IAGC Team( from left to right)
Avanthika Reddy Nalla(EC Member)
Jaya Gangaraju (Secretary)
Bushra Rahman(EC Member)
Indu Nihalani (President)
Shailza Sharma(EC Member)
Ashish Kumar Solanki (Treasurer)
Pranav Shah(EC Member)
Virtual Republic Day Celebration-2021
“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts of it’s people” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We are Indians, firstly and lastly” — B. R Ambedkar
IAGC celebrated 72nd India Republic Day 2021 virtually.
Below were the performances.
Welcome Speech By Mrs. Indu Nihalani IAGC President
· India Republic Day Wishes by The Mayor Mr. Will Haynie on
behalf of the Town of Mount Pleasant
· Republic Day Speech by Dr. Pruthvi Katikaneni
· Short Speech by Mr. Adeel Arif
· Aye Mere Pyaare Watan song by Dr. Shashi Pai
· Saare Jaahan se Achha by Mr. Ishaan Prabhu
· Des Rangila Rangila by Mrs. Suchitra Mohan
Republic Day Celebration with GBM
“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts of it’s people” – Mahatma Gandhi
“We are Indians, firstly and lastly” — B. R Ambedkar
IAGC celebrated 71st India Republic Day 2020 at MUSC Drug Discovery Building from 2:30PM to 4:00PM followed by the General Body Meeting and Snacks.
Below were the performances.
Republic Day speech: Piyush Dwivedi
Republic Day speech: Asif Rehman
Performances: Piyush Tiwari,Nibedita Chatterji with Dakin Pappu Halder, Sudha Gangaraju, Toolika Sharma
Fund raiser for Cyclone Amphan
We really would like to thank all our members who donated for this great cause!! Special thanks for all encouraging messages and cards of appreciation for the team!!
Due to Amphan cyclone the region was devastated and locals had lost their houses and had no shelter owing to the fact that the river embankments were badly damaged, the fields were flooded, food stocks had been washed away, and thousands of people did not have access to food, shelter and water. These abysmal circumstances led to immense sufferings for the people of Sunderbans. The NGO utilized the donated money to buy essentials for locals and ease their sufferings.
IAGC would like to thank Mrs Nibedita Chatterjee, former IAGC president for introducing us to this NGO. Mrs. Chatterjee is native of Kolkatta, West Bengal and was highly concerned about the situation of this region. IAGC resonated Mrs. Chartterjee’s efforts and supported this cause which helped the locals immensely. We appreciate everyone who generously donated for this cause!!.
Face Mask Fund Raiser
Thank you all for a successful fundraiser for Low Country food bank. We were able to sell 100 masks and
provided all proceeds to Lowcountry Food Bank.
We helped people in need in both cities–Mumbai and Charleston.
Mumbai is the economic nerve center filled with people locked in a daily struggle to survive and many live in its numerous slums and chawls. A number of self-help groups and co-operatives are born out of this daily struggle as independent, non-religious, non-profits with a desire to fight back and empower the urban youth, women and their families, to strive for a better life.
Young men and women with a cause/family to support and learn to make marketable products under aided/non- aided vocational training programs and it helps them to break free from a cycle that keeps them in poverty. Their financial situation stabilizes to sustenance levels even during pandemics and they are able to educate their families and insure their health.
We got the masks made from one of such co-operative that educates and upskills the youth from these slums. See the enclosed picture of Sanjay the tailor who stitched the masks.
Thanks to all members for their generous donations!!
India Independence Day Celebration
IAGC Celebrated 74th India Independence Day in Hindu Temple of Charleston. The program was telecast live on Facebook due to COVID related restrictions. This event was given coverage by local news channel- Live 2. The Independence day speech was given by Dr. Rajagopalan and Dinesh Sarvate. Followed by the performances from Pia Shah, Sravani M and Vaibhav Sharma.
There was a drive through lunch that was provided to all community members in association with the Taste of India. There were wonderful virtual Independence day celebration performances as shown below.
Gandhi Jayanti Celebration
IAGC celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October, Friday which was displayed live on Facebook and YouTube. Below were the program details.
Speech by: Dr. Shasheedhar Pai, Ms. Simone Nihalani. Performances by: Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye (Singers: Sravani & Piyush, Guitarist: Betsy, Orchestration: Dakin Pappu) Sare Jahan Se accha (Piano by Aayush Bansod) Bharat ye rehna chahiye(Manikarnika ) by Toolika Singh Hannan Yasir playing and singing Aa chal ke tujhe on piano Sudha Gangaraju- Ae dil hai mushkil
Dance on Ganesh Pushpanjali by Laksheetha Suresh Thank you speech by Indu Nihalani
Thank you note by Lowcountry Food Bank
Thank you so much for your very generous donations in 2020 on behalf of the Indian Association of Greater Charleston. Because of your kindness, we’re able to provide healthy and nutritious food to children, seniors, veterans and families who are in need here in the Lowcountry.
