Visions of India hosted by Fulton County Arts & Culture and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
[Left] Participating artists at the Visions of India Show. In the picture: Malika Ghosh Garrett, Aalia Garrett, Rina Datta Chakravorty, Dinesh Sharma, Paromita Ghosh, Sadhana Windlass, Shilpi Chaudhary, Jaya Saksena, Monika Sharma, Aditi Chakrabarty, Srijan Srivastava, Nisha Gupta, Ruma Das, Monika Mittal, Rajita Tiphawajala, Binal Maheshwary, Chaitali Nadkarni, Geetaa Buttan, Sarika Jaswani.
Atlanta’s cultural panorama recently bloomed with vibrant colors of Indian heritage as Fulton County Arts & Culture (FACE) proudly presented the group exhibition, “Visions of India.”
Running from September 15 to October 31, 2023, this six-week celebration showcased the talents of 19 Indian artists from the Atlanta area, creating an artistic homage to their rich cultural roots. The brainchild of local artist Malika Ghosh Garrett, who has been tirelessly working each year to provide a platform for artists of the Indian Diaspora in Atlanta, “Visions of India” became a reality through collaboration with David Manuel,
Director of the Department of Arts & Culture at Fulton County. The show was curated by Nancy Livengood, Public Art Conservator.
[Right] An Indian dance performance at the event.
This exhibition provided an intimate journey into the personal and artistic narratives of the featured artists. Spanning across both the Assemble and Peachtree Galleries in the Fulton County Government Center, the collection formed a vivid tapestry capturing the essence of India’s diverse culture and artistic expression. The grand opening on September 15 in the Atrium of the Fulton County Government Center was a spectacular event. The Opening Reception featured classical Indian music, delectable food, and a captivating fashion show titled “The History of the Saree,” choreographed by Swati Thakur. This fashion showcase seamlessly transitioned into the Fulton County Fashion Art Culture & Education (FACE) 2023 Experience— an approximately 40- day cultural art extravaganza with a special emphasis on high fashion, reinforcing the county’s commitment to nurturing and promoting the arts.
[Top] Ustad Amjab Ali Khan (center) performing with Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash.
As patrons wandered through the Assemble and Peachtree Galleries, they found themselves immersed in a visual journey transcending borders, telling a story of identity, tradition, and the universal language of art. Malika Garrett said, “Visions of India is not just an exhibition; it’s a celebration—an ode to the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture that adds a splash of color to the cultural landscape of Atlanta.” Notably, the exhibition was open to the public throughout its run, emphasizing inclusivity and community engagement throughout Fulton County.
[Left] Anita Aysola performs at the event.
Beyond the exhibit, Malika collaborated with Erin Jones, Director of Sales & Audience Development of The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), to extend the “Visions of India” celebrations as part of the 40 days of the celebration of the arts. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of “Folk Tales, Ragas and Lost Love” featuring Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (sarod), Lidiya Yankovskaya (conductor), Amaan Ali Bangash (sarod), Ayaan Ali Bangash (sarod) and Shane Shanahan (percussion), in conjunction with the festival, further enriched the experience. Attendees enjoyed various activities, including artist displays, henna art stations, dance performances, mandala art stations, vendor booths, and delicious food options. This collaboration served as a perfect complement to the group exhibit, bringing the diverse aspects of Indian culture to life and providing an immersive experience that went beyond the gallery walls. “Visions of India” stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, cultural celebration, and the unifying force of art in enriching the community’s spirit.
[L to R] Shane Shanahan, Amaan Ali Bangash, Erin Jones, Malika Garrett, Lidiya Yankovskaya, Ustad Amjad ALi Khan, Ayaan Ali Bangash, Fahim Siddiqui
The event featured artist display by Malika Ghosh Garrett, henna artist stations by Farhat’s Henna Art, Henna Rubina and Arzoo, Jaipuri dancing by Jathiswara School of Dance, Mandala art station by Shashikala Foundation, food by TABLA Midtown, floral arrangements by Vivek Flowers, interactive instrument booth by ASO, and a free after-party featuring desserts from Gokul Sweet, musician meet and greet, and live music and entertainment by Anita Aysola.
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