By JOE JAROSZ
Northeast News
April 16, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Curiosity doesn’t always kill the cat, it also, on occasion, teaches.

This past Saturday, the North-East Library held its Cultural Celebration of India, which featured ceremonial dances, poetry readings and samplings of Indian cuisine. The event was one in a series that focuses on teaching different cultures. In June, the library will host a celebration of Liberia.

Anjali Tata-Hudson, a University of Kansas instructor, choreographer and operator of Anjali’s Dance School, brought several students with her to perform traditional Indian dances. She said all three dances her students performed have links to the cultures theology and spirituality.

“Religion and spirituality are in all of our traditions and rituals,” Tata-Hudson said. “We’re all part of different cultures.”

Jose Faus, organizer of the event and series and emcee for Saturday’s event, thanked the room of nearly 40 people for attending the event.

“We do this to celebrate different cultures and programs,” Faus said.

Northest Resident Crowell Thompson, said he attended the event because he’s always had an interest in the Vedanta philosophy, or as he called it, “Hinduism for the west.”

“I like to study different cultures,” Thompson said.

Paula Winchester lives near the Plaza but when she found out about the event, she felt nostalgic. She recently spent a little over a month in India and wanted to continue learning about the culture she recently returned from.

“I really enjoyed myself there and the culture,” Winchester said.

Angela Carroll, a library technical assistant, said it is important for libraries like North-East to host events like this, especially when there is diversity in the community.

“These are very family friendly events,” Carroll said.