Starting Half Light Events was the product of a decade long dream and a powerful bond between an aunt and niece. Though we always hoped to combine our shared love for detail oriented events and our love for each other into a family business, we knew this dream of working together could be short-lived. My beautiful aunt and co-founder of Half Light Events, Sandya, passed away after a 6-year battle with ovarian cancer. Sandya is a Sanskrit word meaning “twilight” or “half light.” Funny, because my Sandya was the brightest light to ever exist. I’m Anita, the niece of the pair. I was born and raised in the ‘burgh. I’m a practicing physician. I love taking care of people, and I realized my creative side is always looking for ways to shine through in a way that isn’t always possible in 
medicine. I have always been a planner — whether it’s planning vacations, parties, or my life. I had a weekly planner in college that included when I would shower each day. The first event I remember planning was when I volunteered to plan our 4th grade class Super Bowl party in 1996. The Steelers may have lost, but event planning won me over. Yes, I’m Type A—so you don’t have to be! Let me obsess over the little details, timelines, and making your vision come to life! Trust me, I’m a doctor.

anita chandra

Founder + Principal Planner