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October 2009 Volume 7 Sandesh Sandesh Issue 3 “The Message” A Newsletter from IndUS of Fox Valley

From Editors’ Desk A Brief History of ’s Jewelry Heritage By Joe Elder Dear Readers, As in the previous years this issue Jewelry in the Indus Valley Civilization Descriptions of Jewelry in Classical of Sandesh is dedicated to the Archaeologists excavating Indus-Valley- Texts annual IndUS banquet theme. This civilization sites in contemporary India and The Buddhist Dhammapada described a year‘s theme is: ―The Glorious Pakistan have unearthed large quantities of court woman‘s on which was woven a Tradition of Indian Textiles & beads made from shells, glazed peacock with its eyes, neck, and tail Jewelry‖. In this issue, you will earthenware, pottery, soap-stone, , feathers made of , its beak made of find articles that describe the role , , green feldspar, , , and its feathers made of red that jewelry and textiles have , and . Craftpersons living with midribs of . According to the played in shaping of India. These thousands of years ago had strung together Dhammapada, five-hundred articles portray the fabric of India some of these beads to form , worked four months to complete the robe. as colorful, strong and woven over , and girdles. The skills of those In the Tamil epic poem, the centuries. It has patterns craftpersons were reflected in the variety of Cilappatikaram (―The Jeweled Anklet‖), crisscrossing politics, struggle for the beads‘ shapes and sizes. Archaeologists the crime of a king who executed an freedom, religion and culture. excavated short-barrel beads and long- innocent man without a trial was revealed Jewelry and textiles of India have barrel cylinders, faceted beads, hexagonal when a jeweled anklet was broken open charmed and influenced kings and beads, and globular beads, and beads that and exposed gems other than pearls (the queens, ambassadors, and tourists were decorated with wavy lines, trefoil queen‘s stolen anklet had contained pearls). from all over the world and yet designs, and irregular grooves. Discs, The 5th century Sanskrit author Sudraka, in remain uniquely Indian. spacers, and terminals enabled people to his play ―The Little Clay Cart,‖ described a shape their own individual bead patterns. shop in which jewelers examined , Archaeologists discovered the techniques , , pearls, and , Sandesh by which tiny holes were drilled through and craftspersons set in gold, pierced Sandesh beads – hole-drilling techniques still being , or cut shells. In a court scene in the An IndUS of Fox Valley used in contemporary India and Pakistan. play, a judge ordered ornaments to be Publication Archaeologists have found anklets, examined carefully, since jewelers could , combs, hairpins, and nose fabricate such clever imitations that only Editors ornaments – many of them similar to ones the most discerning could discover they Dr. Badri Varma in use today in the same regions of India were fake. Ms. Manjari Chatterji and Pakistan. They have Jewelry in Sculpture and Painting Mr. C. Shekar Rao also found bracelets Dr. Sandhya Sridhar made of shell, glazed- Sculptors in Bharhut in north central India Dr. Mahesh Subramony pottery, , , adorned their representations of yakshis (female earth figures) with elaborate Ms. Sandhya Maheshwari silver, and gold. Perhaps the best-known earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and girdles. Advisor bracelets from the Indus- The yakshis carved on the gates of the great Dr. B. S. Sridhar Valley civilization are Buddhist stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh were similarly adorned. The Buddhist The views expressed in the articles those on the arms of the famous copper statuette paintings in Maharashtra‘s famous Ajanta are not necessarily those of the caves depicted wide varieties of jewelry Editors or IndUS of Fox Valley of a dancer found in Mohenjo Daro. including the simple white of a Page 2 Sandesh bodhisattva holding a white lotus in wreathed with pearls, rubies, and precious stones. Two centuries later, in Cave 1, the elaborate headdresses and , and rings on almost every 1926 and 1941, the Pahlavi kings used golden ornaments of the palace ladies in finger. Roe also described a solar the modified Peacock Throne during Cave 1, and the elaborately-crafted weighing ceremony during which their coronations in Teheran. necklace of the apsara (celestial nymph) Jahangir sat on one side of the scales The Koh-i-Noor (Persian: ―mountain of in Cave 17. Adorning the three-headed while on the other side jewelry was light‖) at one time was Shiva in the Elephanta Cave outside placed until the weight of the jewelry considered to be the largest diamond in Mumbai were multiple separate balanced the Emperor‘s weight. At that the world. It is thought that the diamond necklaces. The human figures in the point the jewelry was taken away and was mined in Andhra Pradesh in south temples in Khajuraho and the Hindu donated to the poor. Francois Bernier, India where it became the property of the gods and goddesses in temples in who visited India in 1658-59 when Shah Kakatiya kings. In 1323 or 1324 the Konarak, Halebid, Tiruchirappali, and Jahan (1592-1666) was the Mughal diamond was taken north as conqueror‘s Madurai were often extravagantly Emperor, reported that ―the empire was booty. The diamond eventually fell into adorned with jewelry. In south India the an abyss of gold and silver … because so the hands of the Mughals. The Mughal Chola and Pandya portable bronze much was melted, remelted and wasted emperor Babur (d. 1530) referred to this figures of Shiva, Vishnu, and their in fabricating women‘s bracelets for both huge diamond in his personal memoirs. consorts were decorated with necklaces, the hands and feet, charms, earrings, According to some accounts, Shah anklets, and bracelets. Under the nose and finger rings and a still larger Jahan, a direct descendant of Babur, patronage of royal households, schools quantity is consumed in manufacturing placed this diamond in his Peacock of painting developed in different parts embroidery … gold and silver clothes, Throne. According to general accounts, of India. Favorite subjects in those brocades, etc. The quantity of these after Aurangzeb seized power from Shah paintings were rulers, courtiers, and articles made in India is incredible.‖ Jahan (his father), he moved the diamond ladies of their courts. The jewelry they Shah Jahan is known throughout the to his private mosque in Lahore. In 1739, wore was often depicted in the finest world as the Mughal ruler who built the when Iran‘s Nader Shah overran Lahore detail. Especially impressive were the Taj Mahal in Agra as a monument to his and saw the enormous diamond, he is miniature paintings in which inspection beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. reported to have exclaimed ―Koh-i- with a magnifying glass revealed that The Peacock Throne and the Koh-i- Noor,‖ thereby giving the diamond its each or precious stone in a regal Noor Diamond name. After Nader Shah was piece of jewelry had been painted in No history of India‘s jewelry heritage assassinated in 1747, the diamond detail – sometimes with the painter using changed hands several times before the single hair from a cat‘s tail. would be complete without accounts of the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor coming into the possession of the Jewelry and Royalty diamond. Shah Jahan is credited with Maharaja of Lahore. On March 29, 1849 Royal families often collected jewelry as creating the Peacock Throne. Designed the Punjab formally joined the British a sign of wealth and also as objects of as the platform center-piece in the Delhi India Empire. The surrender treaty called beauty. Some of their collections became Red Fort‘s Hall of Private Audience, the for the Koh-i-Noor diamond to be given legendary. In the early 1500s the solid-gold throne stood on golden feet set to Queen Victoria. On July 5, 1850 the Portuguese Bartholomew Paes visited with jewels and was ascended by silver diamond was formally presented to the south India‘s Vijayanagar court and steps. Behind the throne were two gilded Queen. In 1851 it was put on public described the jeweled of the and enameled open peacock tails inset display in the Great Exhibition of Hyde queen‘s maids of honor and a bed with a with gorgeous arrangements of precious Park, London. In 1852 Prince Albert pearl-lined railing in a palace room lined stones. From the Peacock Throne Shah arranged to have the Koh-i-Noor with gold. Abu Fazl‘s Ain-i-Akbari Jahan, and later his son Aurangzeb (1618 diamond re-cut (and thereby reduced) in described features of the north-India -1707), heard appeals and dispensed order to increase its brilliance. The Mughal Emperor Akbar‘s 16th century justice. In 1739 Nader Shah, ruler of diamond was then placed in the court including a department of precious Iran, invaded India and captured Delhi, worn by subsequent Queens of England. stones. The department‘s superintendent the Red Fort, and the Peacock Throne. Contemporary Jewelry: Rakhis, and staff classified Akbar‘s diamonds, According to some reports, Nader Shah Mangalsutrams, and Wedding emeralds, rubies, and sapphires into as constructed a duplicate Peacock Throne Ornaments many as sixteen categories according to and took both the original and the The Rakhi is usually a string or thread their commercial value. In 1616 the duplicate back to Iran. A few years later, worn around the wrist symbolizing English ambassador to the Mughal court, Kurds seized both thrones, dismantled protection (from Sanskrit raksh – ―to Sir Thomas Roe, reported that on one them, and distributed their jewels. guard‖). A simple rakhi consists of public occasion the Mughal Emperor Subsequent Iranian kings built imitations cotton or silk thread twisted together to Jahangir wore a and a diamond of the Peacock Throne that were lacking form a circle to go around someone‘s (each as big as a walnut), a the original‘s gorgeous arrangements of wrist and often dyed yellow with Sandesh Page 3 turmeric or saffron and red. More elabo- around a bride‘s neck symbolically per- and the skills of their respective gold- rate rakhis can include tinsel- forms the same function in a south In- smiths. Jewelry that may have been in rosettes, sequins, center pieces, dian as do the seven circum- families for generations is often re- and even gold chains with jeweled orna- ambulations around the sacred fire in a designed and re-worked to be worn dur- ments. The significance of the rakhi is north Indian marriage – the marriage ing the next wedding celebrations. The the implied commitment of the person ceremony has been completed. The cou- maharajas and royal families of olden receiving the rakhi to protect the person ple are now man and wife. The thali days may have disappeared as sponsors tying that rakhi. In much of north India, may be of gold and may be of India‘s jewelers and goldsmiths. on the full-moon day of the month of formed like a lingam (phallic symbol), However, India‘s middle classes, with Sravana (July-August), sisters tie rakhis circle, or some other shape selected by their taste for the beautiful and their en- around their brothers‘ right wrists in the the bride‘s parents. Typically, anxious joyment of display, assure India‘s jewel- raksha-bandhan ceremony. In return moments in a south Indian wedding oc- ers and goldsmiths a long and promising their brothers promise to protect their cur when the very nervous young groom future. □ sisters if their sisters ever will need their must fasten the mangalsutram around Joe Elder is Professor of Sociology/ Lan- brothers‘ help. In a society where sisters his new bride‘s neck without fumbling guages and Cultures of Asia in the Univer- often leave their paternal home to live or dropping it. The mangalsutram is sity of Wisconsin-Madison. He has lived and far away with their husbands‘ families, supposed to remain around a wife‘s studied in both south India and north India this promise of continuing brotherly neck until the day her husband dies. for a total of eight years He teaches a course each Fall on the Madison campus protection back in their paternal home Today, as in the past, ornaments play a may offer some comfort. titled: "Civilizations of India - Modern Pe- significant part in weddings throughout riod." Throughout the year he is the Faculty The tying of a mangalsutram (usually a India,. They reflect the social and eco- Coordinator for the University of Wiscon- necklace of small black beads with a nomic standing of the bride‘s and sin's "College Year in India Program." central marriage pendant or thali) groom‘s families, their artistic tastes,

