India American Cultural Association (IACA) organized its
signature gala 13th annual Festival of India, to celebrate
India’s 62nd Independence Day, at the Gwinnett Center on
Saturday, August 15, 2009.
The theme of the Festival this year was to fuse together the
spirit and heritage of Indian community’s land of origin (India)
with the adopted land (USA). This was accomplished by the “Flame
of Independence” kick off at the Gandhi Statue, near the
M.L.K.Jr.National Historic Site and King Center. The event was
presented in partnership with Gandhi Foundation USA (GFUSA),
National Park Service, King Center, Vibha and various other
community organizations “This year the symbolic flame has taken
on a historic role linking American Independence with Indian
Independence and beginning at the historic site that embodies
the Civil Rights Movement” said FOI Program Director, Padma
Rallapalli. IACA along with GFUSA was honored to receive the
Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council at the Council
Meeting on July 6. After the “Flame of Independence” was
ceremoniously lit by Padma Rallapalli and King Center’s Mr.
Farris, it traveled from the Gandhi Statue to East Cobb, Johns
Creek, Lilburn and Jonesboro over a five week period and was
received amidst patriotic fervor and jubilation at the Gwinnett
Center in a grand finale.
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Booths in the Main Hall:
According to FOI’s seasoned ,stalwart Committee member, Chand
Akkineni, who had his own booth,’IT JOB Café’, despite economic
downturn all the 60 booths were taken up by vendors selling
Indian apparel, jewelry, toys and games(Cricket even ! ),
insurance, travel, medical, Cable and money transfer services,
etc.;not-for-profit religious and professional membership
Organizations ,and media outlets. Atlanta’s popular
Madras Grill, Sarvana Bhavan, Moksha, Udipi Café Restaurants did
brisk business selling mouthwatering food and beverages. The
booth-renters were happy that the stage for the ‘Cultural Show’
was also in the same hall as it drew more public to the booths.
The Cultural Show: This year’s riveting and mammoth Show from
9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. showcased talents of about 150
participants, dressed in colorful Indian costumes. The day
opened with a prayer and song from the Prajna group. This was
followed by melodious singing by Sujatha Rayburn and team. The
items with Classical component in it were a treat to listen to.
Throughout the day, young performers presented a mix of
Bollywood, traditional folk and fusion dances, songs, Comedy;
martial arts and game shows. There were innovative items like
‘family gol maal’ and ‘Anthakshari’ and the “So you think you
can dance”. Bollywood Quiz competitions were a huge hit. The
whole program was confidently emceed by Pallavi, Pooja, Neha,
Anu and Krishnaveni. The hugely entertaining spectacle ended
with an open karaoke session. The Cultural Show area was
jam-packed by appreciative and admiring public, who applauded
several captivating folk dances including , Lambadi,
scintillating Raas by GA Tech team; and Oriya;pulsating beats of
high voltage bhangra by UGA team ;the veena ensemble and the
classical Hindustani and patriotic songs. Kudos to the cultural
committee team of Anu Nathan, Nivedita Garabadu and Atlanta’s
well known performing arts promoter Syam Yellamraju.
The Festival was graced by the presence of Atlanta’s leading
public dignitaries. In the morning, IACA, Board of Directors
Chairman,Surinder Bahl escorted Councilman Mr. Kwanza
Hall,(Atlanta City Council, District 2),Judy Forte,(National
Park Service), and Doug Shipman(Executive Director, Center for
Civil & Human Rights around the hall. Kwanza Hall commented,” It
means a lot for the City of Atlanta to have a meaningful and
fruitful partnership with IACA.” Doug Shipman remarked, “The
American Civil Rights Movement would not have happened without
inspiration from the Indian Independence movement,” and assured
that he would do his best to nurture the partnership with IACA.
GFUSA Chairman, Subash Razdan, Executive Director Antony
Thaliath, Secretary Dr.K.V.Thrivikraman, and Board of Directors,
Viren Mayani also attended. The following dignitaries at the
Festival were bestowed with "Friends of India (FOI)" award for
their support to the Indian community by participating in the
Independence Torch ceremonies in their respective counties.After
thanking IACA for the Awards,each awardee commented briefly:
Doug Shipman - Executive Director of Center for Civil and Human
Rights,who said, “The American Civil Rights Movement would not
have happened without inspiration from the Indian Independence
movement,” and assured that he would do his best to nurture the
partnership with IACA.
Sam Olens - Chairman - Cobb County Board of Commissioners,
commented, “The community and country are stronger when we work
together.”
Diana Preston - Mayor of Lilburn, said she was very happy to
attend the Festival, “I have had the opportunity to know more
about Indian culture,food ,traditions and values. The school
system has brought in wonderful students from your community and
I know that with them, our future is secure.”
Greg Pridgeon - Chief of Staff to Atlanta Mayor Franklin,
congratulated the IACA for hosting the Festival and assured the
attendees, “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with the
Indian community for many years, and will continue to do so.”
Josephine Tan - Chairperson, Asian American Commission for A New
Georgia, said, “I speak on behalf of Gov.Sonny Perdue. The
Indian American community is one of the best communities we have
worked with. We look forward to working with you in future.”
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Kid Fest:
The children were kept engaged and entertained by Devanand
Kondur and Leena Joshi. In addition to activities like bead
making, lemon and spoon races, and quiz competitions. there were
art competitions, handwriting and essay competitions.
Leena Joshi runs ‘Theme Works’ Creative Arts Classes for Kids
and Adults at Alpharetta and Global Mall locations conducted an
Arts Competition for Children of three Age Groups. The winners
and Prizes were:
Winner in 1st group Ages 6, 7
1st-Shijini Das and Avanti- 4 art classes FREE
2nd-Oneeka and Sacheeta-3 art classes FREE
3rd-Shivani and Ayesha-2 art classes FREE
Winner in 2nd group Ages 8,9,10
1st-Harshit Garla-4 art classes FREE
2nd- Sravya-3 art classes FREE
3rd-Anushka-2 art classes FREE
Winner in 3rd group Ages 11 and 12
1st- Sohil Shamsunder and Shweta Bhat-4 art classes FREE
2nd-Omkar Mayur-3 art classes FREE
3rd- Shivangi Das and Varsha Gokre-2 art classes FREE
Rebecca Kelly, Co-Founder of The Cat’s Meow (TCM), a Life
Enrichment Center, conducted an Essay Competition. The winner
was Devneet Singh, who is in 5th Grade, Mason Elementary School,
Duluth, Georgia, for her Essay,” What a Peacock means to me”.
Like last year, Chand Akkineni was assigned ‘fund raising’ while
Paddy Sharma and Tushar Sanghvi handled the booths. The
Registration Team under Vishal Mehta did an excellent job.
Padma Rallapalli thanked all the sponsors, IACA Board and
Executive Committee; FOI Committee and Sanatan Mandir Committee
members, Gwinnett Center Team, Vibha and ACS, Vendors,
volunteers and participants for making the Festival a huge
success. Chand Akkineni exhorted all to support IACA’s India
Center comprising of an auditorium and banquet hall to
accommodate 700-800 people, and to also support the fundraiser
"Rhythms of India” planned on September 6 in Robert Ferst
Center.
The Festival of India, which began in 1997 under long-serving
and committed IACA Office-bearers, Chand Akkineni, Ani Agnihotri,
and Paddy Sharma, has now become a much anticipated and
appreciated annual event, providing an invaluable glimpse into
the rich and vibrant culture and heritage of India to Atlanta’s
fast growing young Indian generation as well as to the
mainstream communities. No surprise, over 5,000 people attended
the Festival this year’s memorable event.
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