I hope you, your family and everyone at the Indian Association of Greater Charleston had a happy and healthy holiday season.
Thanks for making a difference in so many lives. Beth
Beth Atkinson Major Gifts Officer
2864 Azalea Drive
Charleston, SC 29405
843-747-8146 x 155
eatkinson@lcfbank.org
www.lowcountryfoodbank.org
Virtual Annual Function-2020
IAGC celebrated Virtual Annual Function on December 12th, 2020 on via direct telecast on Facebook and Youtube. Lunch boxes were distributed for members in association with Taste of India.
Below were the program details
- Solo Classical dance- Laksheetha Suresh
- Solo Sing – Haasitha Nalla
- Piano Musical Medley – Hannan Yasir
- Solo Dance – Nikitha S Choreographer: Rajitha Hongal
- Solo Performance – Ishan Prabhu
- Solo Dance – Sanjana Gangaraju
- Group Dance- Haasitha Nalla, Shubha Kasi Choreographer: Sudha Gangaraju
- Group Dance- Ayandra brothers–Adi, Adarsh, Akash, Akhil Choreographer: Adi Ayandra
- Solo Singing- Toolika Singh
- Group Dance – Shreyas Kasi,Rhea Gangaraju Choreographer: Sudha Gangaraju
- Solo Singing: Sai Anukriti Thutika
- Solo Singing: Muskaan Makkar
- Group Dance– Krithi Nedunuri -Sai Mokshith Sripathi- Smaran Boyapati
- Group Dance – Pia Shah, Ritika Saptasagar Choreographer: Shradha Shah
- Solo Sing: Sujata Yerra
Very very blessed to join in India’s great versatile singer Kumar Shanu’s recorded super melodious duet.
- Solo Dance – Revathi Dhamotharan
- Solo Dance- Priya Shah Choreographer: Priya Shah
- Solo Singing- Sanika Pendse
- Group Dance: Archana Nattuva, Sai Anukriti Thuthika (1) Like Mother, like …
“ Mother and daughter never truly part, Maybe in distance but never in heart .” How so very true ….
Coming up were a dazzling performance by three gorgeous mothers with their lovely little girls…
- Group Dance: Sandhya Sripathi, Sudiksha Sripathi (2) Ananya Nedunuri
- Group Dance: Anitha Srinivasan, Saanvika Vemula (3)Isha Vemula
- Group Singing: Daikin Pappu Halder, Sudha Gangaraju , Betsy Halder and Sanjana Gangaraju. Performer names- Pappu Halder , Betsy Halder , Sanjana Gangaraju and Sudha
The next was a Group song performance by a team of performers who brought in front a timeless song sung by the great playback singer – Asha Bhonsle called in aankhon ki masti main. …
It was a ghazal song and music by Khayyam. This song made Rekha a household name. Pappu Halder was on tabla , percussion and overall background music and video edit , Betsy Halder was on guitar, Sanjana Gangaraju on Violin and Sudha Gangaraju on vocal. The song goes as this- In aankhon ki masti me…. A truly enjoyable experience!- Group Dance: Indu Nihalani & Simone Nihalani
- Solo Singing: Piyush Tiwari
- Group Dance: Mamatha Mandava, Sahitya Anand, Lakshmi Medamarthi
Holi Event-Palmetto Island County Park-March 17th
India Association of Greater Charleston Celebrated Holi (Festival of Colors) on March 17th, 2019. It started with members singing and participating in the cultural program followed by lavish lunch, refreshing special Holi Thandai and playing with holi colors. Event was free for all IAGC members. IAGC provided free holi color and water guns to Members and their kids. Mount Pleasant Costco distributed free water and cookies in the event. Special thanks to members participating in the cultural program. Thanks to Mr. Sekhar Kousik for playing the Holi Dhol and making a fun environment. The event was covered by Post and Courier in their weekend special. More than 250 families attended the event. The event was loved and appreciated by members and non- members.
