INDIA ASSOCIATION of CHARLOTTE is Proud to Present The 30TH ANNUAL September 19th & 20th, 2026 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Belk theater 130 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 Charlotte Symphony presents Bollywood-inspired orchestral music of A.R. Rahman, featuring a live guest vocalist, on the Belk stage. |
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3 Welcome ................................................................. 04 Proclamation ........................................................ 05 Cultural Exhibits.................................................. 06 Visual Art Gallery................................................ 09 Kids Art Contest................................................... 10 Kids Art Corner .................................................... 10 Belk Performances............................................ 14 Charlotte Symphony ....................................... 15 Our Sponsors ...................................................... 20 Belk Theater & Tryon Street Organizing Committee................................... 21 Acknowledgements......................................... 22 Food Court ............................................................ 18 Souvenir Bazaar ................................................. 19 Tryon Street Charlotte Idol ........................................................ 16 Booth Performances........................................ 16 Booth Playhouse A walk down memory lane ............. 12 & 13 Our 30 year Odyssey- Roots to Legacy
4 Welcome to the 30th Festival of India in Charlotte, a magnificent celebration of cultural diversity and our rich heritage. As we commemorate three decades of bridging cultural boundaries and showcasing the beauty of Indian culture, we are thrilled to share another unforgettable experience with you. C. Lal Vishin, President India Association of Charlotte Niketa Mittal, Chairperson India Association of Charlotte This milestone anniversary event promises to be special, thanks to our enduring partnership with the Blumenthal Arts, and our cherished collaboration with the Charlotte Symphony. Continuing its traditional weekend format, the festival is poised to captivate visitors from Charlotte and the broader community around. Saturday: Belk Theater and Tryon Street As you join us for this remarkable celebration of unity in diversity, we hope you will discover new experiences that engage your senses and deepen your understanding of our ancient cultural heritage. Let the Festival of India continue to be a bridge connecting us all, as we mark this significant milestone in our journey together. Sunday: Charlotte Symphony @ Belk Theater and Tryon Street Organized by the India Association of Charlotte, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating Indian culture and fostering inclusivity, in partnership with Blumenthal Arts, which is passionate about bringing together local and international artistic communities in a joyous celebration of cultural connections.
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6 In India, jeweled animals symbolize far more than beauty. Elephants represent sovereignty and wisdom, horses embody swiftness and valor, and camels reflect endurance and desert majesty. Adorned by royal courts, these majestic figures expressed both imperial grandeur and divine symbolism. The exhibit also features Rajasthan’s vibrant Kachhi Ghodi dance, where performers wear colorful dummy horse costumes embellished with fabric, mirrors, and jewelry. Accompanied by lively dhol rhythms, the dance celebrates village folklore, warrior bravery, and Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage. Special Exhibit : Jeweled Animals Special Exhibit - Colors of Odisha: A Journey Through Art, Heritage & Timeless Craftsmanship (Discover the stories, traditions, and artistry woven into every brushstroke, thread, and silver filigree ) Colors of Odisha celebrates the rich artistic heritage of eastern India through four iconic crafts. Discover the intricate storytelling of Pattachitra paintings, the symbolic beauty of Tribal Saura art, the vibrant elegance of Chandua Appliqué textiles, and the delicate craftsmanship of Odisha’s world-famous Silver Tarakasi filigree. Explore centuries of tradition, creativity, and culture, then create your own mini masterpiece to take home as a lasting memory of Odisha’s artistic legacy.
7 Jhalak invites you to discover the rich cultural heritage of Bihar and Jharkhand through centuries-old art, tradition, and craftsmanship. Inspired by the sacred Bodhi Tree, a symbol of peace and enlightenment, the exhibit features vibrant Madhubani and Sohrai paintings, tribal art, terracotta, and pottery, while celebrating the enduring legacy of the ancient universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila. Experience the stories, creativity, and living traditions that define these remarkable regions. State Exhibit - Jhalak – The Land of Awakening and Living Heritage Rooted in thousands of years of Indian wisdom, Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health and well-being that emphasizes balance between the mind, body, and spirit. This exhibit invites you to explore the ancient principles of Ayurveda—from traditional herbs, healing practices, and natural remedies to the importance of food, movement, mindfulness, and living in harmony with nature. Ayurveda: The Science of Life Discover how this timeless knowledge continues to inspire healthier, more balanced ways of living in the modern world.
