News Notes
Story and Photos By Sanjana Mishra
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 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 life-sized peacock and a recreation of the Thanjavur Temple), and even miniature cultural dresses from different regions of India modeled on Barbie dolls.
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, in one word: vibrant. It provides 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 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 all at once.
