India Day receives warm welcome at the East Brunswick Public Library

By MARIA PRATO
STAFF WRITER
EAST BRUNSWICK — Women sauntered around the room in their shimmering, ethnic garbs, the aromatic scent of curry filled the air and it was standing room only as the East Brunswick Library hosted the fourth annual India Day Sunday.
More than 100 people packed the library's meeting room - all eyes on the front, where a perfectly paced assembly of presentations carried on throughout the three-hour event.
"We had a great turnout," said Manju Lulla, an event organizer and member of the Indian Cultural Society of East Brunswick. "It proves to us people are interested in our culture.''
The day's presentations consisted of dancers, a henna workshop, an audience quiz and demonstrations on wrapping a saree and cooking Indian cuisine.
"It's almost like a little slice of India here," said Reena Pawar, adding that she was pleasantly surprised at how well the event had turned out considering this was the Indian Cultural Society of East Brunswick's first year sponsoring it.
Among the many faces in the crowd were local and state officials, including Mayor David Stahl and Senator Barbara Buono, who not only sat front and center but even participated in portions of the program.
Stahl presented a proclamation declaring Jan. 26 India Day to honor the world's largest democracy becoming a sovereign republic on that date in 1950.
"I think there's so much talk about a return to civility,'' Sen. Buono said in her speech. "These are the kinds of events, we need more of."
Girls from the Tala Shruti School of Dance pounded their heels on the floor, telling a story with their hand gestures and movements in precise rhythm.
While each routine takes months to memorize, the students said it all seemed worth it to see so many in attendance.
"As dancers we want an audience,'" said Lakshmi Kalluri, 14, of Bridgewater. "We're motivated by it.'"
For Yuki Khona, who's of Indian descent, the day's festivities were a chance for her two young daughters to become more familiar with their culture.
"I brought my girls out to see this," Khona said. "I was raised in Japan and my husband was raised here. We're terrible with Indian history.'"
Overall, the crowd was a mix, many with Indian roots and some who were just there to take in the sights, sounds and smells.
"I think you learn to accept people better, once you get to know them," said Cathy Treat, an East Brunswick resident, who religiously attends the library's cultural events. "We're here to learn more...about their dances and their dresses...about everything."

http://eastbrunswick.injersey.com/2011/01/24/india-day-receives-warm-welcome-at-the-east-brunswick-public-library/