The Glorious Tradition of Indian Textiles By Sandhya Maheshwari

Textile is an important part of our lives. nourished by the creative and innovative number of factors, like geographical Traditionally textile meant, any kind of energies of its craftsmen. No other climate, local cultures, social customs, woven fabric .The term comes from the country in the world has such a deep availability of raw material, etc. A wide Latin word taxere, meaning to weave. rooted cultural and traditional past variety of raw materials like jute, silk, India, a land of 28 states and 29 associated to textiles that produced such wool, cotton, etc are used for creating a languages has a diverse and rich textile an abundance and variety. India was the wonderful array of fabrics. The geo- tradition. Textiles in India create a rich largest exporter of textiles. It had climate and biodiversity of India has weave that reflects India as a land of numerous trade links with the various given birth to textiles and weaving diversity. They provide a window to the countries around the world. In the throughout India. The textile tradition in one of the world‘s ancient civilizations. second century Indian silk was popular India includes weaving techniques, The origin of Indian textiles can be in Rome in early centuries, hoards of embellishment techniques, coloring traced to the ancient Indus valley fragments of cotton material originating techniques (hand painting, batik, resist civilization. The people of Indus valley from Gujarat were found in Egyptian dyeing), and a few textile forms that are used homespun cotton for weaving their tombs. Also, cotton textiles were uniquely associated with a particular garments. The first written description exported to China, silk fabrics from region or ethnic group. of textiles in India can be found in south India were exported to Indonesia th India has a rich and diverse weaving Rigveda (1200-900 BCE), one of the during 13 century. India also exported tradition. One can find different types of foremost scriptures of Hindu religion. printed cotton fabrics to European handlooms across the country, which The ancient Indian epics- Ramayana countries. The British East India produce a variety of fabrics. Most of (400-200 BCE) and Mahabharata (circa Company also traded in Indian cotton the traditional textiles traditions use 300 BCE) also speak of a variety of and silk fabrics. Handloom weavers handspun yarn. India is known for fabrics of those times. The Ramayana have for thousands of years created a fabrics made out of silk, cotton and refers to the rich styles worn by the tapestry of designs and textures that wool. Cotton and silk weaving aristocracy on one hand and the simple have been the pride of India. predominates the Indian weaving clothes worn by the commoners and India, the country which comprises of tradition. ascetics. many cultures has tremendous diversity India is known for its weaving of Indian textiles have a glorious tradition in its and traditions. Its material from cotton for many going back about fifty centuries, glorious past has been conditioned by a Page 4 Sandesh millennia. Cotton weaving is the heart our country, so are from the north which are popular are – Patola and and soul of Indian textiles. There are -eastern states. Cotton and silk textiles from Gujarart, Paithani from approximately 23 different varieties of are popular in coastal areas of south and Maharashtra, Baluchari from West cotton found in India and there are about eastern regions. Bengal and Saktapar from Orissa, four million handlooms producing cotton Indian textiles are famous basically for Chettinad and Kancheepuram from fabrics. Cotton is used in producing their uniqueness and style. The most Tamil Nadu, Narayanpet and a wide range of items like , bed famous among them is appliqués. Pochampalli from Andhra Pradesh, sheets, covers, napkins, , summer Appliqué is a decorative work in which Banarasi from Banaras. Silk saris are wear, tablemats, etc. one piece of cloth is sewn or fixed onto often created with zari work. Zari refers The traditional Indian cotton weaving another or the activity of decorating a to very thin gold and silver wires woven revolves around ‗khadi‘. Khadi is a cloth cloth using glass pieces metals or wood. or worked into fabric to create fabulous woven by hand using handspun yarn This is one of the most traditional designs. Also, the mulberry silk, a rare only. Khadi: It is not a mere piece of handicraft art famous from Kutch region variety of silk that is largely produced in cloth but encompasses a nation's of Gujarat, Orissa, Rajasthan, Andhra Assam is also used for making of saris historical past. A society's transformation Pradesh and Punjab. The traditional and traditional custom to wear. Along and the country's struggle to be free from appliqué of Punjab is called phulkari. with these varieties of saris, the famous the shackles of bondage are associated Phulkari is generally made on shawls Himroo and Mushroom fabrics of with this hand-woven, handspun cloth. using the yarn stitch to attach pieces of Hyderabad are splendid examples of Moreover, it makes us nostalgic as it cloth onto the surface of the . Apart mixed fabrics (cotton and silk). brings vivid memories of the man who from flowers, stylized figures of animals, Tie and dye, hand printing, and block revolutionized the Indian freedom plants are also used. Silk thread is printing are common across the country struggle with the attire of simple khadi – generally used in creating phulkari, and come in numerous styles, influenced Mahatma Gandhi. though occasionally cotton thread is also by the local factors. The tie and dye Silk is said to be queen of textiles put in use. In Andhra Pradesh, the techniques of printing in particular is because of its shine and glamour. India is and headscarves worn by the popular in the arid and semiarid western also known for its silk fabrics. Silk is Banjara tribal women are not only regions of the country where people undoubtedly the best kind of cloth from embroidered but also decorated with prefer brightly colored clothes. The India even though China enjoyed greater appliqué, shells and mirror work. Other states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and popularity in producing it. In association than this Appliqué, the city of Lucknow Andhra Pradesh are main centers for with ceremonial rites of ancient India, is world famous for its Chikan style of block printing. Silk has been a highly revered fabric. embroidery, the crewelwork from The present day textile tradition of India Silk was popular not just among ordinary Kashmir, Gujarat Punjab, Karnataka, is not only the reflection of our rich past people but also with royal clans and Rajasthan and West Bengal also have but also caters to the modern day noble families. The main silk weaving their distinct and unique styles of requirements of the common folks. In centers are Banaras, Surat, Mysore, embroidery. rapidly globalizing world of today, we Assam, Paithan, Kanchepuram, , an ethnic dress, is also see many innovative uses of Indian Dharmavaram, Tanjore, etc. worn in most of India. textiles in places far away from their India‘s cultural diversity is perhaps best No matter what the style birthplace. Their foray in the world reflected in