By A STAFF REPORTER
SAN DIEGO, CA - The San Diego Indian American Society held its annual cultural festival “Unity in Diversity” to a packed Poway Center for the Performing Arts on Mar. 29. The “Festival of World Dances,” show drew more than 700 people and featured over 200 local talent representing various regions of India...
SAN DIEGO, CA - The San Diego Indian American Society held its annual cultural festival “Unity in Diversity” to a packed Poway Center for the Performing Arts on Mar. 29. The “Festival of World Dances,” show drew more than 700 people and featured over 200 local talent representing various regions of India...
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and other countries. The show’s theme centered around the five elements — earth, water, fire, wind and space — and every group’s recital reflected at least one of them.
The colorful event was headlined by Chief Guest, Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok, the Consul General of India at San Francisco and Guest of Honor, Nimmi Raghunthan, Editor, India Journal, both of who spoke briefly lauding the organizers and participants for showcasing their cultural roots.SDIAS president Dr.Inder Verma and founder, executive director and the force behind many an activity in San Diego, Dr.M.C.Madhavan made quick appearances on stage, leaving the spotlight to the performers.
After this it was veritable treat of amateur and professional talent that included Indian classical dance forms as well as unique folk dances. A Bollywood style musical, bhangra beats and hip-hop which easily entwined classical and western forms also drew appreciation from the audience.
That a lot of planning had gone into the event was clear. There were color coordinated costumes and splendid choreography. Ram Seshan who was introduced to the audience, was the director of the show which moved seamlessly from one presentation to the next. The non-Indian performances by an Irish group, Korean drum and fan dancers and African drums from Ghana took the audience’s breath away. At the top of the program, a short video featuring the activities over the years of The San Diego Indian American Society was played. It clearly displayed the growth of the group, its association with luminaries and its deep ties to the greater San Diego area. It’s massive Diwali celebrations and the Gandhi Scholarship Fund, which awards outstanding San Diego high school graduates, being two of the more well known.
The colorful event was headlined by Chief Guest, Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok, the Consul General of India at San Francisco and Guest of Honor, Nimmi Raghunthan, Editor, India Journal, both of who spoke briefly lauding the organizers and participants for showcasing their cultural roots.SDIAS president Dr.Inder Verma and founder, executive director and the force behind many an activity in San Diego, Dr.M.C.Madhavan made quick appearances on stage, leaving the spotlight to the performers.
After this it was veritable treat of amateur and professional talent that included Indian classical dance forms as well as unique folk dances. A Bollywood style musical, bhangra beats and hip-hop which easily entwined classical and western forms also drew appreciation from the audience.
That a lot of planning had gone into the event was clear. There were color coordinated costumes and splendid choreography. Ram Seshan who was introduced to the audience, was the director of the show which moved seamlessly from one presentation to the next. The non-Indian performances by an Irish group, Korean drum and fan dancers and African drums from Ghana took the audience’s breath away. At the top of the program, a short video featuring the activities over the years of The San Diego Indian American Society was played. It clearly displayed the growth of the group, its association with luminaries and its deep ties to the greater San Diego area. It’s massive Diwali celebrations and the Gandhi Scholarship Fund, which awards outstanding San Diego high school graduates, being two of the more well known.
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