News Notes

Regional Festival of India Matthews, NC

Article and Photos by Sanjana Mishra

displays, eagerly seeking out a cup of mango lassi. Colorful banners and ornamented umbrellas decorated Stumptown Park. Dressed in vibrant costumes, children and adults alike put on presentations of Bollywood dance, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bhangra, and more. Families, friends, and intrigued strangers gathered in front of the stage to watch the show.

Several tents displayed handcrafted artwork, many of which were created by students and entirely from recycled material. Such pieces included paintings, structures (including a lifesized peacock and a recreation of the Thanjavur Temple), and even miniature cultural dresses from different regions of India modeled on Barbie dolls.

With cultural dance performances, art exhibits, food stalls, and bustling crowds throughout the afternoon, the second annual Festival of India at Matthews not only showcased the rich culture of India, but it also served as a unifying event to bring the town’s community together.

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, the festival kicked off at noon. And for the next few hours, people came and went, proudly recording their child’s dances, curiously exploring the jewelry and clothing

A long line quickly formed at the mehndi, or henna, station, one of the most popular of the afternoon. Dozens of people waited for one of five artists to draw elaborate designs on their skin. At the turban-wrapping stall, fathers gently chided their squirming young sons to sit still, then proudly snapped their pictures afterward. Women at the sari-draping stall pleated and folded long pieces of cloth, then wrapped them around their waists and over their shoulders. Different food stalls offered biryani, paneer, hakka noodles… you name it.

Although this was Matthews’ second regional festival, the larger Festival of India has been held in Uptown Charlotte for over 25 years and will take place on September 23, 2023, with similar festivities in tow.

The event was vibrant and provided an opportunity for the community, old and young, South Asian or not, to come together and get a taste of Indian culture. From a group of friends singing along to famous Bollywood songs to a family ordering tasty samosas from one of the various food tents, the Festival of India is all about community. It shows the beauty of our differences yet emphasizes oneness – individuality and unity.

White House Announces Modi’s Official State Visit

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India for an official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023. According to the White House, “The visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together. The visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the United States as the two nations collaborate across numerous sectors. The leaders will have the opportunity to review strong bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, including technology, trade, industry, education, research, clean energy, defense, security, healthcare, and deepening people-to-people connections.”

The visit will strengthen the two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and the shared resolve to elevate a strategic partnership in technology, including in defense, clean energy, and space. The leaders will discuss ways to further expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as will work together to confront common challenges from climate change to workforce development and health security.

Modi and Biden will also explore ways to strengthen India-US collaboration in pluri-lateral and multilateral fora, including in the G20. They will work on the shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and discuss opportunities to expand and consolidate the Quad engagement.

World Hindu Congress 2023

Hindus are a 1.2 billion-strong community, comprising 16 percent of the world’s population with a presence in around 200 countries. Across the world, Hindus have been leaders and catalysts in all spheres of human endeavor including business, economy, education, governance, media, technology, and culture. The World Hindu Congress (WHC), a global platform and gathering of Dharmic leaders from around the world, will take place from November 24 – 26, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. These leaders will come together to organize and combine its energies for global welfare. The conference is held every four years.

The WHC enables all leaders, activists, thinkers, and influencers to come together and work towards a common vision. It provides a platform to connect, share ideas and inspire each other for the greater common good. The WHC has been a facilitator for the cultural, social, and material advancement of Hindus. The WHC is also a place where critical issues impacting Hindus worldwide are addressed. These include denial of human rights, discrimination, and physical and cultural assaults on the community.

The theme is “Jayasya Aayatanam Dharmaḥ,” meaning “Dharma, the Abode of Victory.” Seven parallel thematic conferences (Economy, Education, Media, Political, Women, Youth, and Organizations) to articulate the values, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Hindus will constitute this WHC. The conferences will provide space to discuss and deliberate challenges facing Hindus across the world and how to address them. These conferences will also focus on areas of strategic importance to Hindus and provide avenues for collaboration among Hindu leaders, activists, and thinkers.

Early bird registration ends on July 31, 2023.

Details: Worldhinducongress.org/events/whc-2023

IAAC Literary Festival 2023

The Indo-American Arts Council has announced its upcoming Literary Festival scheduled for November 2023. The organization will celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures of India through the written word, including works written by Indian and diaspora authors as well as those who have been inspired by the many facets of the country. Submission process is now open for published books of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama and children’s literature that illuminate this year’s theme “Courageously Creative.”

“We are looking for works that examine and showcase the beauty, challenges, complexity, diversity and richness of Indian culture and its relationship to society, history, politics, spirit and the human experience. We accept original works in the languages of India with English translations,” states the organization.

Chosen entries will be featured in New York City at an in-person event, with renowned and emerging voices. These interactive discussions will be complemented by a series of recorded programs that will be exclusively launched on the online platform.

The submission deadline for this year’s festival is June 15, 2023.

Interest in the IAAC Literary Festival has continued to garner international attention with its spotlight on topics such as Women’s Empowerment, Health & Wellness, Diversity, and Equity. IAAC has partnered with several prominent organizations such as Poets & Writers, Kundiman, and the Asian American Writers Workshop.

The only criteria besides a focus on India or work by an Indian or diaspora author is literary excellence.

The Indo-American Arts Council is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting, showcasing, and building an awareness of the arts and artists whose heritage lies in the Indian subcontinent in the performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, and folk arts. More details: iaac.us

Ajay Banga Selected 14th President of the World Bank

The Executive Directors of the World Bank in early May selected Ajay Banga as President of the World Bank for a five-year term beginning June 2, 2023.

Ajay Banga most recently served as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic. Previously, he was President and CEO of Mastercard. He was previously on the Boards of the American Red Cross, Kraft Foods, and Dow Inc.

