25 Years Of Reaching Through Time, And From Across The World, To Remind Us What Makes Our Home Special

VALHALLA, NY — The celebration on Sunday at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla appeared to be one spectacular day, but this spectacle was generations in the making.

Performers who spent a lifetime perfecting a centuries-old art form shared the stage with children who have practiced their hearts out for months to learn the language in the movements of a highly spiritual dance. A father and son continued a tradition of singing a soulful tribute to fallen soldiers that was made all the more powerful because of the fathers and sons who came before them.

The preparations for 25th Annual Heritage of India Festival went beyond planning for hundreds of attendees. The hard work of bringing the event to life took place all year long, in dance studios, in practice halls, and in classrooms across Westchester.

Those determined efforts paid off under sunny skies, as a cool breeze blew across the stage at Kensico Dam Plaza.

"The Heritage of India Festival is a wonderful celebration of Westchester's vibrant Indian-American community," Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said. "This event reminds us how much stronger we are when we share and celebrate each other's cultures."

Those unique cultural connections can too easily be missed out on by those who are a part of the heritage. One of the youngest performers said that her day-to-day would seem very ordinary to most of her classmates, but preparing for the festival gave her a tangible connection to her cultural heritage that she might not have otherwise experienced.

Simran Ahuja served as the master of ceremonies, drawing out insights from the performers and making the event more than just an afternoon packed with entertainment. More than 40 performances were on stage, showcasing traditional and contemporary Indian dance and music that span the subcontinent and the centuries.

While the heart of the celebrations tool place on the stage, festivalgoers also took time to browse the wares of dozens of vendors offering authentic Indian cuisine, handcrafted clothing and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

There were plenty of kids' activities that made the day memorable, educational, and most of all fun, for all ages.

The festival culminated with the Nevrang Dance Academy's production of Ramleela — a striking interpretation of the Ramayana that brought ancient mythology to life through both dance and drama.

The famed Westchester venue has become a natural place to celebrate both the shared and deeply personal cultural contributions that make Westchester such a special place. It will be a tough act to follow, but there are still more chances to celebrate the uniqueness of our chosen community.

The Jewish cultural festival will take place on Aug. 17, and the Muslim cultural festival will be held on Aug. 24.

"Kensico Dam Plaza is an ideal location for festivals because it's spacious, beautiful and centrally located within Westchester County," Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Kathy O’Connor said. "The venue's open lawn provides plenty of space for large crowds and diverse activities.”

Sunday's event was presented by the Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester, in cooperation with the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

For some, the day was a chance to experience something wondrous and new. For others, it was an opportunity to discover something about themselves and their loved ones. In both cases, joy (and the aroma of biryani) were in the air this weekend.