Introduction to Events

Heritage India Association of North Carolina presents three main events-- Heritage India Festival, Gandhi Jayanti, and Children's Day-as well as coordinates Indian Participation in the International Festival

HERITAGE INDIA FESTIVAL is held every year in the month of April. Entries are accepted, January through March, from all age categories - group dances for main general program as well as for dance competitions, group musical presentations, talent recognition, cultural arts including henna and Rangoli designing as well as special art sessions for children. The mayors of Morrisville and Cary proclaim Heritage India Festival in their towns, and they or their representatives participate in the event.

GANDHI JAYANTI is celebrated on a Sunday in the first week of October (close to Oct.2^nd Gandhi's birth date) at Marbles Kids Museum at the location of Gandhi Statue - beginning with garlanding the statue and followed by a short cultural program in Venture Hall. It includes classical dance performances, singing of Gandhi's favorite bhajans, talks on Gandhi's life and philosophy, essay competition for children, Gandhi look-alike dress competition, short skits from Gandhi's life. 2022 Event coming up...Stay tuned!

PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Raleigh International Festival is celebrated in the month of October and runs Friday thru Sunday. HIANC's participation includes performances of Indian folk and Bollywood dances by teens and adults, children's performances for Children's Matinee, group musical presentations, Cultural Exhibit to represent the year's Festival theme, Indian bazaar that sells, Indian clothing, shawls, bangles, jewelry, and Sidewalk Café that sells savory Indian cuisine. HIANC also participates in cooking and dance demonstrations.

CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATION Keeping up with the Indian tradition of celebrating Children's Day on November 14, HIANC annually organizes the celebration on or close to November 14^th. It is participated in by children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Teens become Emcees - manage and present the program that includes classical and folk dances, group musical presentation, art sessions for children, Bollywood Dance competition and Teen talent recognition. Its distinctive feature is that children mainly conduct the event, adults remaining in the background. The mayors of Morrisville and Cary proclaim Children's Day in their towns, and they or their representatives participate in the event.