Mehndi India has a very rich and old heritage of music and dance forms. Performances at this festival present a snapshot of the broad variety of dance forms, old and new, in India. The shows will include classical dance styles of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Odissi, folk dances from several states, accompanied by instrumentalists who play the flute, and percussions such as the Dhol, Tabla, and Dholak. It will also include the popular Bollywood dance style that is an evolving fusion of old and new in modern India. Our goal is to present a truly artistic experience entertaining for all age groups, and we hope to educate the larger community about the rich diversity of art forms from other cultures. See next page for Performance schedule. 8 A very sensuous garment worn by women, the Sari consisting of a length of lightweight fabric with one end wrapped about the waist to form a skirt and the other draped over the shoulder or covering the head. Come to this exhibit and learn how to put on this native attire that flatters any shape! Mehndi is the application of henna as a form of temporary body art sometimes called Henna. Come have your hands or ankles adorned with intricate traditional patterns in the gorgeously natural color of Henna! Sari Turban The turban called Dastar is a symbol of spirituality, holiness, and humility in the Sikh faith. It is also a symbol of honor and self-respect. the Dastar also signifies piety and purity of mind. Come and get help wearing one and take a picture as memento from the festival. Performing Arts on Stage
9 Folk Fusion celebrates India’s rich artistic heritage, diverse cultural traditions, and the limitless possibilities of contemporary creativity—where tradition meets modern expression. At the heart of the exhibit is the spectacular 7 × 7 ft Folk Fusion Mandala, a collaborative masterpiece created by 80+ artists. Inspired by India’s diverse folk-art traditions, each artist contributes a unique piece that comes together to form one extraordinary work—symbolizing how art transcends language, geography, culture, and identity. The exhibit also features a vibrant Visual Arts Gallery showcasing paintings, drawings, mixed media, traditional-inspired works, and contemporary creations. For the first time, Featured Artists Showcase highlights a select group of artists through a curated indoor and outdoor presentation, offering visitors an opportunity to explore their distinctive styles, techniques, and artistic journeys. Folk Fusion is more than an exhibit—it is a celebration of culture, collaboration, connection, and creativity. Come explore, connect, and be inspired by a world where every artwork tells a story and creativity has no boundaries.. Visual Gallery Artists
10 We encourage kids seriously interested in visual arts, to participate in an Arts competition on themes related to India American cultural experience, and recognize the top 3 winners. We invite children to participate in creative expression with help from experienced artists. The end product will be an artifact with an Indian-American theme. Kids will create a unique stencil canvas art with colors, gems and sponge brushes. A vibrant celebration of 30 years of the Festival of India brought by India Association of Charlotte, bringing the colors, music, traditions, and spirit of India to the heart of Charlotte. Please join us Sunday, Sept 20th at 4.30 pm on Tryon street as we march together—honoring our roots, celebrating our journey, and embracing the future! 30th Festival of India Commemorative Parade:
City of Charlotte is proud to support the Festival of India, with a City of Charlotte Cultural Growth Grant, as they pursue their mission of celebrating artistic and cultural diversity in the Queen City. CITY OF CHARLOTTE
