Bellingham High School Senior organized India Independence Day Event on Saturday August 17^th to connect the communities in Franklin Historical Museum

Bellingham High School Senior Krishna Parida Swain in collaboration with Franklin Historical Museum organized and celebrated India Independence day on Saturday August 17 from 1PM to 5 PM. The event started with the Welcome note from Mr. Alan Earls, Chair of Frankin Historical Museum and reviewed the agenda. He presented the unique initiative to bring the diverse communities together in and around Franklin and build relationships. The goal was to understand and appreciate cross cultural connections between India, United States and rest of the world.

The cultural event began with the national anthems of the USA and India.

The first speaker of the day, Krishna, delivered a captivating presentation on the historical journey of ancient India, tracing its evolution from ancient times to the present day and highlighting Indo-Western connections going back to the Bronze Age. The audience was surprised to learn of the Helgo Treasure, an ancient statue of the Buddha excavated not in India but in Sweden. Krishna also highlighted the immense ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity India has to offer, drawing parallels to the United States. This presentation was followed by a live folk instrumental using an Indian stringed instrument called the “Shahi Baaja”. The audience enthusiastically cheered and enjoyed the live instrumental music.

Following the live music, the audience was treated to a performance of "Odissi," one of the oldest dance traditions in the world and one of the eight classical dance forms of India. Originating from the eastern state of Odisha, Odissi has a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Guru (Teacher) Mrs. Shipra Avantica Mehrotra, the founder and artistic director of the Avantica Academy of Odissi Dance, presented the origins, grammar, costume, and musical style of this ancient dance form. Her student, Maya Parida Swain, an 8th grader at Bellingham High School, gave a live demonstration, captivating the audience with her performance.

During a brief intermission following the dance, the audience enjoyed taking pictures at a photo booth set against a backdrop of the 13th-century Sun Temple of Konark in India. The break provided an opportunity for attendees to socialize with one another and engage with the participants, learning more about India’s rich history and diverse culture.

The afternoon session featured a presentation on Yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda by Aparajitta Parida Swain. She led a live meditation session, guiding the audience through mental and physical techniques to clear the mind, promote relaxation, and reduce stress and anxiety. The hall was filled with a serene silence as everyone participated in the guided meditation. Julie also presented Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medical system that originated over 3,000 years ago, focusing on maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness. Her presentation highlighted the holistic approach of Ayurveda to physical and mental health, combining diet, lifestyle, and natural herbs. She mentioned the benefits of herbs like turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and moringa, rich in vitamins and minerals. Samples from local grocery stores were provided, allowing the audience to experience these benefits firsthand.

The final session featured a panel led by Mr. Earls, Chair of the Franklin Historical Museum, along with other experts, who answered questions and clarified any doubts about Indian culture, ethnicity, and history. Many audience members shared positive feedback with the organizers and artists, expressing their appreciation for the event and requesting more such gatherings that bring communities together while celebrating culture. Mr. Earls, Jan and the staff concluded the session with a vote of thanks. "I have had nothing but very positive feedback on the event and I am hopeful we can do similar programs in the future," said Alan Earls, Chair of the Franklin Historical Commission.

The entire session was covered by Franklin TV that is targeted to be telecasted within the next 2 weeks.

Pictures from the event

Picture 1 &2 – Krishna Swain Presenting History and Culture in the Frankin Historical Museum

picture 3 & 4  – Maya Swain Odissi Dance Performance

Picture 5  – Mrs. Mehrotra, Odissi Dance Guru with Maya in photo booth

Picture 6  – Krishna Swain playing Indian Instrument “Shahi Baaja”

Picture 7 – Picture of an audience with the Artist

Picture 8 –Artist rendition to depict a “Mirror” in Odissi

Picture 9 – Maya Swain Performance with Audience

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