India Day Mela Festival set for Aug. 18

Dancers, Rakhee Rai, Trisha Holla, Natasha Singh, Pratibha Sukumaran, Divya Sukumaran and Anagha Das, prepare for their performance at last year's "India Day Mela" festival. The fifth annual festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 at the University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts.

The community is invited to the University at Buffalo on Saturday, Aug. 18 to experience Indian food and culture.

India Association of Buffalo is celebrating India's 60th Independence Day as India Day Mela. The fifth annual "India Day Mela" festival is scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at the UB Center for Arts on the North Campus, an entrance is at Maple and Flint roads.

Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. Food, entertainment and a fireworks display will be included in the summer festival.

"The India Day Mela is a great opportunity for families and friends to spend some quality time together. We invite everyone to celebrate India's Independence Day and experience all facets of Indian culture," IAB President Raj Bansal said.

IAB General Secretary Dinesh Sukumaran said there will be exotic regional foods of India - chicken tikka, shish kebobs, samosas, bhel, dosa, vada, idli, pakoras, curries and Indian sweets.

"There also will be plenty of fun games for the children. Festival goers can also buy exquisite Indian clothes, jewelry, and other accessories. There will also be fireworks at sun down." Sukimaran said.

IAB Cultural Secretary Geeta Sethi is coordinating the cultural evening program at the UB Center for Arts auditorium. Dance and music performances by children/adults from the local Indian community include the Bhangra and other folk dances with traditional Indian music.

For information on the event please call Sukumaran at 689-2835