. 3 Decades at a Glance Inception in 1995 brought a cozy community gathering of 500 visitors at Spirit Square Uptown. Driven purely by heart, dedicated volunteers planted the seeds of a legacy that would soon blossom into a premier cultural event welcoming growing numbers of visitors annually. 1990s | The Early Years: Planting the Seeds . As participation soared with the currently estimated 20000+ visitors, the festival expanded its footprint—moving from Spirit Square to the First Union Atrium, then to the Knight Theater, and ultimately settling into the 2,500+ seat Belk Theater in Uptown Charlotte. Outside, the Souvenir Bazaar and Indian Food Court expanded across two full city blocks. The festival also introduced spaces for local partner organizations and a Visual Arts platform featuring diverse immigrant communities. 2000s–2010s | Growth & Vibrancy: Expanding our Reach . Thirty years ago, our journey began with a simple dream: to build a bridge of culture and share India’s rich heritage with our broader community. What started as an intimate gathering inspired by the visionary founder Mano Thubrikar, with his small band of passionate volunteers, has grown into one of our region’s most cherished annual traditions. Every action and event in this journey tells a story of dedicated volunteers, extraordinary artists, and a thriving community that built this legacy step-by-step. The Festival of India has become far more than an annual event - it is a vibrant celebration uniting people of all backgrounds. 12 A Walk Down Memory Lane: 30 Years of the Festival of India
Thank You for 30 Unforgettable Years! From modest beginnings to a vibrant regional milestone, the heart of this festival has always been our guests, artists, volunteers, and sponsors. Thank you for making three decades of culture and connection possible as we step joyfully into the next chapter together! 13 The festival expanded beyond Uptown Charlotte into neighboring communities like Matthews and Ballantyne. Key milestones include a partnership with the Charlotte International Arts Festival and a groundbreaking fusion performance with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, blending Hindustani and Western classical traditions. Recognized in North Carolina Parks & Recreation Magazine as a premier cultural celebration, the festival remains a benchmark for regional programming. 2020s & Beyond: Spreading wings & creating cross-cultural synergy
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Experience the magic of Bollywood like never before as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra brings the vibrant spirit, color, and raw emotion of Indian cinema to the stage! Under the direction of conductor Daniel Black, this spectacular evening features the iconic, sweeping melodies of Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman alongside brilliant contemporary works by Reena Esmail and Kanniks Kannikeswaran. The performance is brought to life by the breathtaking vocals of JUNO nominated guest artist Vidita Kanniks and soprano Sequina DuBose. From the high-energy rhythms of "Chaiyya Chaiyya" to the soulful "Bombay Theme," this is more than a concert - it’s a magnificent celebration of community, culture, and harmony. SUNDAY | SEPTEMBER 20 | BELK THEATRE 15
16 Charlotte Idol The stage of Charlotte Indian Idol at the Festival of India 2026 will showcase the incredible talent and passion for singing within our community on Sunday, Sept 20th at 2.00 pm. This competition is a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their skills, connect with fellow music lovers, and compete for the title of Charlotte Indian Idol. Join us as we embark on a musical journey filled with soulful performances, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments.
CHOREOGRAPHER DANCE SCHOOL NAME Abhilasha Thakur Sweetlife Dance Academy Amrita Chowdhury Malhar Performing Arts Amulya Deepak Vividha School of Dance Ananya Patchigolla Ananya's Nritya Dance Academy Anu Shenoy Anokha Dance Company Aparna Nair Musical Mudra Ashwini Gogate Ashwini Kathak Dance Academy Chitralekha Singh Dancing Dazzlers Deetya Kaithi DanceandBeyond Esha Goyal Sahaj School Of Dance Geetika Mishra Rhythm Dance Troupe Haneesha Shankar HoneyBeats Dance Studio Hetal Patel Hetal Dance Studio Jhansi Abburi Jhanu's School of Dance Kavya Rajasekaran Vrindhavan Studio Krishna Kumari Nagrajan Jathi Dance Academy Minal Jajoo Masti Dance Group Neha Gowda Bhanvi Dance Academy By Neha Gowda