its handloom textile varieties. or the , Sari market once again raises this Industry to The past traditions of the textiles and continues to be the best the pinnacle of glory. □ Indian textile. Most handlooms can still be seen amongst the Sandhya Maheshwari was born in Jodhpur, motifs, patterns, designs and the old weaving traditions Rajasthan and brought up in Baroda, techniques of weaving, still employed by revolve around saris. It is Gujarat. She got her bachelors degree in the weavers. The hilly and alpine region the choice of most Textile Engineering from MS University, of the country has a rich array of woolen women in rural and Baroda. She currently lives in Appleton WI, textiles. The world famous pashimina urban India. There are numerous centers and have her hands full with her three kids and shahtoosh shawls of Kashmir are which specialize in silk and cotton sari Anusha, Kritika, and Akhil . fine examples of the woolen textile of weaving. Some of the sari traditions Some Facts & Figures Textiles and jewelry continues to play an important role in India‘s economy. It is therefore no surprise that U.S. accounts for 25% of all textiles exported by India ($10 billion). Textiles account for 4% of Indian GDP, employing 19% of labor forces. Indians love gold! While the US government holds 11,000 tons of gold, the private gold holdings in India are estimated at 29,000 tons! Statistics states that out of ever set of twelve polished diamonds, eleven are processed in India and up to 90% of the operations take place in Surat, a medium sized city in the state of Gujrat . Sandesh Page 5 Khadi and Modern India By Lisa Trivedi

In May 1996, the newly elected the flag of the Indian Republic were cloth and in South Asia had Bharatiya Janata Party toyed with the significant traces of the khadi charka communicated a variety of social idea of ending state subsidies for khadi, flag. The assembly moreover was not messages, ranging from community which had been guaranteed for nearly aimed at subverting government identification to political deference. The fifty years. After news was leaked to the authority, but rather at celebrating it. swadeshi movement drew upon a press, the proposal met immediate and Just how khadi became such an variety of pre-existing and overlapping significant public opposition; protests important material symbol to these discourses about cloth and clothing that converged upon the parliamentary celebrations as well as the expression of one must bear in mind. According to buildings in New Delhi to vent their Indian national identity is subject Christopher Bayly, the power and anger and marched through one of the largely unknown to Indians at home and authority of the Mughal emperors were capitol‘s major thoroughfares, abroad. in part realized through the ritual Connaught Circle. Faced with this My book, Clothing Gandhi‟s Nation: exchange of cloth. By accepting the gift sudden outcry, the party quickly Homespun Modern India, traces how an of a robe or a sash from the emperor, reassured the public that its proposal ordinary object was transformed into a local elites simultaneously accepted would go no further; subsidies for khadi national symbol in the course of thirty imperial authority and established their would continue. Fifty years after Indian years. Khadi, or home-spun, home- roles in the maintenance of imperial independence, the home-spun, home- woven cloth, had been produced and power. The exchange of cloth and woven cloth popularized by the worn in India‘s villages long before the clothing was so important in South Asia swadeshi movement remains one of the twentieth century. During the era of that East India Company officials most enduring symbols of the modern mass nationalist politics khadi acquired adopted its use as they engaged with the Indian nation—so enduring, in fact, that new significance as a fabric of not only Mughal Empire and its elites. By the republic‘s financial support for it has the village, but also the nation. controlling the clothing that its agents become virtually sacrosanct.. Mohandas Gandhi promoted khadi as wore, as Bernard Cohn has written, the Nearly a decade later in Babapur, a both a commodity and symbol of the Company ensured that its agents were village located in Amreli District, swadeshi movement, which sought to properly attired so as to distinguish them Gujarat, children and their families establish India‘s economic autonomy from the subject population. gathered at the primary school to from Britain as the basis of self- When the British state established the celebrate Republic Day. Seventy-five government. In just a few years, people government of India in 1858, its concern years earlier to the day, members of the across the political spectrum adopted as a colonial power extended beyond Indian National Congress had assembled khadi as a material and visual symbol, those who served its administration. As at their annual meeting in Lahore to wearing clothes and bearing flags of this Thomas Metcalf has argued, the British proclaim the date Independence Day, simple cloth to represent various, and understood India largely as a place of hoisting the khadi charka flag, taking of sometimes disparate, political programs multiple communities defined by the independence pledge, and singing of and goals. My study demonstrates how various languages, religious practices, national songs. Significantly, the nationalists used khadi to construct a and, significantly, styles of dress. Republic Day celebration in Babapur in common visual vocabulary through Clothing, which had been used in an 2005 bore remarkable resemblance to which a population separated by effort to ally British with Mughal Independence Day celebrations during language, religion, caste, class, and authority and later to ensure that British the nationalist period. An adolescent region communicated their political agents were distinguishable from their boy and young girl were selected to lead dissent and their visions of community. native subjects, eventually became a the assembly in hoisting a khadi flag, in By the time India‘s independence was focus of their ‗civilizing‘ project. taking a pledge, and in singing won in 1947, khadi had been Western clothing was increasingly nationalist songs. They did so with the inextricably woven into the fabric of associated with the Crown and the utmost sincerity. This is not to suggest India‘s national life. One sees this in the promise of Western progress, which that the 2005 celebration of Republic government subsidies for khadi, its use challenged traditional native hierarchies. Day was no different from those of as the unofficial of India‘s As much as the British were interested nationalist India. Although the flag they political leaders, and in the in the ritual display of power, they were hoisted was of the Indian Republic, not commemoration of national events. no less interested in the daily dress of the swadeshi movement, the khadi Modern India remains symbolically ordinary South Asians. The British charka flag was not altogether missing bound to khadi. looked upon clothing and the presence from the 2005 celebration. Embedded in Prior to Gandhi‘s swadeshi movement, of material goods in a society as a the colors, shape, form, and design of Page 6 Sandesh

