Indian Cultural Festival runs April 2-6

Heartland Community College, in collaboration with Illinois State University, is hosting a five-day Indian Cultural Festival the week of April 1-6. 

The Indian Cultural Festival will kick off at Heartland’s Astroth Community Education Center (ACEC) at 9:00 a.m. on April 2, 2024. 

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. 

In collaboration with the Illinois State University Office of International engagement, Heartland will be hosting Dr. Deppshikha Sharma from Manipal University, Jaipur and Dr. Priti Samyukta, Fulbright Scholar, Associate Professor of Painting, and Chair of the Department of Painting, College of Fine Arts, JNAFA University, Hyderabad.  Both guests will discuss their artwork and how it relates to Indian culture. 

On Tuesday, April 2, the festival will run 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and feature guest lectures, meditation, painting, Henna, fashion, artwork, and a religious studies panel.

On Wednesday, April 3, the festival will run 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 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 with events held at Vrooman Center and State Farm Hall of Business.

The Indian Cultural Festival is free and open to the public.