Indian Festivals Abroad: From Community Halls to Global Public Celebrations

From Community Halls to Trafalgar Square: How Indian Festivals Went Global There was a time when celebrating an Indian festival abroad meant finding a community hall. Someone booked the hall. Someone brought a sound system.

Someone arranged the food. Children performed a dance. Parents sat in rows.

And, if the samosas ran out early, the organising committee had a small crisis. That world has changed. Today, Indian festivals are increasingly visible in some of the world’s most prominent public spaces.

Diwali is celebrated in Trafalgar Square in London. New York City closes its public schools…