Top US museum exhibition to tell story of Indian-Americans

Documenting the vibrant history of Indian-Americans and their contributions to the US in the last 300 years, a prestigious museum here is all set to open its exhibition on this small-but-rich ethnic community marking their journeys from being "exotic outsiders" to being the "faces and voices of the future".
Christened 'Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation', the exhibition opening from February 27 at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History is aimed at deepening the understanding of the Indian-American community, organisers said.
"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," Konrad said.
Spread over 5,000-square-foot, the exhibition will 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.

Along with the exhibition, the museum has also planned for public programmes including 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.
One in every 100 Americans has a family connection to India, the Smithsonian Institute said in a release, adding that 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 the people from the community have played in shaping America, it said.

"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 for at least a year.
It will then travel around the country to libraries, museums, universities and community centres for five years, as part of the Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service beginning May 2015.