Indian Americans of Lexington Celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day
LEXINGTON, MA — More than 400 residents gathered at Hastings Park on Sunday, Aug. 16, for a community celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day, organized by the Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL).
The event marked the second year of the celebration, which has quickly become a prominent multicultural gathering in Lexington. More than 30 local organizations partnered with IAL for the event, reflecting the town’s diversity and spirit of community collaboration.
Hastings Park was decorated in saffron, white and green, with decorations designed by Ruby Boyanapalli. The afternoon featured cultural performances, games, food, vendors and activities for residents of all ages.
Games, Food and Community Activities
Families participated in cricket and chess matches organized by Abirami Thesayi and Anil Ahuja, as well as tug-of-war, cornhole, Connect Four and games designed for children and seniors.
Indian food vendors and henna artists added to the cultural experience. Nirvana served Indian street food, Fruttiberri offered natural ice cream, and Las Lemonade Stand provided a variety of lemonades.
The IAL Sustainability group, led by Kavitha Venkatesan, Suman Murali and a team of volunteers, worked with food vendors and the Town of Lexington to make the celebration a low-waste event using compostable materials.
Music, Poetry, Dance and Fashion
The entertainment program was moderated by Neha Rathi and Tanvi Marri. Kavitha Venkatesan and the TaalMel Fusion Band performed a mix of Indian and American music, followed by poetry from Poppy and dhol performances by Ekamveer and Kavanveer Singh of the Sikh Association of Neighboring Towns (SANT).
A fashion show led by Zuby Singh, in partnership with Priya Tanjore and Lexington alumna and entrepreneur Jusrin Padam, highlighted Indian fashion from pre-independence traditions to contemporary styles. Special guest Dr. Julie Hackett, Lexington’s educational leader, also participated in the runway event.
Folk Dance Draws Community Participation
A folk dance segment led by Prerna Performing Arts, a Lexington-based school focused on Indian dance and culture, was another highlight of the celebration. The group demonstrated Garba and other Indian folk dances, inviting attendees to join in and turning the park into a large community dance floor.
Joint Flag-Raising Ceremony
The event concluded with a joint flag-raising ceremony celebrating the ties between the Indian American community and Lexington.
Select Board members Vineeta Kumar and Joe Pato, along with IAL founding members Geeta Kanan, Sudha Balasuryan and Archana Singhal, presided over the ceremony.
Medha Ramu led the singing of the U.S. national anthem, followed by a rendition of India’s national anthem by Neha Rathi. Anil Ahuja delivered a vote of thanks, recognizing the volunteers, sponsors, performers and community partners who contributed to the event.
The celebration highlighted Lexington’s diversity and the contributions of its Indian American community, while providing residents an opportunity to celebrate Indian culture, heritage and independence together.
