Festival celebrates Indian traditions

For anyone who's ever been mystified by how saris are correctly draped and wrapped around the human form, the answer will be revealed Saturday.

"We are going to teach people how to wear a sari and turn five yards of cloth into a dress," said Sarita Sharma, of Simply Vedic, a Naperville nonprofit organization.

The sari workshop will be one facet of Indian culture celebrated at the Indian Cultural Festival planned for Saturday, Sept. 24, in downtown Naperville.

The festival will be presented in Central Park, just east of Washington Street near the Kroehler YMCA, and will feature classical and folk dance, an array of vegetarian dishes and other cultural icons of Indian life.

"We will showcase authentic Indian culture through cultural performances and food. We'll have folk dance from different states of India," Sharma said. "Each state has their own culture - clothes, music and food."

Sharma said the festival will reflect the diversity of the local Indian population, which includes people from a variety of Indian states and territories.

The day's events also will serve to educate and reach out to all in the community.

"It's for the community at large," she said. "It's all about bringing joy, happiness and togetherness to the community. The main mission of the day is to bring awareness of Indian culture."

The festival debuted in 2009 and its popularity continues to increase, she said.

"It's growing every year. I'm sure there will be 1,500 to 2,000 people," Sharma said.

Despite the expected crowd, Sharma said visitors should be able to find parking in the city's downtown parking decks.

Admission is free to attend the day's events, which will include a children's talent competition for ages 6 through 16 as well as art displays.

For the first time, the festival will have not only folk dance performances, but a folk dance competition to be mounted in the Central Park band shell.

Sharma said several schools are bringing performance groups to the competition, including Naperville's Rhythms and Grace and Dancing Petals schools. Individual competitors also will participate, she said.

The food menu will reflect tradition, she said.

"We will have all vegetarian food from different regions of India. There's a lot of variety," she said.

Examples of rangoli, an Indian art form that involves creating temporary decorations on the ground or floor, will be on display in the park.

"It's an authentic art often done in front of the house," Sharma said.

Visitors also may get henna tattoos, shop for Indian jewelry, learn about yoga and visit booths where information about other aspects of Indian culture will be available.

If you go

What: Indian Cultural Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

Where: Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville

Admission: Free

Info: (630) 355-5468 or indianculturalfestival.org