measure of the civilization of a given emergence of a colonial style of dress class identification or those of a people. As Nirad Chaudhuri makes and linked the impoverishment of India colonized society. The multiple clear, the British turned their attention to to the urban and colonial elites‘ meanings of khadi made it a versatile the dress of native women‘s clothing preference for foreign, manufactured tool with which nationalists could tailor specifically because evangelical groups goods. By the 1920s, Gandhi linked swadeshi to different political in Britain and India viewed it as risqué India‘s economic dependency and circumstances. As swadeshi consumers and, therefore, as a legitimate subject of clothed themselves in homespun and reform. They considered the ―proper‖ India cannot be free so long as India went about their daily lives, they clothing of natives to be a project as voluntarily encourages or tolerates represented their experience of a new fundamental to progress and civilization the economic drain which has been community visually, and challenged the as the creation of institutions of higher going on for the past century and a political boundaries of both traditional learning and the eradication of native half. . . . When the East India Indian society and the British colonial customs deemed ―in-human.‖ British Company came in, we were able to regime. manufacture all the cloth we civil and military personnel, as well as a Swadeshi proponents promoted the new native class of civil servants, took needed, and more for . . . export . . . India has become practically wholly significance of khadi as a material and on a distinctive appearance. By the late visual symbol by using it to mark the nineteenth century, the lines between dependent upon foreign manufacture for her clothing. territory of their community. By ―Indian‖ and ―British‖ subjects providing articles for newspapers and sometimes blurred, especially in the periodicals that alerted the public to subcontinent‘s growing urban and colonial subjugation to cloth: khadi activities across British India, administrative centers where natives It was in this context that the swadeshi displaying khadi goods in regional tours, joined the ranks of the foreign movement, and khadi in particular, and selling khadi at local exhibitions, administration and took up its style of became so significant for modern India. swadeshi proponents introduced and dress. It should be no surprise that cloth would naturalized this material symbol. These The rapidly expanding importation of become so central to the symbolic institutional strategies provided a British manufactured goods also repertoire of modern India. As we have heterogeneous population with a sense of substantially affected the general styles seen, cloth and clothing had for centuries an Indian geography, relocating rural and of dress adopted by urban Indians. been a central feature of authority, urban India within a marketplace shaped Clothing had first been imported into whether religious or political. India‘s by common taste and defined by India in the 1820s and 1830s. By the political subjugation and her dramatic common values. In so doing, nationalists second half of the nineteenth century, transformation from one of the world‘s used khadi to make a visual argument large quantities of manufactured wares leading producers of textiles into one of that transcended the regional, religious, from Britain‘s Lancashire mills had the world‘s consumers made cloth a linguistic, and class distinctions of not begun drawing native consumers away particularly evocative material object. only traditional Indian society, but also from traditional textiles. Goods produced In constructing national symbols, Gandhi the British colonial regime. By 1930, in India‘s industrial textile centers, and his supporters struggled to find a nationalists had established the efficacy including Bombay, Sholapur, and balance between ―tradition‖ and of khadi goods in resisting colonial rule, Ahmedabad, provided less expensive ―modernity,‖ recognizing that India and had used khadi to superimpose a native alternatives to artisanal goods. needed both to adapt its culture and visual map of the national community Eventually, industrially manufactured economy to compete in the modern upon the colonial map of India. goods, whether from Lancashire or world and assume its rights as a Swadeshi proponents also transformed Bombay, replaced the locally produced sovereign nation. Toward this end, the bodies of colonial subjects into cloth used in social and religious rituals, swadeshi proponents defined the national subject-citizens by clothing particularly marriage. The subcontinent‘s significance of khadi in three distinctive them in khadi. By inventing a new style urban and growing middle classes and flexible ways. As an ostensibly of dress, swadeshi proponents provided a favored the smooth texture, foreign traditional product, produced through simple way through which elites could designs, and modern look associated traditional means, khadi was portrayed as identify themselves with a broader with mill-made cloth. a material artifact of the nation. national community. Adopting new By the beginning of the twentieth Moreover, Gandhian nationalists forms of dress both challenged colonial century, however, nationalists identified redefined khadi for contemporary and traditional norms of comportment. a crisis over the modernization of dress politics and economies. Finally, khadi The so-called ―habitual khadi wearer‖ in India as technology, as well as taste, became a visual symbol, marking celebrated the principle of universal drew consumers away from previous individual people, and places, as labor and self-sufficiency as the basis of consumer habits. As Emma Tarlo has distinctly Indian, in contrast to visual political community. Those who chose to explained, nationalists pointed to the symbols of regional, religious, caste, and dress in khadi clothing were identifying Sandesh Page 7

