In February 2014, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center will open Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation, a groundbreaking exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). The exhibition will explore the heritage, daily experience and numerous, diverse contributions that Indian immigrants and Indian Americans have made to shaping the United States. Included in the exhibition will be historical and contemporary images and several dozen artifacts, including those documenting histories of discrimination and resistance, those conveying daily experiences and those symbolizing achievements across the professions. Music and visual art works providing commentary on the Indian American experience will also form a critical component of the exhibition.

Among the specific topics to be covered are: early (late 1800s-1900s) immigrant experiences, struggles for citizenship in the first half of the 20th century, professional contributions from the 1960s and beyond, organizing for labor rights, women's rights and labor rights and cultural contributions through food, music, dance and in the entertainment industry.

After a one-year tenure at the Smithsonian, Beyond Bollywood will travel to 15 sites throughout the US, reaching Indian American communities and others closer to home. To inquire about hosting the exhibition, please write to IndianAmerican@si.edu.

To donate, visit: http://indianamerican.si.edu/donation.asp

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