A rich display of Indian dances, music, cuisine and culture at the online event organized by the Indian Consulate and Indian Cultural Centre with the SP state government and Museum of Immigration
Our Bureau
Sao Paulo
Seventy-five weeks before India completes 75 years of Independence on August 15, 2022, the country will be celebrating the ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’. As the beginning of the celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a (Freedom March) from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad last month. The
Prime Minister has also addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat and talked about the program, saying said it will “elevate the country to newer heights and instill a passion to do something for the country”.
The event will also be celebrated across the world, including in Brazil which is the biggest Latin American country and economy.
Disha Malani 
Iara Ananda Romano
Amit Kumar Mishra 
Alessandra Almeida
On April 15, Consulate General of India, Sao Paulo, and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Sao Paulo, launched the celebrations of 75 years of Independence of India, with a day-long celebration of Indian culture at Museum of Immigration in Sao Paulo. The event was organized in collaboration with the State Government of Sao Paulo and was transmitted Live on the YouTube Channel of Museum of Immigration, Sao Paulo.
Consul General Amit Kumar Mishra inaugurated the event and highlighted the importance of the celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence in his opening remarks. He talked about the significant role played by the freedom fighters in India’s Freedom struggle and creating a roadmap for growth and progress that helped India develop as an independent nation. In his address, the Consul General also highlighted the phenomenal growth shown by India in the last 75 years. Alessandra Almeida, Executive Director of Museum of Immigration, also joined the virtual opening ceremony and congratulated everyone on 75 years of India’s independence.
The cultural event started with a classical an Indian classical dance performance by Ms Iara Ananda Romano. In her Bharatnatyam presentation, Ms. Iara performed ‘Krishna Padam: Kannan Vara Kanane’, which was an intricately-crafted lyrical performance that depicted the outpouring of emotions by the Nayika. The Bharatnatyam performance was followed by a sitar recital by Fabio Kidesh, who delighted the audience with a rendition of Raga Bhairavi. Meeta Ravindran, a classical Indian musician settled in Brazil, recited the Ganesha and Gayatri Vandana, followed by a Kathak dance presentation of Saraswati and Rudrashtakam Stotram by Gyaneshree Karahe.
Meeta Ravindran 
Sagar Karahe
The ‘India Day’ celebrations at the Museum of Immigration was a combination of performances and workshops. The workshops included a special ‘Bhangra’ dance workshop by Ms. Disha Malani; a culinary workshop sharing recipes for semolina pudding ‘Suji Halwa’ and Chicken Tikka Masala was presented by Ms. Deepali Bavaskar, the well-known Chef of the local Indian restaurant ‘Samosa and Company’. The celebration also included a Yoga workshop by Mr. Sagar Karahe.
The celebration ended with the screening of the Bollywood film ‘Neerja’ through the online platform #CulturaEmCasa. The Museum of Immigration located in the Mooca neighborhood in east Sao Paulo. The famous museum is housed in the Immigrant Inn building, which opened in 1887. The Museum was formally launched on 25 June 1993 by an official decree. It is famous for its festival of immigrants. Sao Paulo, the biggest Brazilian city, is home to almost all nationalities from around the world. The Indian community has a sizable presence in the city as compared to other places in Brazil.
