Seattle University, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Seattle, inaugurated the First India Culture Week (ICW) on November 12, 2024. The three-day celebration, held from November 12 to 14, offered Seattle University students an immersive cultural experience of India, featuring a distinctive photo exhibit showcasing the rich diversity of its states.
The inaugural event was jointly addressed by Seattle University President Eduardo M. Peñalver and Consul General of India in Seattle, Prakash Gupta. The ceremony was attended by a large gathering of students and prominent members of the Indian American diaspora.
“As part of the inaugural celebrations, attendees enjoyed a cultural dance performance bringing together dance forms from various regions of India, an Indian Food Festival, a specially curated session on Yoga, and a workshop on Indian Heritage Arts: with focus on Madhubani art form,” noted a statement from the Consulate. “A session on wellness and holistic wellbeing, and the unveiling of an ‘India Corner,’ – a selection of 100 books focusing on the arts, heritage and culture of India also took place. These books have been gifted by the Indian Consulate to Seattle University’s Library.”
The statement added that the event featured shared experiences by Tim Durkan, a renowned Seattle photographer, and Linda Lowry, a Seattle-based journalist, who recounted their recent visit to India in October as part of a two-week familiarization program. Highlighting the trip, a specially curated photo exhibition, “India Through Tim’s Eyes,” showcased a collection of iconic images captured during their journey, offering the audience a visual glimpse into their experience.
The celebration also included an enthralling opening dance performance titled “Natyam: A Dance Mosaic of Bharat,” which showcased a vibrant fusion of India’s leading regional dance forms, performed by talented local artists from Seattle. The inaugural festivities concluded with an Indian Food Festival, where participants had the opportunity to sample a variety of regional cuisines from across India, in India Culture Week hosted at the Seattle University canteen.
