78th IACA Festival of India: A Celebration of Culture and Unity
The 78th Festival of India was held on August 17, 2024, at the grand Gas South Arena on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, Georgia. The event, organized by the Indian American Cultural Association (IACA), was a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and heritage. For the grand opening, the stage was filled with IACA officeholders and invited guests. It was a happy occasion that saw Indians living in Greater Atlanta pay homage to both the American and Indian national anthems. The finalists from “Atlanta Has Talent” rendered the anthems with clear voices and great fervor, kindling the lamp of unity in diversity, a spirit synonymous with the Indian value of inclusivity.
[Left] 78th IACA Festival of India was a celebration of culture and unity.
The opening ceremony was followed by a stunning fashion show, where participants in resplendent white sarees and ethnic wear captivated the audience. The colors of the Indian flag—saffron, white, and green—added to the ambiance. Dancers in bright costumes flitted across the hall in eye-catching ensembles, delighting everyone with performances that included Manipuri, Kuchipudi, tribal dances, and traditional Gujarati dances accompanied by dhols.
[Right] Bollywood actor Jayaprada addressed the audience.
The culinary offerings were a highlight of the festival with people enjoying a wide array of delicious cuisines. There were samosas and kachoris from Punjab, biryanis from Hyderabad, idlis from Madras, and vada pav from Mumbai. Attendees lined up for masala chai and freshly-squeezed sugarcane juice, adding to the festive atmosphere. People had time to stop, chat, and take pictures with friends.
Through the bustling stalls were people shopping for a variety of items to bring a touch of Indian culture into their homes. It was remarkable to see how much more accessible Indian items have become in America and are now enjoyed by mainstream consumers as well. Booths were selling everything from jhumkas, embroidered juttis, and shimmering capes to embroidered shawls and hand-woven, hand-painted Kalamkari sarees. There were “diamond” hoops to brighten your aura, and stalls offering diyas, idols, and paintings of gods to brighten the home temples. There were also Bibles and handouts from the Tamil Church, Ayurvedic potions and lotions, ready-to-eat snacks, and various freebies for attendees. Children enjoyed face painting, chess, drawing competitions, and debates. A booth to raise awareness about employment discrimination was also available.
The Festival saw a myriad range of cultural performances.
One of the standout moments of this cultural extravaganza was spotting a few Indian Americans who are breaking away from the traditional career paths favored by many in the Indian community, such as IT, medicine, and engineering, to venture into politics, law, and financial planning.
The young and keen Ashwin Ramaswamy, who is running for Senate, was also present. His foray into public service is truly inspiring. Narender Reddy, who is running for Georgia State House District 50, was also at the event.
There were other events planned like the Women’s Forum and discussions affecting the wellbeing of the community.
Overall, the 78th annual Festival of India was a well organized, joyous celebration of Indian culture and heritage bringing together the community in a joyous display of unity, tradition, and progress made by the Indian diaspora.
— Monita Soni
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