A vibrant celebration of Indian culture is coming to Southwest Florida this weekend.<\/p>\n
The 35th annual India Fest will take place March 14 at the Alliance for the Arts, bringing a full day of performances, food, shopping and cultural experiences to the community.<\/p>\n
Hosted by the India Association of Fort Myers, the festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. and invites visitors to explore the sights, sounds and traditions of India.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a flagship event,\u201d president of the India Association Shaila Singh said. \u201cWe hold it to bring all people together and have them experience the culture and diversity. It started off small, but now it has become one of the biggest events.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s festival theme, \u201cRoyal India,\u201d highlights the influence of historic Indian kingdoms and empires on the country\u2019s art, architecture and traditions. The theme reflects centuries of regal heritage through fashion, jewelry, music and performances inspired by royal courts and palaces.<\/p>\n
Guests will find a wide range of activities throughout the festival grounds. Vendors will offer handmade Indian clothing and jewelry, including sarees, lehengas, tunics and churidars.<\/p>\n
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Nisha Singh said choosing a first outfit can feel overwhelming but recommends starting with something simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cFigure out what format you want, like a skirt or a pant,\u201d she said. \u201cThen, check the material and comfort level. A good starting point is a churidar. It\u2019s like a dress with leggings underneath and looks great on every body type.\u201d<\/p>\n
Food will also be a major highlight of the event. Suman Chaniyil will serve authentic dishes during the festival. Chaniyil owns several Indian restaurants in Southwest Florida, including Indian Breeze Cape Coral, and has participated in India Fest for about a decade.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love cooking, but I also love seeing the different kinds of art at the festival,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are so many boutiques, too.\u201d He will have four stalls filled with various different types of Indian food.<\/p>\n
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In addition to food and shopping, attendees can enjoy a henna beauty bar, a fashion show, live music, a DJ and dancing throughout the day.<\/p>\n
Performers will showcase dance styles from different regions of India, including Kathak, Odissi, Bollywood, Bhangra and Gujarati Garba.<\/p>\n
Pricilla Naik will perform Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form rooted in storytelling and devotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a religious dance,\u201d Naik said. \u201cIt tells religious stories and shows devotion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naik has been dancing for nine years and said sharing cultural traditions is especially meaningful to her as a first-generation Indian American in Southwest Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important because we should share the culture and the knowledge, and get to know other cultures as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
India Fest will be held at the Alliance for the Arts, located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n