Neha Jatla Nava Natyam Padmapriya Viswanathan Queen Starlit Academy Padmavathi Venkata Sithamraju Mayura Academy Pallavi Madabushi Pallavi Academy of Kuchipudi Dance Prashanthini Shekhar Natyanjali School of Dance Priyadarshini Inman NrityaDhwani School of Performing Arts Radhika Unnithan Nrityam Rajendra Baviskar Shivs Institute of Dance Rajshree Keshari Rajshree Dance Academy Revathy Arun Shrishti School Of Dance Rituparna Mukherjee Nrityangan Dance Academy Rituu Verma Blaze Bhangra Rohini Varman Sivakumar RASS Taarang Dance Studio Rugmini Sreejith Naatyanjali School of Dance Sabi Gautam Sabi Dance Studio Sadhana Mishra Feel The Beats Dance Studio Saheli Pal Narataj Dance Academy Sangeetha Raghurama Sangeetha's Dance Academy Saranya Senthil D-Phoenix Sariga Manoshankar Sarva Arts Academy Sarika Milhoutra Sarika's Bollywood Glimpse Dance Academy Sasmita Routray Nritya Sadhana Satwika Junna Desi Beatz Seema Tiwari Seema's School of Dance - Junoon Sheela Singhvi Beenatya Dance Studio Shreya Sarkar Rhythmic Squad Shreyas Kalekar Gruv Dance Academy Smita Pachlangia Smita's Bollywood Dance Hub Sudeshna Basusen Nritya Performing Arts by Sudeshna Basusen Sujatha Manjigani Shakti Dance Academy Swati Agarwal NachBaliye Dance Academy Tulika Ghosh Rhythmic Veena Sabarish Natanam School of Dance Veena Yeturu Smrithi Dance Academy Yuktha Sree Koppaka Dance Rhythm
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17 BRONZE SPONSOR FRIENDS OF FESTIVAL MEDIA PARTNERS TITLE SPONSOR GOLD SPONSOR
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22 We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors, partners, and community members for their invaluable support. We are deeply grateful to Food Lion for their continued commitment as our Title Sponsor. Their recognition of the vibrant diversity that the festival brings to the Charlotte region is invaluable. A special thanks to Garland Scarboro from their Diversity and Inclusion Office, as well as the Asian Pacific Business Resource Group, for their steadfast support. Our deep appreciation goes to the City of Charlotte for their Platinum-level grant through the new Creative Growth Grant program. We thank the Charlotte City Council for investing in local creatives and providing support through the "Charlotte Is Creative" initiative. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Tim Miner and Setu Raval for their dedication to nurturing cultural and artistic diversity within our community. We thank Wells Fargo for their generous Gold-level sponsorship, with sincere gratitude to Rod Banks and his team for their commitment to supporting local arts and culture. We also thank Bank of America for their ongoing Gold-level sponsorship and appreciate the strong backing from their Employee Resource Networks. We are pleased to welcome Kumon and Mathnasium as new Bronze sponsors, and we extend our thanks to our returning Bronze sponsors: Duke Energy, Charlotte Country Day School, Sree Hotels, Hindu Center, Novant Health and Charlotte Chess Center. We are also excited to welcome Towne Bank for their generous donations to the Charlotte Symphony, which directly support our partnership fusion concert. We are proud of our enduring partnership with Blumenthal Arts and grateful to Tom Gabbard, President and CEO, for his leadership in championing the city's diverse artistic landscape. We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the Charlotte Symphony for a special event on the Belk Theater stage, and we thank CEO David Fisk for nurturing this partnership. Finally, we appreciate the continued support of AAHOA and CRVA, as well as Joe Yanicak, Special Events Supervisor for the City of Charlotte, and his team for their vital assistance.
We are better together Every day w1e go to work, attellld schoot and Uve our lives side by side. 1 Our indiv�dual 1experii1ences come ti01g1ether to help us learn ·m1ore about the world around us, and ourselv1es as well� Wells F:argo is pF1oud t.o, Flecognize the Festi·val of lndi'a wellsfargoJ::om/impact © 2026 W8l.ls Fargo Bank. .A 8535219-2 MOD: 983 WELLS FARGO
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