The only Folklarama pavilion to play both their national anthem and O Canada, the ambassadors, many volunteers and India Pavilion coordinators, Ramandeep Grewal and Daljit Kainth have done both countries proud with their amazing hospitality. The 3% of the Winnipeg population from India is truly something to celebrate.
Also worthy of celebration is the fact that not only does the Canadian Museum of Human Rights have a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, it is also the repository of a hand written letter by Gandhi.
Located at the Heather Curling Club, 120 Youville St., the spacious venue will host three shows per day until the festival ends.
Traditional dances of India were appreciated and the crowd roared when Ballywood took the stage.
Traditional dance of India. /HEATHER EMBERLEY
Bollywood brought the house down. /HEATHER EMBERLEY
The food of India was tantalizingly prepared by Charisma Restaurant. Butter chicken was a favourite along with samosas and their famous chickpea curry.
Charisma of India Restaurant provides the food for India Pavilion. /HEATHER EMBERLEY
To truly experience India, there are opportunities to try a henna tattoo or to have one’s head wrapped in a turban:
Try a henna tattoo or …
… have your head wrapped in a turban.
The cultural displays are also a great way to learn more about this amazing country.
Cultural display at India Pavilion. /HEATHER EMBERLEY
India’s rich cultural traditions are on display at India Pavilion. /HEATHER EMBERLEY
Besides philanthropic work on behalf of Cancer Care Manitoba and Heart and Stroke Foundation, the India pavilion’s Indo-Canadians also support the work of Child Haven International.
There will be another opportunity to sample Charisma’s wonderful butter chicken at the 7th annual Child Haven dinner, Sun. Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at the Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Ave. Tickets are $40 each or $350 for a table of 10 and are available from Arvind (204) 891-7510 or Zobida (204) 489-7630.
Special guest speaker will be retired Unitarian Minister, Rev. Fred Cappucino and his wife Bonnie. Approaching 90 years of age, they still both work tirelessly on behalf of children in the orphanages as well as enjoying their own 21 (yes 21) children most of whom they adopted from the orphanages.
In keeping the spirit of Folklarama alive, there will be India Day celebrations at the Manitoba Legislative Building, Sun. Aug. 21, from 2-5 p.m.
To learn more about the culture of India see: indiaassociationofmanitoba.org