IAGC at North Charleston Art Festival May 4th,2019(Saturday) at Riverfront Park
IAGC participated in the North Charleston Arts festival on May 4th, 2019 (Saturday) at Riverfront Park by showcasing Rangoli, an art form, originating in the Indian subcontinent , in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals. Thanks to all volunteers who participated in this event. Thanks to Avanthika Reddy for her dedication, hard work and bringing the whole team together to make this event a success!! A very special thanks to all volunteers – Kavitha Ramana, Vardhani Kasi, Lavanya Dammu, Padma Velveti, Sridevi Parna, Bushra Rahman, Sangeeta Mohanty and Yagnavi Kamdar for their time, talent, sheer hard work in making this event a great success!! Kudos to and their commitment to excellence!! Due to Storm Warning, North Charleston Art Fes tival management canceled the c ultural danc e program.
Summer Picnic on 2nd June, 2019 at Palmetto Island County Park
IAGC Organized Summer pic nic. It was an enjoyable event along with melodious Antakshari, few s olo performances, live barbeque counter & delicious lunch. The event was attended by more than 300 members, making it a grand success, thanks to the systematic, detailed planning by the IAGC’s core team, and its implementation by all of you who showed up for this exciting event.
IAGC Annual Function-Rhythms of India Bollywood Night November 16th,2019
The annual event of IAGC this year was held at the West Ashley High School and was well attended by over 300 families including members and non- members. The MCs (Mr. Suny Nihalani, Ms. Muskaan Makkar, & Mr. Ishan Mehrotra) did a great job hosting the ceremony. We really appreciate the overwhelming response of our community to the call for participation in the cultural program. Participation was limited to members only. All the performers (ranging from ages 4 to 60 yrs.) were very enthusiastic and well-rehearsed, leading to an exciting and fun evening. The performances were a true reflection of the diverse Indian culture representation and included a mix of pure classical Indian music, Bollywood music & dance , and fusion of classical dance forms with popular Bollywood songs.
The event started with the US and Indian National Anthem, followed by various performances from kids aged 4 to 10 years. Our very first performer Aayush Bansod created so much excitement in the audience with his mesmerizing keyboard performance. All the young rockers (Sai Anukriti Thuthika , Pranawi Anumukonda, Ashwin Ashok, Shaan Sai, Akshar Yerra, Saanvika Vemula, Isha Vemula, Sudiksha Sripathi, Ananya Nedunuri, Shubha Kasi, Sanjana Gangaraju, Haasitha Nalla, Shreyas Kasi, Rhea Gangaraju, Adi Ayandra, Adarsh Ayandra, Akash Ayandra, Akhil Ayandra, Muskaan Makkar, Hannan Abdul, Avyan Srivastava, Moh Sawhney , Aarya Kulkarni , Mayra Wadehra , Aarriyana Malhotra , Aashir Ramdial , Ishaan Kolwalkar , Shivam Kolwalkar , Sanya Dhawan , Sophia Gauba , Pia Shah , Ritika Saptasagar , Aahana Gaur , Mannat Singh , Shanvi Chauhan , Shivanshi Chauhan) were a delight to watch.
Bharatnatyam by Dr. Nayana R Somayaji was excellent and memorable. The setting, the introduction (by Dr. Nandita Nadig), the movements–all wonderfully done!! Born into the world of dance, Nayana’s intrinsic passion for Bharatanrityam blossomed under the tutelage of able and watchful eyes of Late. Guru, Smt.Sundari Santhanam of Bharatanrityashala. She has been trained in Marga Karanas, a unique set of movements based on the research of Dr. Padma Subrahmaniyam. The use of 108 marga and 108 desi karanas in Nayana’s dance is a unique feature and a rarity in the field of Bharatanrityam. Nayana gave her first solo performance at the age of 8 and completed her Rangapravesham in 2004 at the age of 12 and has several other performances to her credit in India and abroad.
Adult performances (Sujata Chandorkar, Nibedita Chatterji, Rupal Kotecha, Sudha Gangaraju, Lakshmi Vardhani Kasi, Indramouli Anumukonda, Ravi Thuthika, Hari Prasad Kondaparthy, Srishti Suri , Monika Garg , Neha Malik , Gunjan Gupta , Kalpesh Malpani , Ankit Sakuja , Preeti Singh Sakuja , Pooja Bhat , Apoorv Patwardhan , Nischal Yajnik , Shreyansh Gaur, Priya Shah, Resham Thakkar) on classic and catchy tunes was fabulous and a treat to watch. Solo Performances
(Aditi Das, Shaker Kousik , Toolika Singh, Shailza Sharma , Sanika Pendse, Piyush Tiwari) left the audience spellbound with their graceful moves and melodious voice. Freestyle Bollywood Dance by Smina Menon on Madhuri Dixit Bollywood songs was very catchy and mesmerizing.
