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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 29, 2024 | The Indian Eye 23

Indo-American Arts Council Celebrates its Stellar

2024 Literary Festival and Renaissance Gala

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
he Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) cel-
ebrated a momentous weekend with its an-
Tnual Literary Festival and Renaissance Gala,
held on Nov 9-10. These events brought together
luminaries from the worlds of literature, culture,
and the arts to present seminal conversations and
honor the rich contributions of the Indian diaspora.
The two-day IAAC Literary Festival featured
thought-provoking conversations with acclaimed
authors, poets, and industry leaders to ‘house-full’
audiences.
Ambassador Lakshmi Puri discussed her lat-
est work, Swallowing the Sun, with Roopa Un-
nikrishnan, while culinary icon Asma Khan and tea
champion Brook Eddy captivated audiences with
stories of their journeys as global ambassadors of
Indian cuisine. Anshul Chaturvedi delved into the
teachings of Swami Vivekananda in conversation
with Swami Sarvapriyananda.
Authors like Sonora Jha, Amitava Kumar and
Alka Joshi captivated audiences with their literary
journeys and storytelling prowess. Engaging ses-
sions featuring authors such as Newbery Honor
winner Veera Hiranandani and Siddhartha Mallya
encouraged young readers to explore their cultural
roots and explored the topic of mental health.
Acclaimed Poets from across the globe show-
cased their artistry and the audience indulged in a
spirited slam event, with the winner taking home
the grand prize.
The festival also provided a platform for
emerging voices and featured insightful discus-
sions on publishing trends, literary representation,
and cultural identity.
Held at The International House, the IAAC
Gala was an elegant evening celebrating the
achievements of the Indian arts and culture com-
munity. Attendees included prominent personal-
ities, philanthropists, and cultural advocates who
came together to support IAAC’s mission. The
night featured:
Dr. Samin Sharma was recognized for his
groundbreaking contributions to medicine and
philanthropy. The evening was highlighted by a
spellbinding flamenco performance by Nazaré de
la Fuente, blending Spanish and Indian Kathak ar-
tistic influences. Generous support from attendees
and sponsors raised vital funds for IAAC’s pro-
grams, ensuring the continuation of its impactful
cultural initiatives.
“These events are a testament to the enduring
power of art to connect cultures, inspire creativity,
and bring communities together. We are honored
to provide a platform for such extraordinary talent global artistic communities. Preparations are al- The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) is
and look forward to continuing this tradition,” said ready underway for the 2025 New York Indian dedicated to showcasing and supporting Indian
Anil Bansal, Gala Chair and IAAC Board Member Film Festival (June 20-22, 2025) and the Zakir arts and artists. Since its inception, IAAC has fos-
“The success of these events underscores the Hussain concert at the Tilles Center in April.”, tered cross-cultural dialogue and nurtured creativ-
IAAC’s role as a bridge between the Indian and added Rakesh Kaul, IAAC Vice Chair. ity in all its forms.

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