themselves, at least ideally, with a Jallianwallah Bagh day, these occasions Indian by hoisting the khadi flag above it modern political community in which would have had little meaning if local was central to wrestling the right to social and economic differences were communities had not undertaken their govern from a foreign, colonial regime. subsumed to a national identity. Quite celebration. The local, public, and As the controversy over subsidies simply, khadi enabled peoples across repetitive use of swadeshi goods on indicates, khadi continues to occupy an colonial India to present themselves and these holidays, particularly the hoisting important place in popular political to see each other as members of the of the khadi flag, established a common imagination in India. However, this same community. The transformation of experience of time. The synchronized, does not necessarily mean that khadi colonized and ‗traditional‘ bodies into ritual celebration of new occasions and currently connotes the same things that it ‗modern,‘ Indian bodies gave rise to the knowledge of these extra-local did prior to independence. In the 1960s, other problems. As men and women practices provided a common temporal khadi became associated with traditional adopted khadi clothing, they experience for India created a sense of folk art, even as it became the dress of a theoretically surrendered various class, national community that stretched newly transnational intellectual caste, regional, and religious markers in beyond one‘s immediate location. community living in cities such as San exchange for national ones. Not only did Finally, nationalists used khadi to Francisco and Cambridge, khadi dress serve as a means for elites to challenge colonial officials over the Massachusetts. Dipesh Chakrabarty has establish their affinity with rural people, control and use of space. Public pointed out that after independence it also allowed them to visually maintain thoroughfares, government offices and khadi clothing became identified with their distinction from non-elites. Even if courtrooms became the battlegrounds of corrupt Congress politicians who wore khadi could not completely transform this struggle over the visual discourse of high-count, high-quality khadi that lay every body equally into an ―Indian,‖ it nationhood. In skirmishes, some beyond the means of the majority of certainly offered a visual rejection of orchestrated by the Congress, others the India‘s population. Today, khadi also both colonial and ‗traditional‘ identities. result of local conflicts, swadeshi goods serves as a kind of ―authentic chic‖ for a Khadi was also a crucial way of including the Gandhi topi became the cosmopolitan Indian community that imagining community by weapons of choice to redefine public and moves between London, New York, commemorating the birth of the nation official space. When the Calcutta Sydney, and Hong Kong as much as and inaugurating national time. Like Municipality decided to celebrate between Delhi, Bangalore, and Bombay. revolutionaries in France, Russia, and Independence day with the hoisting of Through it all, khadi remains a China, swadeshi proponents attempted to the khadi charka flag over its Municipal recognizable emblem of identity, establish a new calendar by proclaiming building, its mayor explained that he clothing the nation through a versatile new ritual occasions. Reshaping the meant no particular disrespect to the fabric of tradition that serves an Indian calendar was a means through which an British flag, but that rather: ―…we are modernity. □ alternative future for the nation could be being called upon to perform a national Lisa Trivedi is Associate Professor of conceived. As people carried khadi in duty. As a corporated body, we must History and Director of Asian Studies, picket lines, demonstrations, and give manifestation to our corporate Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. processions, they challenged colonial will….The Corporation of Calcutta is an Trivedi is the author of „Clothing the Nation: narratives of progress and charted a new Indian institution. It stands on Indian Homespun and Modern India‟(Indiana future for their nation. Although it was soil. It is owned by Indians. It is University Press 2007). She is currently the leadership of the Indian National managed by Indians and run in the working a comparative history project, Congress who initially declared new interests of Indians.‖ Clearly defining “Bound By Cloth: women industrial textile holidays like Independence and the official spaces of government as workers in Bombay and Lancashire.”

Sari, Zari and Pakoras: A tale of bridal sari shopping in India By Mita Chatterjee

It was to be the most important day of traditional American weddings. In fact, she planned on looking drop-dead her life! Surrounded by friends and a ―perfect‖ wedding sounded downright gorgeous! Her mother was traveling to family, Mira‘s wedding day was going boring! It wasn‘t going to be easy but as India to buy wedding necessities and to be perfect. Well, then again… she every detail was being planned -- there suggested she come along to shop for wasn‘t about to get carried away with remained one extremely important her bridal trousseau. Mira had several

thoughts of perfection. No wedding can question: What was she going to wear? friends who bought gorgeous wedding be entirely perfect. Especially an Indian Mira knew as soon as her fiancé saw her outfits in India and she would gladly wedding in America! The spontaneity of on their wedding day, he would swoon forgo her planned trip to Devon, the Indian festivities naturally clashed and realize just how lucky he was… no ―little India‖ in Chicago, to shop in against the organized structure of matter how she looked. All the same, India itself! The selection and variety Page 8 Sandesh

would be no comparison to what could saris in the room, as he calculated such a hidden in overhead compartments. The be bought in the States. She landed in sale. Not only would he be able to sell salesman tried to assist Mira in India with her mother and was ready to expensive wedding saris for Mira, but narrowing down her choices on the basis start shopping after a day of rest. But also the saris for her accompanying of fabric, ―Crepe, Georgette, Chiffon, what stymied Mira was how she could relatives! ―Please, please have a seat, Mysore silk?‖ or ―Baluchari, Banarasi, possibly escape from the numerous madam.‖ The salesmen gestured for Mira Tussar, Kanjivaram?‖ Mira wasn‘t relatives who kept visiting to offer their to sit on a cushioned love seat and skilled in the proper names of the fabrics blessings on her engagement. Finally, immediately a few more chairs for the and his questions just confused her. She she managed to synchronize the others in her party magically appeared. tried to copy her aunts in how they schedules of her mother, two aunts and Countless leaned over to feel the fabric between her cousin sister to shop for her wedding saris, in their thumb and forefinger, but she really saris. One of her aunts, who had hundreds didn‘t know what she was trying to feel. particularly good taste, recommended a of shades, She chuckled to herself because the shop where she frequently bought her w i t h gesture reminded her of the grocery store own festive holiday saris. It had a great s p a r k l e s and feeling the ripeness of produce! reputation as a premier sari shop in the a n d Ultimately Mira knew what she liked and city. e m b r o i - didn‘t like. What she didn‘t count on was Unceremoniously dropped off at the dery, lined the walls in perfect stacks and that she would also have to consider the corner of a bustling shopping market by were nestled into the built in shelves likes and dislikes of her mother, aunts the driver of her aunt‘s vehicle, Mira and along the entire length of the walls. The and cousin! Soon a chaotic scene ensued her family treaded the rest of the way by elderly salesman ferociously shouted - saris flying, salesmen unraveling sari foot. They passed many sari stores with something unintelligible to a younger after sari, opinions freely flowing. If amazing window displays. Mannequins man. Mira could sense resentment from Mira made any gesture of interest toward were draped in spectacular saris, the women who were all ready in the a sari, even if it was only at the perfectly illuminated to mesmerize store buying lesser expensive saris - they insistence of her relatives, the salesman innocent onlookers by the colors, the could feel the attention being diverted dramatically unraveled the sari and golden embroidery, and the intricate away from them. She caught their eye gestured at the elaborate pallu -- the hand-woven details. Just a hint of and tried to give them a sympathetic most intricately designed part of the sari interest – a second look or a slight pause shrug, but just at that moment the two that hangs loosely over the shoulder. in reaction to a window display caused a younger salesmen approached her, one After lauding its spectacular beauty and seller perched outside to enthusiastically thrusting a Limca in her hand and the good price, he would urge her to fling ask, ―Please madam, come in, come other offering a tray of tea. Mira and her the sari over one shoulder, show her in…‖ Mira smiled and shook her head cousin chose the lemon-lime Limca soda reflection with a mirror, flatter her by and continued to follow her aunt, trying and her mother and aunts took some tea. telling her how beautiful she was and to look down. Yet, she fell for the same The couch and chairs faced the sari compare her to the hottest Bollywood razzle dazzle trap as soon as they passed actresses. If Mira had even a slight the next sari shop! hesitation to drape the sari on herself– he Finally, they entered the double doors of would simply fling it on his own their destination and walked up a few shoulder, pose as effeminately as stairs into a large open space of the shop. possible, and gesture at the elaborate They were met by curious stares as the pallu, ―See how beautiful!‖ The sight of salesmen as well as the other patrons these mustachioed salesmen, attempting sized up their group. Despite wearing to tilt their pelvis and sway non-existent and an Indian tunic like her cousin hips, caused Mira to laugh out loud. and most of the young women in the Sometimes the older supervising city, salesmen always knew Mira was a "bed", a long cushioned platform gentlemen shouted for more than one foreigner. Even her mother was always covered with white sheets. The younger salesman to adorn competing saris side- immediately spotted as someone living salesmen stood on this platform and by-side, which caused even more abroad. ―Yes, madam?‖ asked a pleasant padded around on their bare feet and giggles. The salesman assumed Mira‘s looking elderly gentleman in a suit. started dramatically pulling down sari reaction indicated her approval and were Mira‘s eyes darted to her mother and her after sari behind them. The elderly suited encouraged even more to pose and madly aunt replied for them, ―Wedding sari for gentleman made suggestions to the swivel around. my niece? ― ―Yes, yes, of course, of younger sellers and still other salesmen Mira wanted her wedding sari to be a course.‖ The elder salesman‘s eyes from across the room tossed them beautiful red. She always pictured herself immediately sparkled as brightly as the selections from secret stashes of saris in red, but there was burgundy, maroon, Sandesh Page 9