Our very talented local Choreographer Kalpesh Malpani choreographed Bollywood Dances for three groups. They all rocked the floor!! It showed his talent, sheer passion and his hard work!! IAGC can’t thank enough for his dedicated work and his passion for dancing.
For the first time, IAGC welcomed Sufi & Kathak Group led by Sonia Chaudhari, from Tennessee (Upasana Danc e Company). It was a class y and enthusiastic performance – the highlight of the entire event. Upasana Dance Company , has been performing and spreading awareness of Kathak for 8 years. Through outreach, performances, and an original danc e theater production, they have become reputable in the Middle Tennessee community. Upasana Performing Arts Center, the largest school of Kathak, Bollywood, and Hindustani vocal in Tennessee, strives to empower and inspire communities with our beautiful Indian art forms, nurture and advance global fine arts, and reinvigorate the classical traditions of Kathak.
Everyone work ed very hard. IAGC believes in recogniz ing true talent, and as a token of Thanks all the participants were given a trophy as a motivation for all their efforts. Special thank s to all v olunteers who came forward to help and mak e this event a success.
No Indian event is complete without food and in addition to the above-mentioned performances, the star focus was the dinner from Taste of India. Despite heavy rain and fire alarm going off, we were able to conclude the event with huge success . Nothing could come on the way of our well prepared participants. We would like to thank all the v olunteers for being so spontaneous and we appreciate all the patience and encouragement from one and all who attended the event. Thanks to IAGC EC ( Bushra Rahman, Av anthika Reddy, Sudha Gangaraju, Shailza Sharma, Ashish Solanki, Pranav Shah) and the President-Indu Nihalani for putting up such a great show!!
Mother’s day Celebration- Salsa Party
If Love is as Sweet as a Flower, then My mother is that sweet flower of Love.
– Steve Wonder
Celebrated Mother’s day with Salsa on May 11th, 2019 (Saturday). Mothers day celebration went well with Salsa dance from Holy City Salsa Dance Studio. Mothers were accompanied by their spouses and kids who showed their love and devotion by giving flowers and reciting beautiful poems.
Gandhi Jayanti Celebration(150th Birth Anniversary) on October 5th, 2019 at MUSC Basic Science Auditorium
Former IAGC President Dr. Joyce Menon ( Dept. of Regenerative Med . MUSC) talked about unveiling Gandhi Statue in Pinewood Elementary. Dr. Joyce garnered support from IAGC members, to install the Mahatma Gandhi bust in Pinewood Prep school , Liberty gardens (2012) during her tenure as the President of IAGC. This bust, honoring the contributions of the great leader to all mankind, was the first in the state of SC and to date remains the only one !! The bust was made by a woman sculptor from India, the late Mrs Jasumati Shilpi popularly known as “ Bronze woman of India”. Dr. Divya Bhati, Associate Vice President of College of Charleston was the guest speaker. She spoke about Mahatma’s legacy and universal teachings that are still relevant and continue to inspire people around the world. Dr. Bhati provided the audience with examples of Gandhi’s teachings that we could implement in our personal and professional life such as walking the talk, caring for others, respecting others, emphasizing right means to achieve ends, and leading a simple life. Gandhi’s Ideology and Modern Youth was presented by Simone Nihalini (6th Grader) and cultural programs followed by a light dinner. Adeel Arif (Elementary 4th Grader) also presented his views on Gandhi Jayanti.
Sahaja Yoga Meditation Workshop in Hindu Temple on October 20,2019
IAGC Hosted wellness through Sahaja Yoga Meditation workshop in Hindu Temple on October 20th, 2019 (Sunday). Sahaja Yoga meditation is a form of meditation founded in 1970, by twice Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a United Nations World Peace Award receiver, ‘Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi’. Sahaja Meditation is a simple, time-honored technique, completely secular and always free. It is practiced in more than 150 countries. Program presenter: Digant Nayak did his Masters from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur followed with PhD from National University of Singapore, Singapore. The program was very explained by Digant Nayak and Anindita Nayak. Thanks to both for introducing this meditation form to the Charleston Indian community.
Holiday Extravaganza at Children’s Museum on December 7,2019 @ Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry organized its annual Holiday Extravaganza where local organizations were encouraged to present exhibits, which could showcase different international holiday rituals with related decor and hands on activities. As the tradition continues, IAGC too participated in this event. IAGC booth was a colorful display of Rangoli, where visitors tried their hands on 4, 7 & 9 dots Rangoli. The event concluded with dance performances by a few international groups as well as young talent from IAGC. Our little performers danced on the tunes of famous Bollywood numbers and received a huge appreciation from all.
