IAM Cultural Identity Program

Connect India - We were able to organize a Consular camp as part of Connect India initiative to bring Indian community together. All partner organizations came together for outreach and organizing. This benefitted all Minnesotans - we had Indian Consulate team from Chicago in Minneapolis for a day to offer various consular services like visa, passport, etc.https://conta.cc/3OgmbyZ

Non-violence day - https://conta.cc/3VkpIQT
https://conta.cc/3GCTucs
Exhibit booths at Indiafest - https://conta.cc/3zNbrDx
BAM - Durga Puja, which is central to the Fall Cultural Festival in Bengal, has been recognized by UNESCO andinscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. This list ismaintained in order to ensure better visibility of the intangible cultural heritage and awareness of its significance,and to encourage dialogue which respects cultural diversity.
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/durga-puja-inscribed-unesco-represen…
MMA - Onam is a harvest festival celebrated soon after the monsoon season in Kerala. Celebrating thehomecoming of the beloved King Mahabali, Onam is regarded as the most significant festival of Kerala. Observed duringthe Malayalam month of Chingam, Onam is a ten-day festival that is celebrated by every Keralite irrespective of caste andreligion with great enthusiasm. On Onam celebration day, we will have a sumptuous, luxurious Onasadya! (Keralavegetarian meal). Thereafter we have Kerala onam special performance, a special chendamelam (Kerala drum beat) fromOmakaram team and cultural performances from our community members.
MATA - Bonalu- is a cultural festival celebrated in Telangana area in the month of "July" and "August". Bonam isnothing but a meal or feast to the mother goddess, and the food prepared and served to whole communitynot only from Telangana state but also for everyone.
SILC - Activities- SILC planned & ran the Indiafest 2022 Activity booth where we showcased a variety of games and highlighted different aspects of Indian culture. Henna, Face Painting, Chess, Carrom, Minar Game. Hosted a treasure hunt that encouraged attendees to visit various cultural booths and learn more aboutIndia. This was a major success which helped increase people's awareness and appreciation for Indianculture & traditions
GSMN - The Navaratri event is a cultural dance festival celebrated with colorful outfits, music, danceand food for nine nights. The festival brings many diverse groups and communities together toparticipate and celebrate our culture.; This report is since our interim report. This is for year 2023. Our main events were IndiaFest 2023 and Dhanyawad Volunteer Appreciation event 2023. Both these events reflect the 50th anniversary celebration,

IndiaFest was attended by 20,000 people at the State Capitol Grounds. Metro Transit is a partner and provides 6000 rides so people from all over the Twin cities can attend this FREE event and learn about Indian arts, culture, traditions and heritage and of course some scrumptious food. We have 30 performances by hundreds of artists, both professional and amateurs. The MHC grant allows up to pay for some of those artists. IF is attended by many elected officials from both sides of the aisle and is a very enjoyable day full of fun and activities. It is the best way to Experience India in One day! It is a well publicized event. We are are interviewed in various TV channels and Newspapers. The artists get a lot of visibility through this event. Most local artists in MN have always performed in Indiafest over several years.
distinguished by certain characteristics that make them unique and attractive:
Celebration: festivals like IndiaFest are occasions of celebration, where people come together to enjoy, have fun and share experiences.
Diversity: IndiaFest encompasses a wide range of activities and artistic expressions, ranging from music, dance, comedy and theatre to gastronomy and folk traditions.
Participation: IndiaFest actively involves the community and participants through attendance, interaction and participation in various activities.
Festive atmosphere: IF has a VERY festive and joyful atmosphere, where people can enjoy live music, visual performances and exciting activities.
Cultural identity: IndiaFest and Dhayawad is rooted in the cultural identity of a community or region, and serve to preserve and promote its traditions and heritage.

We were able to have our year-end Gratitude event Dhanyawaad where we bring in local artists/musicians. 250 people attended the event. This increases visibility for the artists and Indian Music and also increases IAM membership and brings new people into IAM and engages them to serve the community. The events spans all generations and provides tremendous joy to many through music and dance. This event was all over social media an the artists were well marketed. This has also resulted in new engagements for the artists. 2023 was IAM's 50th anniversary. The Dhanyawad event gave the Indian community and its artists visibility to the greater Minnesota art culture.