Indian-American Culture
20 pieces
Film ‘Margarita With A Straw’ - Unexpected Brilliance – From India
New York, N.Y. The film Margarita With A Straw is so unexpectedly brilliant, on so many levels, that I was completely mesmerized. Focused on taboo within taboo, the fragi…
First Indian Literary Festival at Columbia a Best Seller
New York, N.Y. Under the direction of my good friend Aroon Shivdasani , the first literary festival of the Indian American Arts Council ( IAAC ) with Columbia University…
Immigration, Ambition, Identity Shape Film Miss India America
Dallas, Texas. Immigration, ambition and identity tend to be perceived as intertwined strands of the American DNA, and it always renews itself. It should come as no surpr…
Untold South Asian Stories at IAAC Literary Festival in New York
New York, N.Y. Aroon Shivdasani, Executive and Artistic Director of the Indo-American Arts Council ( IAAC ), did not sleep much last month - though she seldom does. Aroon…
Pratham: Chelsea Clinton on Board USS Intrepid for Education in India
New York, N.Y. In looking back at 2013's most successful Manhattan events, the one gala that stands out for me took place on the USS Intrepid along the West Side Highway…
Bollywood's Economic Impact - on New York
I first met New York-based music composer Wayne Sharpe two years ago at the New York Indo-American Film Festival ( NYIFF ). He was the first American I had ever encounter…
Indo-American Arts Council at 15 with Who’s Who of S. Asian Celebs
New York, N.Y. No one in Manhattan can throw a gala like Aroon Shivdasani , and the fifteenth anniversary fete of her Indo-American Arts Council ( IAAC ) was everything I…
New Indian Wines Add to New York’s Diverse Cuisine Scene
New York, N.Y. One of the things I love most about New York City—why I moved here 30 years ago - is its dynamic multicultural scene. European immigrants long ago contribu…
Next Generation of Global Indian Cinema
New York, N.Y. I recently attended Ticket2Bollywood ( T2B ) sponsored by Molecule Communications . I had the opportunity to interview its director Ajay Shrivastav and his…
NY Indian American Film Festival Triumphant in 13th Year
New York, N.Y. The New York Indian Film Festival ( NYIFF ) announced the winners of its competition categories at a ceremony at NYU’s Skirball Center last week, in the fi…
PlayMusician Committed to Promoting Diverse Musical Talent
New York, N.Y. Variety is wonderful, and that is exactly what you get at PlayMusician Jam Nights (PM-jamnites). For audiences open to experiencing an array of musical sty…
SAMAA Dedicated to Keeping Indian Classical Music Alive
New York, N.Y . Preserving the classics is a noble endeavor. Jazz, for example, is an original American music art form that once dominated the airwaves, dance halls, and…
With Dosa Hunt, Filmmaker Singh Emerges as Generational Voice
New York, N.Y. The closing gala for this year’s New York Indian Film Festival ( HuffPo ) , held in a banquet hall above NYU’s Skirball Auditorium, was alive with artists,…
A "Gandhi" for our Age: Indian Film Chittagong
New York, N.Y. Using visual cues from the paintings of Caravaggio, Indian filmmaker Bedabrata Pain has produced a triumphant film, Chittagong , that screened in New York…
Global Indians Illuminate Taj Pierre Hotel at Light of India Awards
New York, N.Y. More than 300 of New York's crème de la crème from the business, finance, and entertainment communities converged at the second annual The Light of India A…
Most Powerful and Influential Indians Gather
New York, N.Y. The most powerful, influential and international Indian leaders gathered in New York City recently to see who amongst them were worthy of award. Why should…
Photo Essay - Light of India Awards 2012
New York, N.Y. The Second Annual Light of India Awards were held recently at the Taj Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue. Hundreds of the brightest Indian minds gathered – the c…
The Two Krishnas: A Novel You Can't Ignore
New York, N.Y. When I was a freshman in college I moved into the international dorm and was faced with people from around the world who spoke English better than I. Many…
Eleventh Annual New York Indian Film Festival Triumphant!
New York, NY. I enjoyed this year’s Indian Film Festival so much! Opening Night I saw the Disney-backed film Do Dooni Chaar , directed by Habib Faisal, then Iti Mri…
Indian Spring Festival Holi, Celebrated at South Street Seaport
New York, NY. Raised Christian, I believed Easter was the kick-off of spring. After I became the token goy of a Torah study in Manhattan, I switched my spring allegiance…