Cultural celebration draws crowd
15th annual India Day had to turn away some visitors, despite new site
The Augusta-chapter of the Indo-American Cultural Association introduced their native culture to Evans on Saturday during the 15th annual India Day.
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The event, which was held outside Augusta at the Columbia County Library for the first time, is intended to promote cultural understanding and raise money for charities, said group president Geetanjali Talukdar.
"Community service is the main goal, (as well as) the integration of Indian culture and American culture," she said.
India Day featured authentic Indian cuisine and traditional Indian dance, including a touring group from the subcontinent consisting of visually impaired members.
Theodora Szuba, of Grovetown, said she has attended the festival for the past five years.
"I really find it interesting," she said, adding that she likes "the culture, food, the history of India and the warmth of the people."
The event attracted an over-capacity crowd to the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in the Columbia County Library. Dozens without a seat were asked to remain in the lobby by request of the fire marshal, library officials said. Renovations to the Maxwell Performing Arts Center forced the event to move from Augusta State University to the library.