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Over 1,500 Attend Arts Of India Exhibition

Nitish S Rele in Tampa

It was the first-ever Arts of India Exhibition in the Tampa Bay area. And, it was a resounding success going from the crowds that thronged India Cultural Center.

The November 12 event attracted more than 1,500 curious people to check out the varied displays of arts of India. "This is a very nice exhibition," said Lata Kumar who was one of the inquisitive onlookers along with her husband S M Kumar. "We should hold more such art and cultural functions in the Tampa Bay area."

Among the competition and display items were rangoli, mehndi on the hands and feet, paintings of Indian heritage (which also included children from five to 12 years of age), cooking from different parts of the country, bridal hairstyling and puja/arti plate decorations.

There were non-competition entries in the wedding and sari displays, and arts and crafts from states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Food and jewelry stalls were set up too.

The daylong exhibition offered slide shows that gave visual tour of various arts and historical places of India. Also on the agenda were several fashion shows with themes that gave onlookers ample opportunity to catch glimpses of current fashions and traditional styling.

One of the fashion shows presented was by kids dressed as different Hindu gods and goddesses. Then there were shows, which featured teenagers, father-daughter pair, family, couple, a sari elegance show and a glimpse of different state ladies. Later, trophies were awarded to winners of the competition items.

The exhibition was organized by the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay in co-ordination with the India Cultural Center.

"The event was phenomenal," said Gujarati Samaj President Nainan Desai. "The exhibition sought to give art lovers, teachers and students unique, first-hand opportunity to see and learn about the arts and cultures of India."

Desai said this first-ever exhibition in Tampa will most likely to presented on a larger scale next year. "First, we wanted to try it out and see what kind of response we received," he said. "We kept the entry fee just $ 3 so we could offset some of our expenses. I must say the response was tremendous."

For information on the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay and its upcoming activities, check out its web site at www.gujaratisamaj.org

If you would like to post any information about forthcoming events or community happenings, please email the details to bettypais@aol.com

Information and photographs can also be mailed to Betty Pais at 87-52 108th Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond Hill, NY 11418-2229, USA.

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