tomato red, blood red, flame red, beautiful magenta sari with beautiful zari on his fixed prices. Suddenly, her eye brownish red, pinkish red, purplish red, work, a wonderful tomato red sequined caught on a sari that had not been shown magenta– she was overwhelmed by all zardozi and an embroidered peacock to her, oh yes, it was definitely going to the shades of reds. Her head was blue sari. Mira wanted to take a break be a long day. And tomorrow would be spinning and she was getting tired. and fortunately for her, the salesmen jewelry… □ Almost on cue, the two salesmen who began fixating on her mother and aunts. Mita Chatterjee was raised in the Fox Valley had offered tea and drinks earlier bustled She looked happily at the scene in front and is an attorney in Philadelphia, PA. She in a tray full of pakoras and burfis. She of her as the sellers now dripped their is married to Sanjoy Biswas, a realized they had the store to themselves flattery to her aunts. She gently squeezed pharmaceutical scientist who often finds and her family took a break in the her mother‘s hand and they exchanged himself and folding her many saris. shopping to enjoy the complimentary knowing smiles. Mira was insanely Although Mita did not shop for her own snacks and more tea and drinks. happy and would not trade this wedding saris, instead relying on the good taste of her mother, she thanks her family After eating, Mira and her family experience for anything. She listened with amusement as her aunts were and friends for their anecdotes and for resumed their shopping with renewed inspiring the creation of “Mira” in this tale. vigor. She was able to pick out a attempting to bargain with the salesman

Indian Textiles & Jewelry: Agents of social change Sandesh is pleased to introduce two women who have embarked upon a journey that combines a sound business model with a deep sense of social consciousness. These social entrepreneurs have done much to bring to light the glorious traditions of Indian textiles and jewelry to the US shores. Their products blend aesthetics of India and the US while simultaneously empowering impoverished but talented women in India. Women artisans have become agents of change by pursuing education, better health and by getting more involved in issues affecting their families and their communities. B. S. Sridhar interviewed Pushpika Freitas of MarketPlace and Maureen Dunn of Mata Traders for this special issue of Sandesh.

Tell us a little bit about yourself? majored in Film. At college I met influenced me, all my life. First, it was Michelle King and we have been best my mother gave me the confidence and Pushpika: I was friends ever since. I saved money encouraged me to use my creativity to born in Mumbai because I wanted to travel and learn run a business. After college it took me and came from a about the world. In 2003, Michelle and I some time to figure out what I wanted to family of 6 girls – I went on an around the world travel. I do with my life. I was not satisfied with w a s t h e spent a year working in Australia. I my career producing films. My two youngest. My par- spent eleven months in the Indian aunts, one an actress and another an ents were very pro- subcontinent and arrived in India for the artist, encouraged my entrepreneurial gressive and be- first time in 2004. I made my way dreams to stake out a path for myself. lieved that women through Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, should be educated, and Goa. By the time I arrived in How do you define fair trade? Why is it we were not very Rajasthan I had fallen in love with the important? rich and were brought up to be textiles, the colors and the rich artistic independent and to have goals and that Pushpika: MarketPlace was started long traditions in India. there was nothing we could not do. I did before the term Fair Trade was coined.

my bachelors in Social Work at Nirmala For me, the most important principles of Who were some of the influential Niketan, Mumbai, India, and then fair trade, besides fair wages, are: people in your formative years that had obtained a Master‘s in Sociology at participation, sustainability, and an impact on your personal/ DePaul University, Chicago. consistency in employment. professional development?

Maureen: I started small and I hadn‘t Maureen: I was Pushpika: My mother was the biggest heard the term fair trade when I started. born in Naper- influence – my role model. She was a In 2004, I attended a conference ville IL in 1977. volunteer social worker and helped organized by the Fair Trade Federation After graduating many institutions in fundraising and later in Chicago. It is about following certain from a suburban started a non-profit organization that guidelines pertaining to fair wage, school, I attended treated leprosy and tuberculosis patients reasonable working hours, and overtime. N o r t h w e s t e r n as well as did community development. There is a definite social responsibility University at Maureen: Strong women have component to it. The group that I work Evanston where I Page 10 Sandesh

with targets women and poverty. They bringing about social change. In India MarketPlace works with 14 strive to provide women with viable where rural poverty is stark and there are cooperatives: Women in six of these working skills. In addition to fair wages, not many job opportunities, social make the fabric; and 8 cooperatives cut, these women are offered maternity entrepreneurship has offered a way out. sew and embroider the leave, medical check ups, and some kind Women in the cooperatives have been materials. Totally we impact about 480 of retirement package. One of the co-ops able to educate their children so that they artisans, most of whom are I work with in India has even an on-site can escape poverty, and close the women. Since we use diverse traditional daycare facility. Education is highly income gap. fabrics, the Co-ops producing fabric are emphasized. The enterprise will be more scattered all over India. The Co-ops community oriented. My relationship Describe your business model. engaged in finishing operations are with India is special. It is my second located mostly in and around Mumbai Pushpika: We start with leadership home. It is not about just manufacturing (One is located in Gujarat). The Total and marketing. We educate consumers sales of MarketPlace in the US are so they can experience that special approximately, one million dollars. relationship with Maureen: We work with four producer the products they purchase and use, and co-ops located in Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, with the people who created them. I and one newly opened in Nepal. We believe in sustaining my suppliers. I pay wholesale to 130 boutiques, besides them as much as I can without incurring producing for a few private labels to a loss. I am quite competitive by nature, large retailers. In addition to our retail and I am also cost-conscious. However, store Andersonville Galleria; located in I recognize the importance of development of women through the Chicago, we participate in several off sustainability, and I am deeply process of showing them how to run site events. We have a growing on-line committed to it. I won‘t be filthy rich. their own business. First, we help catalog business presence. This past But, I am assured of a decent living. I women become entrepreneurs to gain year, even with the economic downturn, live by my values. economic footing. Second, we facilitate we grew by 40% to reach a sales volume

