
‘Spirit of India’
A small group of Indian Moms from Mid-West America, once came together to celebrate India’s Independence Day. In a short time, it gathered momentum and now runs as
Spirit Of India programs.
This annual event celebrates India’s cultural wisdom.
Each year, a theme is selected that inspires performances, enrichment, exhibits and workshops.
India cradles one of the most ancient cultures rich in knowledge for life. We intend to explore the relevance of this knowledge for today’s times
Find other SOI programs on the links below
This theme opened with a casual Ladies virtual meet. on 15 August 2023 and is ongoing as part of 2025 projects.
We are Thankful to Dr. Sowmya Anand and Mrs Neeta Bobaday for their support and encouragement in starting the project.
Stay tuned on this page for more updates as they come.
Spirit Of India celebrates
‘Waters of India’
as part of our ‘Water project’
We are gathering Water stories from Indian subcontinent while exploring its cultural links to its geographical regions.
If you would like to share Folklore, Ritual, literature or any memories on the theme, please submit the form below to get started.
SOI 2024- ‘Designs of India’
This year’s SOI program will include Designing Talks, revolving around Indian Culture. Talks will open 26 January 2024 as part of Conscious Designing Inquiry project and will continue as SOI 2024 program celebrating various cultural languages. Special focus will be on intergenerational talks including kids and Senior members (grandparents).
Below are selected audio excerpts of poems and songs by kids and grandparents.
The talks below are excerpts of Moms day virtual meet with SOI Grandmoms who were part of past SOI events.
Spirit of India 2022
Fabrics of India on The Silk Road
Fabrics of India on The Silk Road
Spirit of India 2022- on its 75th Independence Day, is celebrating the traditional Fabrics, not just of India but from all its friendly regions along the ancient Silk Route.
We are thankful to Dr. Sowmya Anand and Dr. Sang Lee for their help and support with SOI 2022 events. We are grateful to Asian American Cultural Center for their collaboration and for hosting ‘Fabrics of India on the Silk Road’ exhibit.
These events are part of E2E2Re project.
A Fabric and Textiles Exhibit is on from 15 August to 30 September at Asian American Cultural Center. The center has planned an open house on 1 September, all students, staff and community are welcomed! Virtual meets are in planning following the the main online event on 15 August on zoom.
UPDATES- Thankyou to all the virtual event Guests- Ms. Kalika Kekkar, Mrs Linda Thiele, Mrs Mohan Tracy, Ms Chong-Hwey Fee, Ms Alice Sinzato, and Special Thanks to our Co-Host- Dr. Sowmya Anand.
We are thankful to our guest exhibitors: Ms Shilpa Deshpande, Mrs. Padma Dudihalli, Ms Zoila Lagos, Mrs Nandini Topudurti, Twice Is a Nice Thrift Shop. Special thanks to Ms Sang Lee for all the support and cooperation with the Exhibit.
The Exhibition comprised of not just Traditional/ Cultural Textiles but also included Art with Fabrics, functional items, Contemporary designs all around the use of Fabrics.
Find the virtual meet talks here, about the Guests in their Bios below, some exhibit samples on this page
The aim of undertaking this project is to highlight our Rich Artistic Textile Culture and look at the sustainable aspects of traditional Fabrics. These Fabrics used natural resources and were woven on handlooms, maintaining the health of small local Economies and Ecologies.
SOI 2022- ‘Fabrics of India on The Silk Road’
The aim of undertaking this project is to highlight our rich artistic culture and look at the sustainable aspects of traditional Fabrics. These Fabrics were totally made from natural resources and woven on handlooms, maintaining the health of small local Economies and Ecologies.
Today’s Globalised world might not be able to contain the past systems of Textile making, we might not have time for the intrinsic details and flavors that handmade handwoven fabrics carried, but should we Rethink Clothing? Fast Fashion? Is there a need for Circular Fashion? What is the real cost of a T-Shirt worth a dollar. Lets discuss the impact of our clothing, traditional and modern, during our fun events to follow through the month. While doing so, let’s celebrate our traditional Fabrics in all its glorious forms!