Visitor Information

Join us for our annual Festival of India, a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage. Over two mesmerizing days, immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and flavors as we bring a tiny glimpse of the diversity of Indian art and culture to the Queen City.

Presented by the India Association of Charlotte, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing Indian culture and celebrating artistic and cultural diversity in an effort to nurture an inclusive community. We are delighted to be part of the CIAF (Charlotte International Arts Festival) initiative, whose mission is to bring together Charlotte’s local and international communities with global artists in a cultural celebration, featuring live performances, art installations, food from around the world, and much more.

Performances

Belk Theater & Booth Playhouse

India has a very rich and old heritage of music and dance forms. Performances at this festival present a snapshot of the broad variety of dance forms old and new in India. The shows will include classical dance styles of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Odissi, folk dances from several states, accompanied by instrumentalists who play the flute, and percussions such as the dhol, tabla, and dholak.

Includes the popular Bollywood dance style that is an evolving fusion of old and new in modern India. Our goal is to present a truly artistic experience entertaining for all age groups, and we hope to educate the larger community about the rich diversity of art forms from other cultures.

Charlotte Symphony

Tapestry of Sound: East–West in Harmony – This concept highlights the rich tapestry of Indian and Western traditions woven together through orchestral music. Each piece is a colorful thread – from classical raga motifs to European harmonies – creating a unified musical fabric that honors diverse cultures while wrapping the audience in a familiar warmth of harmony.
Tapestry of Sound: East–West in Harmony – This concept highlights the rich tapestry of Indian and Western traditions woven together through orchestral music. Each piece is a colorful thread – from classical raga motifs to European harmonies – creating a unified musical fabric that honors diverse cultures while wrapping the audience in a familiar warmth of harmony.
Tapestry of Sound: East–West in Harmony – This concept highlights the rich tapestry of Indian and Western traditions woven together through orchestral music. Each piece is a colorful thread – from classical raga motifs to European harmonies – creating a unified musical fabric that honors diverse cultures while wrapping the audience in a familiar warmth of harmony.
Tapestry of Sound: East–West in Harmony – This concept highlights the rich tapestry of Indian and Western traditions woven together through orchestral music. Each piece is a colorful thread – from classical raga motifs to European harmonies – creating a unified musical fabric that honors diverse cultures while wrapping the audience in a familiar warmth of harmony.

Charlotte Idol

The stage of Charlotte Indian Idol at the Festival of India will showcase the incredible talent and passion for singing within our community. This competition is a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their skills, connect with fellow music lovers, and compete for the title of Charlotte Indian Idol. Join us as we embark on a musical journey.
The stage of Charlotte Indian Idol at the Festival of India will showcase the incredible talent and passion for singing within our community. This competition is a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their skills, connect with fellow music lovers, and compete for the title of Charlotte Indian Idol. Join us as we embark on a musical journey.
The stage of Charlotte Indian Idol at the Festival of India will showcase the incredible talent and passion for singing within our community. This competition is a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their skills, connect with fellow music lovers, and compete for the title of Charlotte Indian Idol. Join us as we embark on a musical journey.

Exhibits

  • Cultural Exhibit: Fusion Feasts: Where Culture Meets Bollywood
  • Architecture of India: Mysore Palace
  • Masala Chai

Cultural Exhibit: Fusion Feasts: Where Culture Meets Bollywood

This vibrant exhibit showcases Indian traditions and culture through the colorful lens of Bollywood! It takes visitors on a journey highlighting time-honored traditions and how Indian festivals are portrayed in movies. Interactive displays allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience, blending popular culture with age-old practices that resonate with every Indian’s heart. Whether you are a film buff, culture enthusiast, or simply curious about India’s culture and festivals, this exhibit promises to educate and entertain. Discover how India’s largest film industry and the world’s largest democracy inspire and influence each other in the cultural arena.

