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Local Indian community to unite at USF festival

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: November 7, 2009

TAMPA - Dinesh Gandhi was born in Navsari, a thriving city in state of Gujarat in eastern India, far from the Tampa Bay area, where he now makes his home.

Active in the local community, the 45-year-old New Port Richey life insurance agent and entrepreneur is so busy his hectic schedule only allows him to visit his homeland every couple of years.

But Gandhi anxiously looks forward to every November when the area Indian community rolls out a cultural celebration that draws thousands of people to Tampa.

The 22nd annual India Festival takes place from 1 to 10 p.m. today at the University of South Florida's Sun Dome, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. The celebration is sponsored by the Gujarati Sumaj of Tampa Bay.

"We call it the India Festival, but people from all over the Southeast call it the Tampa Festival," said Gandhi, co-chair of the festival's advertising committee.

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the festival, including visitors from as far away as Central Florida, Miami, Jacksonville, Alabama and Georgia.

"We are far from home," Gandhi said. "We want to celebrate our culture."

The one-day celebration of Indian culture and heritage also offers all local residents an opportunity to experience authentic Indian food, ethnic songs and dances, and a variety of languages from many of India's 28 states and regions at one location, said Mukesh Kapadia, chairman of this year's festival.

The festival has booked 56 entries for entertainment and demonstration venues and nearly 70 commitments for booths, where vendors will sell and display authentic Indian clothing, jewelry, food, art, CDs, crafts and books.

There will be folk dance competitions for minors, juniors, high school students and senior age groups, Kapadia said. Performers will demonstrate Garba, Raas and Bhangra, all ethnic group dances.

"It's a fierce competition" for dancing supremacy, Kapadia said.

Organizers hope the festival attracts as many as 15,000 people, because they have plans to promote it nationwide within five years.

"We are bringing the community together," Gandhi said.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

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