India Day 2008: Celebrating Indian Independence - IAGB's Annual Showcase of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity at Boston's Hatch Shell/Esplanade

India Day 2008: IAGB's Annual Showcase of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity at Boston's Hatch Shell/Esplanade

Click here or on the below photo to see a slideshow of photos from India Day 2007

BOSTON, Aug 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Boston's Hatch Memorial Shell/Esplanade on Storrow Drive in Boston is all set to come alive on Sunday, August 17, 2008, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. with the upcoming India Day 2008, a free, spectacular cultural event. About 500 dancers, singers and musicians will enthrall an expected 15,000 people with a diverse selection of vibrant performances showcasing the rich traditions, culture and heritage of India.

The occasion is the commemoration of the 61st anniversary of India's independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, hosted by India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB).

"The celebration of the independence of the world's largest democracy in the heart of Boston, the "cradle of liberty," will be an enjoyable and memorable family event. We expect over 15,000 people to attend this year," said IAGB President Rita Shah.
"The prime attraction is the cultural program presented by talented local performers. It will include: colorful and vibrant dance numbers, music items, Bollywood dances, traditional, regional and modern folk dances, as well as classical dance styles like Bharatanatyam and Odissi, and high-energy folk dances like the Garba, Gidda and Bhangra."

Indian food will be available for purchase. In addition, several Indian American organizations will set up informational booths on the lawns. Activities will range from henna paintings to complimentary health check ups by the Indian Medical Association of New England, to activities by the Museum of Science.

"India Day is IAGB's flagship annual event, made possible by the sheer dedication and hard work of its volunteers. The result of their efforts is a scintillating program and the perfect venue for the area's entire Indian American community to get together and celebrate its deep cultural roots and India's beautiful heritage," said IAGB Vice President Mohan Dali.

A five-member cultural committee led by Chairperson Ganesh Davuluri and supported by the 16-member executive committee has been working diligently for months to produce the event.

About IAGB
The India Association of Greater Boston has been serving the Indian American community in the Greater Boston area since 1962. Its mission is to preserve and foster Indian culture, and to strengthen Indo-American friendship.

SOURCE: India Association of Greater Boston
Press Contact: Ganesh Davuluri

Boston celebrates India Independence Day 2007 by India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)

This year's India Day 2007 in Boston celebrating the anniversary of India's Independence Day attracted a crowd of above 17000 people.

More photos from the event are available at my photo blog titled Boston Dance Arangetram photogrpahy by Ganesh Davuluri

Complete details of the event below:


The India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) hosted its annual India Day event, a showcase of the unique ethnic and cultural diversity of India, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m . on Sunday, August 12, 2007. This year's celebration held a special significance as it is the 60th anniversary of India's independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.
The celebration of the independence of the world's largest democracy was a grand night of lively Indian entertainment for family and friends. "A record number of 17000 people turned out at the event this year," said M. Rajinikanth, the President of IAGB, "A lot of people came up to me to compliment the performers and the IAGB team saying the event is getting better by the year".

The central attraction was a highly entertaining and enthralling cultural program presented by about 320 exuberant dancers in spectacular ehtnic costumes, 40 vibrant singers and a bevy of gifted musicians from the many highly talented arts groups in the Greater Boston area. Items presented included a grand presentation of colorful and vibrant dance numbers and rich music items featuring Bollywood, Indian classical, traditional and modern folk art forms from India's diverse regions and the high-energy bhangra styles.

"This event exceeded all my expectations and overwhelmed me. Even my 1-year grandson was so excited and was responding to the numbers. The scale and richness of the event exceeds some comparable events that we only get to see on the TV, even back in India!!", exclaimed a visibly happy Mrs. Mishra, a grandparent visiting her son Mr. Mohit Mishra, daughter-in-law and a newborn grandson.

A wide variety of mouthwatering, sumptuous, spicy Indian food from popular restaurants in the area was available for purchase. A large number of Indian American organizations in the Boston area have set up informational booths on the lawns presenting various interests and activities ranging from ethnic crafts like Henna paintings to Yoga information booths to complimentary health check ups by the IMANE, to children's activities by the Museum of Science.

"IAGB succeeds due to the dedication and hard work of its volunteer officers and because of continued enthusiastic support from the community. On occasions such as these, the entire community can get together to celebrate its beautiful heritage," said Vinod Chungi, Vice President, IAGB.

The event brought in the nostalgia among the crowd and thrilled them, as evident from the huge amount of participation from the visiting public and the unending rounds of cheers and applause after each item.

The IAGB has been serving the Indian American community in the Greater Boston area since 1962. Its mission is to preserve and foster Indian culture. More details at India Association of Greater Boston's website (http://www.iagb.org/Site).