Indo-American Arts Council celebrated its 15th anniversary with more than 250 of New York’s crème de la crème at the Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Performing Arts on Thursday night. The non-profit organization acknowledged the numerous contributions of Indian performing, visual and literary arts to New York City’s diverse cultural landscape.
The IAAC honoured three outstanding Indian-Americans, author Salman Rushdie, filmmaker Mira Nair and Dr. Manjula Bansal, for their commitment and contributions to the global artistic community.
“The IAAC has done invaluable work in creating a showcase for Indian Americans in many art forms. I'm delighted to have been a supporter from the earliest days,” said author and IAAC supporter Salman Rushdie.

Filmmaker Mira Nair with IAAC Exec. Dir. Aroon Shivdasani /Andy Chang
"Love and salaams to dynamic Aroon and the IAAC for bringing us our cinema for 15 years. Woo Hoo!" exclaimed Mira Nair whose film Monsoon Wedding closed the first IAAC film festival.
“IAAC has been the perfect platform for nourishing and promoting Indian heritage, through the medium of performing arts, in our adopted homeland – the U.S.,” said Dr. Manjula Bansal, one of the honorees at the gala.
Headlining the entertainment at the event was Oscar-winning duo: singer/songwriter/composer Paul Williams (Oscar winner with Barbara Streisand for 'Evergreen') with pianist/composer Kenny Ascher, of 'Rainbow Connection' (from The Muppet Movie) fame.
Additionally, Exclusively.In presented a breath-taking runway show featuring the creativity of iconic Delhi-based designer Manish Arora through his 'Indian' collection.

Designer Manish Arora's collection on the runway /Andy Chang
The emcee for the evening was comedian Dan Nainan, and some of the celebrities who presented awards and walked the red carpet included: chef and author Madhur Jaffrey, actor Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), writer and filmmaker Sabrina Dhawan, actor Sakina Jaffrey (House of Cards), author, screenwriter, producer Tracey Jackson, Ambassador Manjeev Puri, actors Reshma Shetty (Royal Pains) and Manu Narayan, just to name a few.

Pianist Kenny Ascher performing with vocalist Paul Williams/ Andy Chang
IAAC is the first and only Indian Arts Council in the United States representing all of the artistic disciplines, including theatre, dance, music, film, folk arts, literature and fashion. The IAAC pioneered the first annual Indian theatre, film, dance and playwright festivals in the country, as well as an annual travelling exhibition of contemporary Indian art.
Source:Jingo Media
Feature Image: Author Salman Rusdhie being honoured by Aroon Shivdasani and chef and author Madhur Jaffrey, Andy Chang
Annual, Anokhi Blogs, Anokhi Media, Aroon Shivdasani, Arts, Awards, Celebrities, Community, Dan Nainan, Delhi, Designer, Dr. Manjula Bansal, Fashion, Fashion Designer, Indo-american Arts Council, International, Kenny Ascher, Madhur Jaffrey, Manish Arora, Manu Narayan, Mira Nair, Paul Williams, Pianist, Reshma Shetty, Salman Rushdie, Sarita Choudhury, Tracey Jackson
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