2024
Indian Cultural Festival
SIGN UP at Get Involved: Day 1 and Day 2
Heartland Community College, in collaboration with Illinois State University, is hosting a five-day Indian Cultural Festival the week of April 1-6.
- April 2-3 at Heartland Community College
- April 4-6 at Illinois State University
The festival will feature lectures and demonstrations of traditional Indian arts and crafts, including intercultural practices such as mindfulness, street food, body art, etc. These events are free to attend and are open to the community. Featured are demonstrations are on Indian Textile Art including Kalamkari and Batik and Quilts of India by visiting scholars
- Dr. Priti Samyukta – Fulbright Scholar, Associate Professor of Painting, and Chair of the Department of Painting, College of Fine Arts, JNAFA University, Hyderabad
- Dr. Deepshikha Sharma – Associate Professor and head of the Department of Fashion Design at Manipal University in Jaipur
Full day events for both days:
- Rangoli Display
- Quilt Display
- Indian Boutique
- Henna
- Indian craft stall and Handloom products
- Indian Snacks
Tuesday April 2nd: (SIGN UP at Get Involved: Day 1)
- 8:30am to 9:30 am Meditation Class
- 9:30am to 10:45am Artist Talk: Dr. Deepshika Sharma “Colors of India: Exploring Textiles, Crafts, and Culture"
- 11:00am to 12:15pm Artist Talk: Dr. Priti Samyukta “Indian Textile Art: Kalamkari, Barik and Quilts of India”
- 11:00 to 1:00pm Chaat for lunch
- 12:30 pm to 1:45pm Religious Studies panel facilitated by Dr. Wayne Bass
- 12:00pm to 1:00pm Painting workshop
- 1:00pm to 1:30pm Semi-Classical Dance
- 1:30pm to 2:00pm Fashion show
- 2:00pm to 3:00pm Indian Sari try-on
Wednesday April 3rd: (SIGN UP at Get Involved: Day 2)
- 8:30am to 9:30 am Meditation Class
- 9:30am to 10:45am Artist Talk: Dr. Deepshika Sharma “Colors of India: Exploring Textiles, Crafts, and Culture"
- 10 am to 11:00 am Painting Workshop:
- 11:00 – 11:20 Bharatha Natyam Dance
- 11:00 am to 1pm Chaat for lunch
- 12:30 to 1:45pm Artist Talk: Dr. Priti Samyukta “Indian Textile Art: Kalamkari, Barik and Quilts of India”
- 1:00 to 2:00pm Bhagavat Geetha Reading and Discussing
- 2:00 to 3:30pm Keertan Music and Dance
This event is funded by a grant from The Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Indiana University. The program is intended to bridge the humanities and business worlds to show that working artists and craftsman need and apply both humanities and technical education.
On Tuesday, April 2, the festival will run 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and feature guest lectures, meditation, painting, Henna, fashion, artwork, and a religious studies panel.
On Wednesday, April 3, the festival will run 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and feature guest lectures, meditation, painting, Henna, Bhagavad Gita reading & discussion, and a Kirtan experience.
The festival will shift to Illinois State University Thursday April 4 and run through Saturday April 6.
Events will be held in the Astroth Community Education Center (ACEC) at the Heartland Main Campus (1500 W. Raab Road, Normal).
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding accommodations at Heartland Community College should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at accommodations@heartland.edu or call (309) 268-8259.
Uganda Ndere Troupe
SIGN UP at Get Involved
Celebrate African culture through dance & poetry with the community on April 4, 2024 with a free performance and free dinner:
- 3:30-5pm performance
- ACEC Auditorium
- 5:15-6pm Student dinner & reception
- WDC Atrium
The Ndere troupe was founded in 1986 as a cultural organization for “universal unity through music, dance and drama.” The troupe aims to entertain and educate through music, dance, and drama.
The word "endere" means "flute," and the Ndere Troupe therefore means Flute Troupe. The flute was chosen as a symbol of beauty as it produced such beautiful and irresistable music which can be manipulated to express a range of emotions; from sorrow to joy and from love to loneliness.
It also symbolizes universal unity; all peoples of the world have a flute in their cultures. The flute is like the blood that flows in our bodies no matter our external difference. The Ndere Troupe prides itself on emphasizing commonalities and celebrating the rich differences.
More information on the Ndere Cultural Center can be found on their website.