Standing patiently in a line running the length of the Hyde Community Center park on August 9, a hungry crowd eagerly waited for Sridhar Periyasamy to hand-make savory dosas (thin pancakes).
Pouring out a light batter on a sizzling griddle, the cook from Watertown’s Chennai Eats masterfully created giant, crispy meals for attendees at Newton’s India Day celebration, hosted by the Indian American Community (IAC) of Newton.
The event was “filled with great energy from our performers, an amazing crowd, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from our vendors,” said Heena Bhatt, IAC of Newton’s co-founder and president.
In India, the holiday is “celebrated on August 15 … [marking] the nation’s liberation from British colonial rule,” according to the government of India.
For the Newton Highlands celebration, Bhatt estimated that there were about 350-400 visitors, including Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, who briefly spoke to the crowd.
Rishi Prabhu performed to Bollywood hits for Newton’s India Day. (courtesy/IAC Newton) 
L-R: Heena Bhatt and Sumana Hatwar perform one of India’s oldest classical dance forms, Kathak, at Newton’s India Day celebration. (courtesy/IAC Newton) 
Seven energetic kids, ages 5-12, performed as The Dancing Burritos, named for “Burr” Elementary School, at Newton’s India Day celebration. (courtesy/IAC Newton)
As children showed off their Bollywood dance moves, attendees lounged on the grass or sat on chairs set up around the outdoor stage, enjoying the entertainment. In addition to the youth group, there were folk dancers, a young singer, and a band that blended music genres to create a rocking beat, among other performers.
L-R: From left, Veda Bhatt, a rising eighth-grader and Dhruv Deshmukh, a rising freshman, participated in Newton’s India Day celebration. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
L-R: Rishi Hebbar on guitar, vocalist Shivangi Nadkar on bass, Johsh Bhatt on guitar, and Dylan Peters on drums — members of the Indian American Community of Newton House Band — performed at Newton’s India Day celebration. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Vyom Sharma, a rising second-grader, performed a song from the 2017 Hindi-language movie, “Jab Harry Met Sejal,” for Newton’s India Day celebration. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Those who wanted to quench their thirst on the warm day could get refreshing cups of hot or iced chai from Rajiv Roy, owner of The Real Chai in Roslindale.
L-R: Rajashree of MD Collections and Narmadha of Nila Women Clothing selling their goods at Newton’s India Day celebration. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Colorful jewelry by MD Collections, for sale at Newton’s India Day celebration (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Peg dolls of Indian gods and goddesses, by artist Meenakshi Krishnamoorthy of Meena Art and Craft, were for sale at Newton’s India Day celebration. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
There were more vendors set up around the park, including those selling clothing, art, peg dolls, and other items. The face-painting booth was very popular with the younger crowd, while others enjoyed having two volunteers paint henna (dye) designs onto their hands and arms for voluntary donations to the Newton Food Pantry. By the end of the day, the artists raised more than $130.
Reflecting on the successful event, Bhatt shared that an attendee told her that “the celebration beautifully reflected the pride and love we feel for both our roots and our present home, while nurturing our culture and heritage across generations.”
