Florida News
INDIA HERITAGE DISPLAYED DURING ST. PETE INTERNATIONAL FOLK FAIR
Volunteers of India Culture, Art, Science Society (VICAS) showcased India's heritage during the 48th annual St. Pete International Folk Fair recently in St. Petersburg. The Indian Pavilion showcased sports, culture, arts and cuisine with the flag flying high. The SPIFFS board selected sports and games from various cultures at this year's fair theme. They also selected the word “teamwork” for visitors to learn in multiple languages. India's sports and games, including field hockey, cricket, soccer and indigenous games like Kabbaddi, Lezim, Gillidanda, Latu, carrom board, chess, Ludo, chaupar, Chaturanga and Pallanguzhi, etc., were displayed for the audience. Several posters and artifacts depicted heritage, culture, art and science related India/Bharat as a part of the exhibit.
Mouthwatering dishes like chicken curry, biriyani, goat curry, gobi manchurian, jeera rice, chhole, naan, gulab jamun, rasgulla and masala chai were enjoyed by visitors. An ethnic henna tattoo hand designs by artist Zohra attracted several fair growers. VICAS promoted sustainability through a plant sale in collaboration with a local Lithia berry farm nursery. Musicians Prabhat and Ameya performed Indian folk music on harmonium and tabla. A dance show by an Indian group on the central stage accompanied by vibrant props and costumes wowed spectators. VICAS joined the international parade, wearing vibrant attire and playing Lezim to chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jay.”
Contact Dr. Rajiv Sahay at (727) 488-4001 or email [email protected] to join VICAS.
KARVA CHAUTH MEHNDI EVENT HELD IN TAMPA
Another successful Karva Chauth mehndi event was held Oct. 30 in the New Tampa area. Organized by Ritu Sharma (owner of Taj Indian Cuisine in Tampa) and group, this is the 10th anniversary of the event.
Originally started from Sharma’s home with about 20 ladies and one mehndi artist, numbers have reached nearly 150 ladies with nine mehndi artists to decorate hands for the much- awaited Karva Chauth festival every year. There were several group and solo dance performances, too, to celebrate the day on which married women fast from sunrise to dark for the longevity of their husbands. There was a $26 entrance fee, which included dinner from Taj Indian Cuisine in Tampa.
Sharma can be reached at (813) 300-2585 for more information.
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By NITISH S. RELE and SHEPHALI J. RELE
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