Architecture of India: Mysore Palace

India’s architecture, which spans thousands of years and incorporates a vast variety of styles, techniques, and materials, is as rich and diverse as its cultural legacy. Indian architecture is an interesting subject to examine in the development of architectural styles across time, as it reflects the nation’s numerous cultural, religious, and historical influences. This exhibit will showcase The Mysore Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, which is an iconic architectural marvel located in the city of Mysore, Karnataka, India. It stands as a symbol of the opulence and grandeur of the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in India.

mysore palace, illuminated, building

Special Showcase: Masala Chai

People all throughout the world have a unique place in their hearts and cultures for tea. India is the largest consumer of tea in the world and tea plays a very important role in cultural enhancement. There are several health advantage of tea that have kept people enthralled-whether they are drinking it as part of a cultural ritual, as a pick-me-up in the morning, or as a relaxing beverage before bed. Our visitors will learn about the history of tea cultivation, processing of tea and get a first hand experience of Tea’s varied flavors!

Glasses with Hot Chocolate Drink Beside Golden Kettle

Visual Arts

Art Gallery

Festival of India provides a platform for artists to showcase their artwork done in different mediums. Our purpose is to encourage, enhance and promote art through local talent residing in Charlotte. We welcome beginning and experienced artists of any age, skill level and medium. A special section is dedicated to young artists to showcase their work

Kids Art Corner

We invite children to participate in creative expression with help from experienced artists. The end product will be an artifact with an Indian-American theme

School Exhibits

This exhibit features ‘India’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission’ created by elementary, middle, and high school students, reflecting the country’s advancement in space exploration.

Kids Art Competition

Live Kids Art Competition at the Festival of India

Create. Compete. Celebrate. Your Art, Your Moment!

Step into the spotlight and let your imagination run wild! At this live art showdown, young creators aged 4–17 will receive surprise themes on the spot — then race against time to turn ideas into masterpieces, right in the heart of the festival.

One canvas. One shot. Let your art do the talking.

Register now and be part of something bold, brilliant, and unforgettable!

Experiences

Saree Draping

A very popular garment worn by women, the Saree consisting of a length of lightweight fabric with one end wrapped about the waist to form a skirt and the other draped over the shoulder or covering the head. Come to this exhibit and learn how to put on this native attire that flatters any shape!

Turban Tying

The turban called dastar is a symbol of spirituality, holiness, and humility in Sikhism. It is also a symbol of honor and self-respect. The dastar also signifies piety and purity of mind. Come and get help wearing one and take a picture as a memento from the festival.

Big Fat Indian Wedding

Whether you witnessed, attended, or asked any visitor to India to share their must-have experiences, we are sure that attending an Indian wedding would be in the top three things on that bucket list.

Indian wedding traditions have roots that go back some 5,000 years. The ceremonies have evolved over time but still can go on for days, and consist of a number of key rituals – giving away of the daughter by the father, and taking seven steps, each signifying a mutual vow between the bride and the groom, with fire as the witness.

The event will present a live Indian wedding ceremony on center stage, with Indian music and dance performances
appropriate for the moment.

Mehndi (Henna Tattoo’s)

The application of Henna as a temporary form of body art sometimes called Henna Tattoos. Come have your hands adorned with intricate traditional patterns at minimal cost.

Yoga

Is a system of physical, mental and spiritual practices which have been traced back to pre-Vedic times (500 BCE) in the Indian subcontinent. Over the centuries, its practice has been adapted and assimilated by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Today, its use has become widespread among the religious and the secular alike. Displays in this exhibit cover a wide range of general themes like history of yoga and its different varieties and also more specific themes, like chakra and yogic therapies. Yoga experts will be at hand to answer your questions.

Souvenir Bazaar

Indian couture is a vibrant tapestry of colors, textures, and designs, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the country. From intricately crafted jewelry featuring unique cuts, styles, and colored gemstones, to exquisite clothing and artifacts, Indian fashion offers a diverse and stunning array of options.

Our festival provides a festive shopping experience, featuring several vendors who showcase the best of Indian couture. Visitors can explore a wide range of traditional and contemporary designs, from intricate embroidery to modern fusion wear. Whether you’re looking for a stunning piece of jewelry, a beautifully crafted outfit, or a unique artifact, our festival offers the perfect opportunity to own a souvenir of Indian culture and take it home.

Food Court

The cuisine of India is very diverse. The regional food platter varies significantly from state to state.  These differences  have developed over millennia and have been shaped by local food availability, religious beliefs and customs but also by interactions with other cultures. Mughalai cuisine, for instance, was born out of the mingling of food in the north-western part of the subcontinent and Persian cooking carried in by early Mughal rulers. Indian cuisine has been and is still evolving, as a result of the nation’s cultural interactions with other societies.

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