these women to articulate their needs of $ 300,000. When and how did you get interested in and hardships that need to be addressed social entrepreneurship? through social programs. The staff at What has been the social impact of Pushpika: When I returned to India MarketPlace (MP) and SHARE (Support your business on the participants? from the US, I started a leprosy the Handicapped‘s Rehabilitation Pushpika: This could take days to rehabilitation project. While setting up Effort), never assume that we know what answer! In a nutshell, the quality of life this program I met women who had little their problems are, based on our has improved immensely. Ninety-five control over their lives. They had few perceptions. Third, we believe that we percent of the artisans own their homes. opportunities to make decisions even consistently emphasize the need to This is quite an achievement, given the over the money they earned. Realizing provide customers with attractively real estate prices in Mumbai! These are that I was fortunate, I decided to do designed products attractive design of sound concrete constructions, and not something about this problem. I started high quality, while achieving thatched huts and shanties. They are all a group to empower women, first sustainability. We provide the crucial educating their children. Most complete economically, and later to empower marketing skills that these women need. high school, and some go on to college. them to become active participants in Maureen: Mata Traders is both a This goes for their daughters making decisions relating to themselves, wholesaler and a retailer. All our too. Women in this program have their children, and the community. I designing is done in the US. Michelle gained respect in their families and firmly believed that the dignity of the and I are the principal designers and two communities. Many people approach women could be achieved by combining design interns assist us. We offer a them for advice and help – quite an personal economic freedom with a social winter collection and a spring collection. achievement in the male dominated mission. Michelle and I travel to India for at least society like India. Women have gained Maureen: My visits to India, my six weeks every year to follow up with much self-esteem, and have grown participation in the 2004 conference, and our producers, build supplier relations increasingly confident to be dress much my own experience working with these and identify new ones. better and come across as being self- women has defined social confident. Most women are sending entrepreneurship for me. It is about What is the magnitude of your their children to schools. They have businesses not just being driven by the business? become very active in their community profit motive but about making a activities. Elected boards of directors Pushpika: Founded in 1986, positive impact on the community by manage the co-ops. Profits are declared Sandesh Page 11

and shared by the members of the co-ops replicated in other parts of India. awareness of our mission, business or mutual trusts. Since most of these model and its impact in India is very Maureen: Mata Traders is in a growth actively involved in addressing issues important, not just for increasing sales phase. We want to continue growing our affecting their family, school and but also to spread the message of brand and business. We would like to community affairs. MarketPlace. So, just the exposure is expand our sourcing to other states in In- great. I would like to make some Maureen: I dia and contacts and identify professionals in the notice a sig- may be to fields of fashion, catalog marketing, nificant im- neighbor- financial planning and brand provement in ing coun- development. Second, we welcome the physical tries in the IndUS participants to model our clothes, health of I n d i a n for seeing 9s believing. The fun of women. They subconti- wearing is a bonus! Finally, if we could have a health- nent. Arti- also sell, that would be great for ier glow, co- sans in advancing our mission. ops are part countries of NGOs, like India have a rich tradition of art but Maureen: I am looking forward to learn their activities and programs are the key is to translate them in to what is more about IndUS. In turn, I would like fairly broad and various to include aesthetically preferred in the US market. to share the story of Mata Traders with irrigation projects, education, vocational There is a crucial need to communicate your audience. It is nice to have an training, and health care. customer expectations and product opportunity to spread the word to a new development. We will also focus our group of potential customers. □

What are your plans for MarketPlace? efforts to expand our design internship Please visit MarketPlace (http:// program so that we can better com- Pushpika: We would like to grow both www.marketplaceindia.org) and Mata municate our customer preferences to sales volume as well as number of Traders (http://www.matatraders.com) our producers in India. artisans participating in the program. for more information and their latest

However, given the economic downturn, catalog. Products will be available for What can we expect when you visit with exhibition at IndUS-2009. we have set modest growth targets for us for IndUS-2009? the near term. We are also studying and exploring how the MP model can be Pushpika: First, just being able to create

 News … Ramakka, a nine old recent arrival from India shared two stories using her newly India Heritage Day acquired English language skills and lots IndUS volunteers joined iChild families of gestures. She was so expressive and to celebrate Annual India Heritage Day seemed genuinely inspired. Other IndUS on Saturday, June 27th, 2009 at Green volunteers helped throughout the day. At Lake Conference Center.Together they the end of the day, they had a sense of helped create a sense of heritage in kids satisfaction of making it a memorable from India adopted by loving Mid- experience for the kids, their parents and for us all. western American families. kids played, moms and dads attended T h e d a y cooking demonstrations led by Viju Rao, Investing In Children Grants started with Ashi Tannan and Sandhya Sridhar. They Announced Sameer Srid- showed them how to make vadas, Over the years, IndUS has awarded har and Ashok chutney, sheera (halwa) and kheer. As thousands of dollars in scholarships to T a n n a n part of the demos they shared the recipes reiterate its commitment to community showing them and provided ample samples. In the and inter-cultural understanding. basics of afternoon, the kids enjoyed indoor games ―Investing in Children‖, a new campaign cricket and of chess, shells, Indian Parchessi and was initiated in 2007, recognizing the some other sagargote, followed by story telling. Viju need to prepare our children, both in the o u t d o o r Rao and Maya Dighe shared stories from USA and in India, to become competent, games. While Panchatantra. In a spontaneous response, productive, peace loving citizens of the Page 12 Sandesh

