US Indians Celebrating 200 years of immigration from India

mangaloretoday.com/ DHNS

Washington, Feb 26, 2014, DHNS: From workers who built some of America’s first railways in the West to the creator of Hotmail, a new exhibition here showcases the contributions made by Indian Americans to the country’s culture beyond Bollywood.

From workers who built some of America’s first  railways in the West to the creator of Hotmail, a new exhibition here  showcases the contributions made by Indian Americans to the country’s  culture beyond Bollywood.

 

 

In seven sections spread over 5,000-square feet, "Beyond Bollywood: Indian  Americans Shape the Nation" explores over 200 years’ history of Indian  immigration, their spiritual and religious influences, and their  achievements in academics, science and sports.

Mounted by Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Centre, at the National  Museum of Natural History, it also takes a close look at Indian Americans’  contributions to art, food, music and dance.

The first-of-its-kind exhibition will be on display for a year in  Washington and then travel to museums, libraries and community centers in  15 cities across the country through the Smithsonian Institution Traveling  Exhibition Service for five years.

 

 

"We chose the title and the theme Beyond Bollywood very intentionally to  attract visitors and suggest that we intended to go beyond stereotypes,"  said curator Masum Momaya, who developed the content.

Though its colour and design draw on Bollywood aesthetics, "My intention  as a curator has been to focus on cultural, political and professional  contributions that Indian immigrants and Indian Americans have made to  shaping US history," she said.

 

 

 

A focal point of the exhibition is a dress by Indian-American designer  Naeem Khan worn by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House’s  Governors Dinner in 2012.

Other highlights include the 1985 National Spelling Bee trophy awarded to  the first Indian American winner, Balu Natarajan and Mohini Bhardwaj’s 2004 Olympic Silver Medal for gymnastics.

"The vibrant life, culture and history of immigrants from India and Indian  Americans is the story of America," said Konrad Ng, director of the  Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Centre noting one in hundred Americans  has an India connection.

Told through captivating images, music, visual art, and first-person  narratives, the exhibition features Indian Americans’ migration  experiences, working lives, political struggles and cultural and religious  contributions .

Topics covered include: early (late 1800s-1900s) immigrant experiences,  struggles for citizenship in the first half of the 20th century,  professional contributions from the 1960s and beyond, organising for  labour rights, women’s rights and labour rights.

Public programmes include performances featuring Indian American art,  comedy, cuisine, dance, film, television, literature and music.

The Centre will also offer online education curriculum and an opportunity   for individuals to share their family stories through a digital portal.