E-Paper
Diplomacy under Indian umbrella
The month long 2nd Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival at the Oakland Asian Cultural Centre (OACC) showcasing India's myriad facets, opened in Oakland, writes Shalini Narang.
The month long 2nd Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival at the Oakland Asian Cultural Centre (OACC) opened on Saturday, April 30th afternoon with the Cultural Traditions of India.
The celebration not only showcased the myriad facets of Indian arts performing, culinary and design, but also depicted a cross community collaboration of sorts. The fair commenced the festivities to mark the Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month of May.
The first of its kind, a full-fledged Indian festival in a core Chinese neighbourhood in Oakland, California, came as a welcome surprise and hopefully a continuing trend on the lines of growing international diplomacy between India and China.
The attendees included a diverse mix of Chinese, Caucasian Americans, Indians and others.
Anne Huang, the Executive Director of Oakland Asian Cultural Centre says, "Though we have held a few Indian events at OACC before, this is the first time we have held a complete Indian festival to build a bridge between Indo- Americans and the local Chinese community by bringing the Indian cultural traditions to Oakland's China town."
This is one of the few South Asian functions, in which I have seen such a diverse range of audience. The melting pot that is United States was truly visible in the varied audience profile. The inter community people to people interaction via social and cultural events is a mirror to global unity at a micro level and a pleasure to perceive.
The lobby of the centre featured various hands on activities ranging from henna application, sari wrapping demonstration and a display of decorative design forms of Rangoli and Kolam. Colouring sheets and rice paste were provided to enthusiasts to replicate the patterns.
Women and children waited patiently for their turn at the table for henna application of intricate and beautiful designs.
The station showcasing the gastronomic delights of India included the quintessential samosas, the appetizing pakoras, mouth-watering Gulab Jamuns and other sweets and savories.
I think it would be appropriate to say that what noodles are to Chinese fare and pasta to Italian cuisine, samosas are to Indian culinary art. The fried favorite, despite its dubious status on the food pyramid is a hot favourite of one and all and has carved a proverbial niche on the plate of the lovers of Indian palate.
The panorama of the rich and distinct performing arts of India was presented via traditional and folk-dance performances. The time honoured Kathak and Bharatnatyam presentations complemented the energetic and enthusiastic Bhangra and Garba dances.
Before each presentation, a dancer from the group succinctly explained the historical and geographical origins and other pertinent details about the dance form.
The danseuses of all the four styles not only mesmerised the audience with superlative performances but also stepped down from the podium after the formal presentation and demonstrated the dance steps and the accompanying hand and arm motions.
The innovative style of inciting audience involvement via explanation of the facial expressions, the hands and feet motions of the dances was very well received and reciprocated by the audience.
While some people tried the myriad hand gestures showed by Bharatnatyam danseuse Nitya Ventateswaran, to depict a tree, fire, water, river, temple or universal emotions like anger, fright, courage, strength and surprise, the others tried to shake a leg on the Bhangra beats or/and the Dandia Raas.
The DholRhythms Bhangra group taught the simple and supple motions of the high energy and upbeat dance style that is steadily gaining popularity as an exercise regimen in gyms across the United States.
The informal demonstration of Dandia Raas by University of Berkley's Satrang troupe integrated almost all the onlookers and soon the verve and vitality of the folk dance turned the auditorium to a field in Gujarat during Navratri.
From jiving on the Bhangra beats to circling on the Garba tunes, the active participation of the onlookers was a sight to behold. The smorgasbord of activities insured that everybody took a little bit of India with them.
The Indian festivities at the centre would continue with a Kathak dance performance by Pandit Chitresh Das Dance Company on May 21st. Pandit Chitresh Das holds the distinction of having established the largest Kathak dance academy in North America.
An exhibit of Kathak costumes would also be displayed for six months in the galleries of the centre from May 7th.
Indians and Chinese are two of the largest immigrant communities in United States. Mutual interest in each other's culture and heritage is a great beginning hopefully moving towards lasting friendship.