The Board looks “forward to working with Mr. Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process, as discussed at the April 2023 Spring Meetings, and on all the World Bank Group’s ambitions and efforts aimed at tackling the toughest development challenges facing developing countries.”

Dances of India Celetrates 20th Anniversary

The Dances of India production, founded by Dr. Maha Ginrich of Charlotte, took place at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center on May 21, 2023. It featured more than 60 performers including current and former students. Program included Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, along with Folk Dances from India, Tibet and Ukraine.

Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia in Concert

The magical music of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain was on full display during a live performance that also featured banjoist Bela Fleck, double bassist Edgar Meyer and flutist Rakesh Chaurasia in Charlotte at the Blumenthal on April 30, 2023. The fusion of these diverse instruments, performed by masters of each instrument, sent the near sold-out crowd into musical ecstasy. The concert was co-sponsored by IPAAC (Indian Performing Arts Association of Charlotte). Carolinians have another chance to catch Zakir Hussain live, along with legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, in the groundbreaking group Shakti’s 50th anniversary tour at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, NC on August 27, 2023.

Raajeev continued from page 32 boys, our male dog and me! Growing up in a small town in Western India, away from the glamor of Bollywood and raised by middle-class overprotective conservative parents, she had learned to regard her beauty as a liability. Who does that? I may be biased but my impression of seeing goodlooking girls from big cities whether in India or in the US, is that they are hyper aware of their beauty and know how to use it to attract boys.

Knowing her background and knowing that this fashion show was mostly meant for the Indian community, I thought it would be a good way to cross that item off her bucket list. I didn’t ask her too many questions. I was busy with my own work, so I let her do her own things, occasionally listening to her stories and progress.

I could sense the excitement in her voice

For rehearsals, my wife made several trips to Cerritos, an hour drive from our house in no traffic. She told me she preferred to stay overnight at the Sheraton the night before the show. She said it would be too hectic going back and forth from our house. I offered that perhaps I could stay with her, but she preferred to stay by herself as she needed to concentrate. I was a bit puzzled. Concentrate on what? This was not a stand-up act where you must remember your setlist, your premises, punchlines, and transitions. This involved just walking on stage and making sure you didn’t trip and fall off the ramp. How hard could it be?

I have been married for over 25 years, so I knew it was better to not question her judgement and just acquiesce to her wishes.

On the day of the show, she called and told me that her makeup artist spent about 1.5 hours working on her face. She was very happy with the results. They also picked out a dress for her I could sense the excitement in her voice. I asked her if she could send me a picture, but she preferred to keep it a surprise.

I almost didn’t recognizer her

My sons and I arrived a couple of hours before the show. My wife told me she would meet me in the lobby. She also needed some help putting some of her belongings in the car. I was looking forward to seeing this new side of her. When I saw her, I almost didn’t recognize her. They did an elaborate make up, a combination of turquoise, pink and black color under the eyes. Her hair was curly. The dress was a montage of a blue, yellow, and red pattern on a polyester material. It was something I had not imagined it would be. In my mind, I thought she would be wearing a long traditional Indian-inspired dress, perhaps a floral lehenga or a churidar with an overflowing bright voluminous top.

I felt that she had more elegant and fashionable dresses at home. The makeup made her look like a peacock. In the video sketches that we put on social media, she does only minimal makeup all by herself and in my opinion, she looks a lot better. Sometimes less is more. I quickly put a check on my incongruent thoughts, reminding myself that I was not doing a comedy show.

She seemed to be brimming with happiness and excitement — that was good enough for me. Afterall, what do I know about fashion trends? In the fashion show hall, the designer was there showcasing his dresses. I found most of the colors were dull.

I have a strong preference for Punjabi-influenced style that has a little bit of extravagance. Still, I chatted a bit with the designer, praising his creativity.

My wife was walking with an attiude

Just before the show, I prayed for my wife’s success on the ramp. I prayed that she wouldn’t trip on the ramp and her 45-second walk would go smoothly and gracefully. Unlike a comedy show, I didn’t know what to expect or what the metrics of success would be. Her walk put my worries to rest. I saw it through my Cannon SLR camera shooting stills, while my eldest son was doing the recording. The organizers had told all the models not to smile while on the ramp. My wife was walking with an attitude! A good blend of confidence, beauty and grace. A bit bolder choice of dress and makeup than I would have preferred but still very fashionable.

After the show, many of her family and friends complemented her on her stellar performance, her dress and the unique choice of makeup. Later she posted her picture and the video on her social media which got many accolades from friends and acquaintances.

Several days after the show, I sensed a strange kind of satisfaction in her. Here was a project that she completed all by herself, with minimal intervention from anyone. I imagined if were living in India, she would have to get permission from the in-laws and all my immediate and extended family. Here she was free.

It was a moment of metamorphosis for both of us

I was so proud of her! She had finally done something for her own happiness. She has raised three wonderful boys and put up with an idiosyncratic husband for 25 years, always putting their happiness before her own. This time she did something significant only for herself. It was a solo flight. No directions, no suggestions, no co-pilot. Not even me. I also realized that it was a moment of metamorphosis for both of us.

For her, coming out in the open like a free butterfly, breaking the shell of pupa, its tissues hardened with years of selfless commitments and responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.

For me, it was finally having wisdom after years of trials and errors to give her carte blanche to choose activities for herself. The activities that her heart says are intuitively right and have promise of instant gratification and long-lasting happiness of her own.

It was on that night, the rest of the audience got to see all the beauty I have always seen in her!

Raajeev Aggerwhil is a Los Angeles-based comedian. Follow him on Instagram @raajeevcomedy

To see his videos on YouTube, search for his name.

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