given to her by her own mother.

The rest of the night was spent in a Bollywood blur, as the young ones danced their hearts away. The older guests hang around past their bedtime, wining and whining about their creaking joints.

Giveaways. Each guest brought home the pillow he sat on. What lovely assurance that each time he hugs, sits on or lays his head on that pillow, he will always remember this beautiful Bollywood Princess who celebrated her youth, her ties and her roots on that fabulous September evening.

The debutante, Princess Singh Reyes