“We were sitting with our Indianica team in our assigned seats in the auditorium. The auditorium was bustling with prominent personalities of the South Asian community, members of the press and Indianica Families. Our entire team was enthralled and overwhelmed to be part of a group representing the arts and cultures not only of one but two motherlands (India & America). We heard a voice thanking and paying respects to our Guruji(teacher). All the way in front of the auditorium an unassuming figure stood up, turned around, and very gracefully took a bow with her hands joined: The founder of Indianica Academy, Mrs. Padma Khanna Sidana. Her humility sparked something in me. I looked to my peers and said ‘We should stand up’. Our team stood up applauding our Guruji and the entire auditorium followed suit.” This is how Mr. Devansh Gupta recollectsthe evening of July 20, 2012.

The Cultural Pioneers Dinner was held by Indianica Academy and hosted by T.V. Asia on July 20, 2012 with full attendance at the Mahatma Gandhi Auditorium at the T.V. Asia headquarters in Edison, New Jersey. Indianica is an arts, culture and knowledge institution based in Iselin, New Jersey. For over 16 years Indianica Academy has brought to the South Asian diaspora multicultural fine arts programs that maintains a strong relationship with the educated elite of our community! From rigorous training of Indian classical & cultural dances (Kathak & folk), Indian music (vocal and instrumental), and stage and screen acting lessons, Indianica Academy is home for artists and art lovers of all ages.

Indianica Academy organizes an annual gala performance endearingly titled "Chamakte Sitaaray" every June bringing to stage performers of all ages, backgrounds, talents and expertise. We are humbled to be associated with the rich culture and art of India not only in the Tri-State area but also among South Asians across the nation. Indianica Academy strives every day to bring Indo-American harmony not only in performances but also in our democratic value-based teaching methods and our systematic curriculum.

August 2012 marks Indianica Academy\'s entry on to the global stage! But this isn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t just our glory, for the first time an American based organization will perform traditional Indian dance at the PAE 2012 London Invitational during the Olympics! The trail we blaze in England will be followed by other organizations but we are proud to be the first to share our unique South Asian perspective on Indian idealism, truthfulness and tradition.Indianica Academy is excited to announce the names of twenty-four PAE 2012 London Invitational performers who are all local artists belonging to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania regions. As either enrolled students or alumni, they bring with them Indianica Academy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s unique brand and obsession with perfection!

Esteemed Senior Professor from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai) and Visiting Professor at The New School University (New York), Dr. Usha S. Nayar wrote to the students of Indianica:

“Once you are part of such an organization that has graced many stages, performed for important delegations, mingled with the best-of and the most-important people in our community without once forgetting the youngest performer, the slowest learner or the shyest newcomer, it is impossible to imagine anything "less than" perfect! Stand proud among your colleagues, artists, friends and teachers… you are standing among the best people who not only value humility but value the dedication required to achieve the kind of accolades Indianica has achieved. Whether you are headed to London with your friends or not, your performances are bound to be showcased one way or another because Indianica Academy is ultimately about you.”

Indianica Academy under the direction of Mrs. Padma Khanna Sidana and Mr. Jagdish L. Sidana has accepted a regionally exclusive invitation to perform in the London 2012 Invitational of the Performing Arts Educators (PAE). The group will be performing during the London Summer Olympics 2012. Performance venues in London will include venues in the Olympic borough of Tower Hamlets, within walking distance of the Olympic equestrian competitions at Greenwich. In addition, Indianica Academy will appear on the stages at the Performing Arts Educators, All UK Performing Arts Festival at Warwick Castle, historic seat of the English house of the White Roses. There will be plenty of time to sightsee, attend cultural events, and of course, see Olympics events, which are scheduled throughout the greater London area. We know that Indianica Academy will be welcomed in London by not only English audiences but also by the large South Asian community that is expected to turn out for the outdoor festival performances on the lawns of Warwick Castle (next to the river Avon) and of Island Gardens (next to the River Thames).

Indianica Academy has been honored with the Finale Position at the last two PAE Annual Lincoln Center Invitationals. Indianica Academy is an American based dance school which features Indian dance including traditional to Bollywood. Indianica is dedicated to preserving and promulgating the rich world of Indian dance to American audiences and preserving the tradition among its young dancers.

Indianica will be warmly welcomed in London by not only English audiences but by the large Indian community, which is expected to turn out for the large outdoor festival performances on the lawns of Warwick Castle (next to the river Avon) and of Island Gardens (next to the River Thames).

Indianica will perform three different pieces showcasing distinct Indian styles from classical Kathak to folk Bhangra to Bollywood fusion. Ranging from the Gayatri Mantra to a dance ballad of an episode of the Krishna Leela. Participants in the London 2012 Invitational will experience the opportunities and spirit of the great city of London during that exciting time and will help represent Indo-American performing arts, known throughout the world for its quality and professionalism.

As opined by revered Pt. Nehru, Indianica firmly believes that “Success comes to those who dare and act; it seldom comes to the timid.” So here we are, daring to achieve with the help and support of our community and families.

 Indianica would like to thank Mr. H.R. Shah and TV ASIA for taking the lead as media sponsor and collaborator and positively encouraging this endeavor of global representation.

Pledge your support for you community by filling out the pledge card and if you can include the link. http://indianicaacademy.com/images/CulturalPioneers/Pledge%20card%202012.pdf