Discover India Series

Indian Marriage Traditions
July 24, Thursday, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Page Walker Art & History Center
Presenter: Nikhat Khan and team

Indian weddings are often multi-day events, full of pomp and color, love and laughter, and music and dance! Each region has its own unique marriage customs, costumes, and cuisine. But the overarching common thread is the coming together of two families, not just two individuals. Join us for a fascinating journey into the heart of an Indian wedding set in a traditional “mandap” or focal area of the festivities.

India: Unity in Diversity
August 14, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Page Walker Art & History Center
Presenter: TBD

A county of multiple faiths (officially 6) and languages (officially 22) , “unity in diversity” is a lived fact of everyday life in India. What is it that keeps the rhythm of life going amid such confounding diversity? What does it mean to be Indian? What is the common thread that defines the India story? What is Sanskrit, the classical mother language, from which many other languages are derived? Let us help answer these and other questions about “Bharat”, the traditional name for India!

Kolam Art
Sept 18, Thursday, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cary Arts Center
Presenter: Veena Kannan and Rohini M

Kolams are beautiful patterns made up of lines that flow through and around grids of dots made of rice flour which are then joined to take the form of a symmetrical shape or a regular polygon. Traditionally drawn by women on the threshold of a house or business as a symbol of auspiciousness, the kolam is considered as the meeting point of the internal and the external. Each dot, line, curve, interlinking design, circle, triangle and square, has a symbolic value representing the basic energies of the universe. In kolams, no dot is left unconnected or hanging. The grid of dots is based on the Fibonacci series and algebraic and numeric principles and the kolam epitomizes geometrical properties of symmetry, periodicity, and recursion. Join our kolam artists to learn more!

Story of a temple
Sept 5-Sept 30, NC State Capitol

Learn about the Sri Venkateswara (SV) temple of Cary, including the significance of the architectural details and the etiquette of temple worship. Also included in this nearly month long exhibit are Indian marriage traditions.

Costumes of India
Oct 24, Friday, 6:30pm to 8:30 pm
Cary Arts Center
Presenters: Hum Sub team and volunteers

Discover the mindboggling range of everyday and festive costumes for Indian men, women, and children at this presentation. The sari may be the most recognizable of Indian garments for women, but did you know that there is more than one way in which it is draped? Would you like to try out one of these styles and take a picture for keeps? Spend a fun evening exploring the world of Indian fashions!

Kathakali, a stylized dance form from Kerala
Nov 14, Friday, 6:30pm to 8:30 pm
Cary Arts Center
Presenter: Meenakshi Menon

Discover the fascinating world of Kathakali, a highly stylized and traditional dance form from the South Indian state of Kerala. Meet Meenakshi, a “Third Culture kid”, whose passion to learn this dance form is a story that will remain with you long after the presentation.

These are brought to you by Hum Sub.

Hum Sub is a non-profit organization dedicated to share the social and cultural traditions of India with residents of the North Carolina Triangle area and beyond. Membership and participation is open to all people who are interested in promoting and/or appreciating Indian culture and history. Learn more at humsub.org