The Hayward community immersed itself in the culture of India in an afternoon of art, literature, food, music and dance, at the Hayward Main Library’s “Experience India” event Saturday afternoon, February 20, 2010. This free event featured appearances by artist and poet Salma Arastu, Bay Area author Suruchi Mohan, and classical Indian dancer Priya Banerjee. Food was provided by Favorite Indian Restaurant of Hayward. The day’s events occurred in three parts. Salma Arastu launched the series with a discussion of her book The Lyrical Line: All Embracing and Flowing, featuring her artwork and poetry from the last ten years. Arastu, who has painted for the last 30 years, focuses on images of peace, unity and spirituality. Arastu was followed by Suruchi Mohan, who discussed her debut novel, Divine Music, which tells the story of a music student in Northern India, who has a love affair with an instructor that threatens to derail her success as a professional musician. Mohan, a native of India and an award-winning journalist, also holds a master’s degree in vocal music. The afternoon ended with a dance performance by 17-year-old Priya Banerjee. Banerjee has been studying classical Indian dance since she was four years old. She graduated from the Shri Krupa Dance Foundation at nine and has performed in dance festivals all over the world. In addition to this special event, the library offers other services for the Southeast Asian community, including a collection that holds over 650 Hindi DVDs, over 90 Hindi books, and many Indian music CDs. “The Hayward Public Library offered 'Experience India' to highlight the talents of three exceptional Bay Area women, and to celebrate the culture and traditions of India,” said librarian Sally Thomas, one of the event organizers. “We hope this series of events will help us strengthen our ties to our local South Asian community.” This event was sponsored by Friends of the Hayward Public Library; AAUW- Hayward/Castro Valley Branch and Favorite Indian Restaurant of Hayward. Members of AAUW-Hayward/Castro Valley Branch provided delicious desserts for audience members.

The Hayward community immersed itself in the culture of India in an afternoon of art, literature, food, music and dance, at the Hayward Main Library’s “Experience India” event Saturday afternoon, February 20, 2010. This free event featured appearances by artist and poet Salma Arastu, Bay Area author Suruchi Mohan, and classical Indian dancer Priya Banerjee. Food was provided by Favorite Indian Restaurant of Hayward. The day’s events occurred in three parts. Salma Arastu launched the series with a discussion of her book The Lyrical Line: All Embracing and Flowing, featuring her artwork and poetry from the last ten years. Arastu, who has painted for the last 30 years, focuses on images of peace, unity and spirituality. Arastu was followed by Suruchi Mohan, who discussed her debut novel, Divine Music, which tells the story of a music student in Northern India, who has a love affair with an instructor that threatens to derail her success as a professional musician. Mohan, a native of India and an award-winning journalist, also holds a master’s degree in vocal music. The afternoon ended with a dance performance by 17-year-old Priya Banerjee. Banerjee has been studying classical Indian dance since she was four years old. She graduated from the Shri Krupa Dance Foundation at nine and has performed in dance festivals all over the world. In addition to this special event, the library offers other services for the Southeast Asian community, including a collection that holds over 650 Hindi DVDs, over 90 Hindi books, and many Indian music CDs. “The Hayward Public Library offered 'Experience India' to highlight the talents of three exceptional Bay Area women, and to celebrate the culture and traditions of India,” said librarian Sally Thomas, one of the event organizers. “We hope this series of events will help us strengthen our ties to our local South Asian community.” This event was sponsored by Friends of the Hayward Public Library; AAUW- Hayward/Castro Valley Branch and Favorite Indian Restaurant of Hayward. The Favorite Indian Restaurant provided delicious Indian appetizers for the audience.