Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation

It’s been a year today that ‘Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation’, a first of kind exhibition that has been showing at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH).  The NYC exhibit will be open to the public until May 2015 before going on tour to different cities so be sure to make a visit before its too late.

(see schedule below for your city).

The exhibition will be detailing the history of the heritage, daily experience and numerous, diverse contributions that Indian immigrants and Indian Americans have made to shaping the United States from the 1700s to the present.

“The vibrant life, culture and history of immigrants from India and Indian Americans is the story of America,” said Konrad Ng, director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. “This wonderful exhibition deepens our understanding of the American experience as lived by the Asian Pacific American communities who have journeyed from being exotic outsiders to being the faces and voices of the future. We are excited to present an exhibition that we hope will excite and inspire generations.”

The exhibition features Indian Americans’ migration experiences, working lives, political struggles and cultural and religious contributions. Highlighted artifacts include a dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama designed by Indian American Naeem Khan; the 1985 National Spelling Bee trophy awarded to the first Indian American winner, Balu Natarajan; and Mohini Bhardwaj’s 2004 Olympic Silver Medal for gymnastics.

Public programs include performances featuring Indian American art, comedy, cuisine, dance, film, television, literature and music. The Center will also offer online education curriculum and an opportunity for individuals to share their family stories through a digital portal.

Approximately 17 million people in the United States are of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, and the number is expected to climb to 41 million by 2050. One in every 100 Americans has a family connection to India. Indian immigrants helped build the nation’s railroads, worked in lumber mills, toiled on farms and established prosperous trading routes that are still in use today. Through a vibrant collection of photographs, artifacts, art and interactive learning stations, visitors will experience the Indian American story and explore the many dynamic roles Indian Americans have played in shaping America.

“Beyond Bollywood” is the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s largest exhibition and will be on display on the second floor of the National Museum of Natural History through Aug. 16, 2015. A traveling version will tour around the country to libraries, museums, universities and community centers as a part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service beginning May 2015 for five years.

Traveling exhibition tour Itinerary:

• 05/02/2015-07/12/2015 Morris Museum, NJ
• 08/01/2015-10/11/2015 Olive Hyde Art Gallery, CA
• 10/31/2015-01/10/2016 Sonoma County Museum, CA
• 01/30/2016-04/10/2016 Mathers Museum of World Cultures, IN
• 04/30/2016-07/10/2016 Minnesota History Center, MN
• 07/30/2016-10/09/2016. TBD
• 10/29/2016-01/08/2017 City of Raleigh Museum, NC
• 01/28/2017-04/09/2017 City of Raleigh Museum, NC
• 04/29/2017-07/09/2017 South Carolina State Museum, SC