In last five years, the Indian Community in Western Australia has grown 65% in numbers and today more than 49,348 people born in India call Western Australia, home, according to 2016 Census.
The Indian diaspora in Western Australia is the fourth largest migrant diaspora of the state and the Indian Society of Western Australia also known as ISWA, established in 1972 is all set to host yet another mega theatrical Indian event, Sangam 2017 (previously known as Navrang) in Perth on 19th August.
Sangam 2017 organised by ISWA every year co-incides with India’s Independence Day celebrations and is a flagship program that showcases Indian performances including skits, music, Indian classical dance, folk dance and bollywood dance.
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This year the event will be held at Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre where more than 2500 people including WA ministers and parliamentarians are expected to attend.
ISWA Vice-president, Surya Ambati said, “Indian Society of WA (ISWA) is a not to profit organisation that was established in 1972 and works as an umbrella body of most Indian Organisations in WA to assist, encourage, participate and initiate activities, which promote the welfare, social, cultural and educational aspects of Australian Indians.”
ISWA, an umbrella organisation to 27 incorporated associations with a total membership base of over 20,000 in WA has planned for more than 30 performances featuring 400 performers for Sangam 2017.
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“The performances are from various Indian dance schools, regional associations and Indian student groups. About 30 performances were selected based on two rounds of auditions and everyone is practising daily in the lead up to the event,” Mr Ambati said.
Some of the organisations participating this year are Narthanalaya School of Indian Classical Dance by Shobana Gobu Iyer, Assam Association of WA, Bhairavi Dance School, Academy of Indian Classical & Bollywood Dance, Rangeelo Dance Group, Tamil Association of WA, Ram's Bollywood Bandwagon, Perth Mauritian Cultural Association, Maharashtra Mandal Perth, Centre of Rhythm Studios, WA Kannada Sangha, DESI Student Society, V-Dance and Perth Sinhala School.
ISWA regularly organises activities to preserve Indian culture and art by engaging the younger generation of the community. After Sangam 2017, ISWA will be organising the Indian festival of Lights, Diwali where more than 36 different organisations will come together for this mela which is attended by over 30,000 people.
Punjabi women perform the folk dance, 'gidda', during Sawan celebrations. Source: Supplied
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Are you organising an event for the Indian community in Australia? Write to us at mosiqi.acharya@sbs.com.au
