Sixth Annual 'Taste of India' Festival Sunday, April 22

The Asian Indian community in Hampton Roads will celebrate and share its heritage and culture from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at Old Dominion University's Ted Constant Convocation Center.

The sixth annual "Taste of India" festival, which is free and open to the public, will highlight the culture of India through live musical and dance performances, ethnic Indian foods and a wide variety of exhibits and booths.

"Taste of India" will celebrate its 2012 "Bollywood" theme with presentations highlighting the impact changing cultural styles, particularly Mumbai-based Bollywood, have had on Indian dance and filmmaking over the years.

There will also be classical Indian and Bollywood dance performances, an Indian bridal fashion show, yoga expos, carnival games and a collegiate Bhangra dance contest.

According to Vinod Agarwal, ODU professor of economics and one of the organizers of the event, "Taste of India" is one of the largest Asian Indian festivals in Virginia. "We had more than 8,000 attendees last year and we expect more than 10,000 this year," he said.

The Asian Indian community plays an important role in the Hampton Roads region, Agarwal added, contributing $140 million annually to the local economy.

"This community is represented by over 140 physicians, 50 Ph.D. scientists and engineers, many hotel and small-business owners, and numerous software and IT professionals," he said. "Old Dominion University alone has 28 professors of Asian Indian descent."

For more information about the event visit www.tasteofindiahr.org or contact Agarwal at vagarwal@odu.edu.