IAGB India Day this year was a grand success, as always, in marking the 57th anniversary of India's independence, and giving the Indian-American community in Greater Boston a venue to congregate, celebrate and have a I-Day mela. Not letting a gloomy weather forecast dampen their enthusiasm, about 12,000 folks turned up at the Hatch shell Esplanade grounds for IAGB India Day 2004 on Sunday, August 15. Thankfully the trailing edge of Hurricane Charley did not carry too wet a punch.

The highlight of the event is usually the cultural program and IAGB has become something an institution in that department. IAGB programs give local artists a chance to showcase their wonderful talents and perform to a receptive audience and delight them with faraway melodies and dance. The event also serves to expose the Boston public to an interesting and varied culture that's growing more global by the year.

Additionally, there were vendors representing many sectors of the Indian community in Boston from non-profits, community assistance organizations looking for support, to Indian restaurants for top- notch Indian delights. This year, Kashmir Restaurant served up delicious Indian food to an appreciative public.

The variety show format is a tough act to pull off and was accomplished only with the efforts and energy of the IAGB volunteers who organize and run the event. The Cultural Committee this year, as in years preceding, had picked out a great variety of dances and music to highlight, and while the show focuses on Bollywood inspired numbers, it is certainly not exclusively filmi. Instead it is a powerfully varied cultural show with enthusiastic performers performing an interesting mix of music and dance styles.

The evening's program was kicked off with rousing renditions of the National Anthems of the United States of America and India by students of The Learnquest Academy, led by Ms. Kukkum Dilwali. After an invocation by Vinod Chungi, director, IAGB, Dr. Anupam Wali, President, IAGB delivered his state of the association's address. He presented an overview of IAGB's activities in the previous year and outlined his plans for the year ahead. Said Dr. Wali "IAGB was established in 1962, and we are proud to be a part of our effort in bringing the Indian American community together to showcase the cultural strength and diversity of our community".

Ms. Usha Vakil and Ms. Prupti Deodhar of SAHELI (a sister concern of IAGB) took the stage to talk about SAHELI's activities. Dr. Wali invited his Committee members on stage and introduced them to the public after which he turned the program over to the Emcees Sanjeevani Kukreja . Kareem Karamali Ambika Wali and Mohit Gidwani.

The first segment of the program comprised patriotic songs presented by students of the Raganjanli School (Guru/Cordinator: Smt. Swati Panda), Honge Kamyab and Hum Hindustani (Comducted by: Neelima Chaturvedi), Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani by Satsang Balagokulam (Choreography: Kruti Thakkar), Hindi Film Song Rang Deni (Choreography: Shivani Shrivastava), and Kadam Kadam Badaye ja,March song of Indian National Army Chhodo Kal Ki Batein, Chal re Chal Shabe Bharata santan (Lyrics and Music: Jyotirindranath Tagore) from the group Sangeetayan. (Conducted by Sagarika Kanjilal).

Next was Battu Odissi presented by graceful dancers from the Triveni School of Dance (Direction: Neena Gulati), followed by Bengalees of New Englands Bangalar Gaan (Choreography: Ipsita Chakladar . Sonali Bhabak). Mallari (Choreography: Kausalya Srinivasan and Ranjani Saigal, Composer: Lalgudi GJR Krishnan) had Bharathanatyam dancers show off some truly intricate footwork on stage, Rang De Ne, an energetic dance piece was presented by Angikam Academy of Dance (Choreography: Jasmine Shah) and Mundian tu Bachke(Choreography: Sunita Malhotra) had a warmed-up audience clapping and singing along.

Nirta Shlpam, a graceful dance was presented next by dancers from New England Malayali Association (Choreography : Veena Pillai) and Vande Mataram Salute to Mother India through the music of A.R. Rahman came next.( Choreography: Mitali Biswas) Desi Divas from the United India Association presented a lively but traditional Indian fusion with a Bollywood flare (Coordination: Participants and Rupangi Datta). Chamma Chamma drew much appreciation and applause from the audience as the participants presented an innovative Fusion of Western and classical Indian dance. (Choreography: Ira Padhye, Nicole Maggio and Lindsey Meyers) The Beats by Taal Nritya Academy had a medley of songs. Choreography: Suthanuka Debasri Basu.
The piece de resistance of the evening was Boston Bhangra (Choreography: Boston Bhangra Group) rocking the place with a Medley.East Aur West by the Sparks Dance Group (Choreography : Kinnell Shah) and a colorful Garba  Garba Dhamaka(Choreography Maneesh Anand . Shweta Bhatt ) was followed by UMASS- Amherst's Dil se, a fusion remix. (Coordinator: Pooja Bhalla).

In keeping with IAGB India Day tradition the program closed with a vote of thanks by IAGB director Mr. Mohan Dali and Bhangra Festival by MIT Bhangra.

Dr. Wali introduced the Chief Guest Honorable Edward J. Markey, U.S. House of Representatives, Representing, 7th District of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Markey expressed great pleasure in being a part of India Day 2004. The past presidents of IAGB, Dr. Nanji Saka and Mr. Ram Voruganti were also honored by Dr. Wali.

The main goal of the cultural program is to quickly engage and capture the audience for a 4 hour amusement, keeping it engaging, fast paced, and fun. Each of the acts had performers display great skill, and folks present were amazed by their abilities of all the participants.

IAGB India day is truly a blend of traditional culture, rhythms, cuisine, crafts and community besides the flagship live entertainment that invariably engages the entire audience.

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