Beyond Bollywood: Indian-Americans get a call up from Smithsonian

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They've been eulogized in recent decades as the model minority, celebrated for their achievements in different fields, and feted for their contribution to American society. They own some of the most-prized records in the United States, from the best-educated ethnic group to earners of the highest per capita income, nearly twice the national average.


But their history in the United States going back two centuries has been a spottily-recorded mystery, although the first ones arrived on these shores in the 1790, just a over a decade after American independence.


On Tuesday, the storied Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC plugged this gap significantly, rolling out the first-ever exhibition chronicling the heritage of Indian immigrants and Indian-America
Beyond Bollywood: Indian-Americans get a call up from Smithsonian - The Times of India

 

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From workers who built some of America's first railways in the West to the creator of Hotmail, a new exhibition here showcases the contributions made by Indian Americans to the country's culture beyond Bollywood.


In seven sections spread over 5,000-square feet, "Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation" explores over 200 years' history of Indian immigration, their spiritual and religious influences, and their achievements in academics, science and sports.


Mounted by Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Centre, at the National Museum of Natural History, it also takes a close look at Indian Americans' contributions to art, food, music and dance.
Celebrating 200 years of immigration from India