The Lake County Indian Association celebrated the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from the United Kingdom with a festival Sunday at William Peterson Park in Buffalo Grove that incorporated several aspects of Indian culture.
Officials estimate about 1,000 people showed up throughout the day for the India Independence Day event, which featured food and live entertainment.
Gowri Magati, president of the association and one of the key festival organizers, said in a written statement to Pioneer Press she thought the event went well and brought together the community. Volunteers, businesses and community organizations participated.
“It brought together the people from diverse backgrounds and different regions of India together to celebrate the momentous 75th Indian Independence Day,” she said.
The event celebrated India breaking away from the British Empire Aug. 15, 1947, and included classical and folk music and dance, as well as multiple languages, spiritual practices and activities. An array of clothing styles were also displayed, as well as different cuisines from across India, Magati said.
The performances included 3-year-olds who celebrated Sachin Tendulkar, who Magati described as one of the heroes of modern India. Others who performed danced to patriotic songs, including “Vande Mataram,” India’s national song.
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About 20 business owners also set up booths supporting the event. Many local officials, including state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove , and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Deerfield, were in attendance.
Didech spoke at the event, which he described as wonderful, and called himself an ally of the Indian American community.
“The Indian American community does so much to make Buffalo Grove a welcoming place to live,” he told Pioneer Press. “I admire and respect their culture and traditions.”
Rohan Sahasrabudhe, 19, of Buffalo Grove, said he attended because some members of his family were performing in some of the various shows throughout the day. Sahasrabudhe said it was nice to see so many Indians in one place.
“Normally, in America, the celebrations [of India’s independence] aren’t that big,” he said. “You kind of recognize it at home and go along with your day. But to see that there’s this many people here … it’s kind of nice.”
Arun Pookote, of Buffalo Grove, said something similar to Sahasrabudhe, saying that there aren’t many large events to celebrate Indian culture. While he came out to the event to show pride and partake in the culture, he was also helping operate a booth for his religious school.
Vernon Township co-hosted the festival in the park. Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg, who gave a speech at the event, said it was part of a broader effort to be more inclusive within the community. He said he hopes more there will be more events that celebrate various cultures, such as Diwali or the Lantern Festival.
“Learning about one’s culture and other cultures brings them to life and reduces anxiety and … racism,” Altenberg said.
Altenberg also said it was significant to see as many people attend as did, considering the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on festivals for the past year-and-a-half.
“We’ve been in the dark so long and I’m hoping we don’t go back into that darkness,” he said.