Mid City Times

The City of Fort Worth is gearing up to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a special program titled "Bollywood: East Meets West". Scheduled for Thursday, May 9, from noon to 1 p.m., the event aims to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of AAPI communities in the United States.

The main highlight of the program will be a presentation by Joshi Hetal, a dedicated performing artist known for preserving cultural traditions through Indian folk and Bharatanatyam dances. Hetal's segment will delve into the intricacies of Indian traditional dance, the history of Bollywood, and its profound cultural significance and influence on pop culture. Additionally, attendees can look forward to a mesmerizing performance and dance instruction by artists trained under Hetal's guidance in both traditional Indian and Bollywood-style dance.

As part of the City of Fort Worth Diversity & Inclusion employee committee's efforts to promote diversity and celebrate AAPI heritage, the Bollywood-themed event promises to be an engaging and educational experience for participants. Viewers can watch the program via FWTV and the City’s YouTube channel.

With approximately 20.6 million individuals of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States, the AAPI community represents a diverse and continually growing segment of the population, contributing significantly to the country's cultural tapestry.

In the spirit of honoring and recognizing the AAPI community's invaluable contributions, the City of Fort Worth's Bollywood program serves as a fitting tribute during the annual AAPI Heritage Month celebration.

For those interested in exploring the vibrant world of Bollywood and gaining insights into the rich cultural heritage it represents, the City's upcoming event is set to offer a captivating and immersive experience, as articulated by Joshi Hetal, "The program will feature a presentation by Joshi Hetal, a passionate performing artist focused on maintaining cultural tradition through Indian folk and Bharatanatyam dances, that includes an overview of Indian traditional dance, a history of Bollywood and its cultural significance and influence on pop culture. There also will be a performance and instruction by dancers who have been trained by Hetal in both traditional Indian and Bollywood-style dance."