Following the creation of IAGC in 1984 as a non-profit organization to promote Indian cultural heritage in the Greater Charleston area the challenges faced by IAGC were many. In the pre-internet era personal connection with colleagues and neighbors were crucial for success. Charleston was even in those days a friendly town open to welcoming newcomers. Due to the presence of major universities and a large military presence Charleston area population had significant exposure to Indian culture and a desire to fill a void in access to Indian cuisine and cultural activities. With those requisites in mind IAGC created annual activities calendar targeting the local Indian population as well as those that would attract the Charlestonians accustomed to cultural activities offered by organized by the Spoleto Festival and Charleston Concert Association which included international star performers.
The very first major activity was a Gala evening held the Dome at Charlestowne Landing. To our amazement more than 500 people attended the program that included home cooked dinner prepared by IAGC volunteers and a classical music (Sitar) performance and Bharat Natyam dance presentation. Participants started asking IAGC officers when there would be another such event and to make sure that they would be invited. The annual Gala evening became a tradition. Along with that success IAGC also started to expand activities targeted towards children of IAGC members to give them opportunities to learn their ancestral cultural traditions. The solid foundation laid at its founding has assured the success IAGC has achieved over the past 36 years. This success has never been due to any one President or Executive committee, but due to cooperative actions of the entire community year after year.