world. awarded: $1000. gathered to enjoy cuisine from around On August 23, 2009, IndUS announced "Such generosity, for such a worthy the world. Cultural program featured the following six grants worth $14,000. cause, is a blessing," said Dan Flannery, music and dances from China, India, Four of the six grants are together worth The P-C's executive editor. "It speaks Egypt, Laos, West Africa, South, $11,000 represent an investment in volumes for IndUS that the people in the Mexico and Native America. IndUS children of Fox Valley area. The organization responded to our call for represented India with two dances: a remainder of the grants worth $3000 will help in such a powerful way.‖ He added, Punjabi folk dance Giddha by Sonia benefit children in the poor rural and "Not only is this a tremendous example Beherawala, tribal communities in India. of their understanding of the need by one Nidhi Kumar, group, it's a timely reminder that we live Tejdeep Sodhi The Post Crescent‘s ―Backpacks for a n d P a y a l Kids‖ Campaign that helps 2600 in an exceptional place, where giving is as common as breathing, and where Sharma and a students in four counties. Amount per- awarded: $7000 neighbors take care of each other with words, deeds and dollars." f o r m a n c e Kalavati Tarana UW-Oshkosh; UW-Fox Valley; and IndUS thanks all the individuals and b y M o n i c a Fox Valley Technical College: corporations for their generous Singh. The Childcare assistance to student- donations, sponsorship, advertisements audience re- parents in need. Amount awarded and other kinds of support that ceived the $4000. empowers us to undertake such dances with important, needed community initiatives. great aplomb (Pictures by Paul Heyeks). ADAIRE (Mr. D.P. & Mrs. We also thank the following volunteers Shreemayee Kar, Green Bay) toward on the Investing in Children Task Force: Let’s Share Dr. Mahendra Doshi, Mr. Tim Higgins, Ms. Ruth Mansukhani, Mr. Shekar Rao, IndUS has revived ―Let‘s Share‖, a Dr. Ram Shet, Dr. B. S. Sridhar, and Dr. popular program that was very warmly Ritu Subramony. received a few years ago! There is tremendous amount of expertise and IndUS continues the Investing in wisdom among our members who have Children Campaign and solicits you excelled in diverse fields: medicine, continued support for this project as the science and technology, management, need for investing in our future entrepreneurship, art, music, and such. generations is more acute than ever. ―Let‘s Share‖ provides a forum to come together, share, learn, discuss and grow. Food of All Nations On Sunday October, 4, 2009, Dr. Sudeep IndUS has been a major contributor to Foods of All Nations, an annual fund- raiser organized by Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center. It is a celebration of food and cultural entertainment of diversity in the Fox Valley. Several IndUS volunteers were involved in this building Learning Centers year‘s celebration on September 19, in villages of Balabhadrapur, Kaly- 2009 in downtown Appleton. The day anpur, and Ghusuriadhia, all located turned out to be perfect for such an in the state of Orissa, India. Amoutn awarded: $2000 (Total Project Cost: outdoor celebration. Hundreds of people Sodhi, Gastroenterologist, Affinity Health System, addressed on $6000). ―Nutritional Strategies toward Better Health of South Asians in USA”. The Shama Inc. (Mrs. Jyoti and Dr, event held at Harmony Café, Appleton, Jagdish Chander, Stevens Point) to was very well attended. A lively purchase books, audio-visual discussion followed a very interesting equipment and furniture for school presentation. libraries used by tribal children in the villages of Mhaskal and Adivali Mark your calendar for the next in Maharashtra, India. Amount presentation in the series on Sunday, Sandesh page 13

November 1, 2009, at 11:00 am, at For more information about the event The Board of Directors Harmony Café, Appleton. The upcoming visit www.indusfoxvalley.org. One Mr. Tim Higgins presentation by Mr. Prateek Mehrotra & could also download the registration Chairman Mr. Rob Riedl, Sumnicht & Associates form from the web site. Ms. Nancy Heykes LLC, Appleton, is entitled: Invest Like Harvard and Yale in a Recovering Multicultural Night at Highlands Dr. Laxman Kailas Economy! Come join us to network and Elementary School, Appleton Ms. Ruth Mansukhani learn and have a good time! Please Friday, November 6, 2009 between 5-7. Mr. Prateek Mehrotra RSVP Yogesh Maheshwari, Vice IndUS will have a booth with Ms. Kavita Shet President of IndUS of Fox Valley, and information on India that would interest Ms. Shakti Shukla the organizer of ―Let‘s Share‖ at: little kids- such as pictures, food Mr. Mohit Uberoi [email protected]. samples, a flag, a map, , bindis, Mr. Michael Van Asten currency and some clothes for dress-up. Mr. Kurt Wanless Up-coming Events Dr. Mahendra Doshi (Ex-President) Multicultural Fair at Edna Ferber Elementary School, Appleton Mr. Datta Mislankar IndUS-2009 (N.E.W. India Association: ex-officio) IndUS has been invited to participate in this fair on November 14, 2009. Sridevi The President, Vice President, Secretary, The IndUS-2009 celebration is on and Treasurer of IndUS Exe. Committee Buddi is on the school‘s organizing Saturday, November 21st at Radisson committee. She and few more volunteers are ex-officio members of the board. Paper Valley Hotel. The theme for this will represent IndUS at this event. The Executive Team year‘s annual banquet is ―The Glorious Tradition of Textiles and Jewelry‖. Dr. Sandhya Sridhar Under the leadership of Kamal Varma President IndUS-2009 and Yogesh Maheshwari different teams Tickets Reservation Form Mr. Yogesh Maheshwari are working hard to put this event Vice President together. In one evening you will take a Name: ______Mr. Rakesh Kaushika journey in a colorful world of Indian Secretary textiles and jewelry and learn about their Address: ______Ms. Preeti Parekh historic and social influence on the Treasurer country. You would not only take a ______Mr. Ashok Tannan visual tour of diverse Indian textiles, you would also see the hard work which goes Member-at-Large Telephone: ______behind the scene and brings it alive. Dr. Ritu Subramony IndUS Exhibition committee is busy Member-at-Large trying to make it a spectacular show for Email: ______Team Leaders you that evening. Your taste buds would Dr. B. S. Sridhar (Cultural Programs) have a feast by experiencing the Non-Member x $35 $ _____ Ms. Sridevi Buddi authentic mouth watering Indian dishes IndUS Member x $30 $ _____ (Education & Outreach) which Dr. Peter D‘Souza, with the help of Chief chef Matt Winters of Radisson, Mr. Rajeev Dugal (Fund Raising) would prepare for that evening. To bring Full-Time Student x $20 $ _____ Mr. Rakesh Kaushika (Publicity) the evening to a climax, a cultural pro- Tickets Sub-Total $ _____ Dr. Badri Varma gram would take you in the fantasy word of passion, mystery and suspense (Chief Editor, Sandesh) IndUS Membership through a play. Please come and join us Dr. Ramakant Shet for all that fun. In the past these annual To become an IndUS member or renew (Archives & Record) banquets have been a sold out event; your membership for 2010, complete the Ms. Kavita Shet (Representative, Fox however, the tickets are still available. form below and mail together with your Cities Rotary Multicultural Center) Please fill the form and along with your registration. check send it to □ Individual Member $10 Visit our website at □ Family Member $20 www.indusfoxvalley.org Sandhya Maheshwari 2401 W. Jonathan Drive □ Life Membership $200 Contact us at Appleton, WI 54914 [email protected] □ Benefactor ($100-$ 499) $ ____

Name Join the IndUS team Address We cordially invite you to become a member of IndUS. Please mail your completed form and check to: Telephone E-mail

IndUS of Fox Valley List Family Members 3600 N. Shawnee Ave. Annual Membership Dues (Check One) Appleton, WI 54914 Individual $10 Phone: 920-749-4911 Member Family Member $20

Benefactor $100 - $499

Patron $500 or more

Donation for IndUS $ Future Fund TOTAL $

IndUS Of Fox Valley 3600 N. Shawnee Ave. Appleton WI 54914

IndUS of Fox Valley Presents

Saturday, November 21, 2009 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Radisson Paper Valley Hotel Appleton

Exhibition Social Hour Authentic Indian Cuisine Cultural Program

Details to come