By Luke McCrory — Correspondent
For Concordians like Shruthy Rose Cratsley, the “opportunity to build bridges with our Indian community” matters.
The community gathered at First Parish to do just that in marking the town’s first official India Day last weekend.
India celebrates its independence from British colonial rule each August 15. The town made the 78th India Day the first in Concord with a Select Board proclamation, Saturday’s festivities, and a flag raising held by the India Association of Greater Boston, with more events to follow.
“To have our history, our heritage, and our culture — as well as our art — celebrated in this manner is really a precious gem for us. … In such a short time, what an amazing and positive response we’ve received from the community,” said Cratsley, whose Ivy Child International group helped bring the celebration to life.
“We hope that this is just the beginning.”
Culture and tradition
The parish hall, decorated with India-themed items, became a stage for an array of performances, including classical Indian dancing by Sharanya Baradwaj and Mahika Sathnur, students at Thillai Fine Arts Academy.
Sathnur, who has been studying classical Indian dance since age 6, wowed the crowd with a 40-minute performance of storytelling through her dynamic movements and facial expressions.
Five younger girls danced to “Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari” from the film “Chennai Express,” drawing applause. Bike To Biryani (B2B), a local group that rides from Concord to Lowell to enjoy South Asian food, performed their upbeat dance number in India-themed Red Sox jerseys.
Guests sampled fresh samosas and chai prepared by educator and entrepreneur Radha Jalan, who also serves on the Board of Directors of The Concord Bridge.
B2B’s Subbu Venkatraman was among the volunteers who helped pull off the event.
“There’s a lot of teamwork that’s gone behind this. To be able to showcase our ethnicity to the wider community brings real joy and pride,” he said.
“We are Americans, but we also have the roots that we bring to the U.S., so this event can bring all of that together.”
Photo by Luke McCrory
The audience of about 50 also heard Select Board member Terri Ackerman read a formal proclamation honoring the day.
State Rep. Simon Cataldo, Ravi Simon, legislative aide to state Rep. Carmine Gentile, and Governor’s Council candidate Mara Dolan each lauded the Indian-American community — and pushed for engagement in upcoming elections, pointing to a voter registration table set up by the League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle.
‘Space for our people’
Concord-Carlisle High School rising seniors Tanvi Malav and Tianna Felix emceed the event.
Malav called the day “really empowering,” saying, “It’s important that we acknowledge that there is a space for our people here in Concord.”
The duo are planning to start a CCHS South Asian club. Felix said that by celebrating Holi, Diwali, and other important days, she hopes to “spread our culture and traditions to our peers.”
The India Day celebration was a collaboration between the town, Ivy Child International, First Parish, the Concord Free Public Library, Communities Organizing Against Racism, the India Association of Greater Boston, the League of Women Voters, and Umbrella Arts.
Six-year Concord resident Vidya Subramanian called it “awesome that we were able to celebrate India’s history here in Concord, which has a very rich history of its own.”
Fellow attendee Madhu Malav agreed. “The feeling is great,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for us, and we just came together.”
