SI Interns Go “Beyond Bollywood”

Masum Momaya with SI Interns

On Thursday 8/7/14, Interns from all over the Smithsonian came together to tour the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center’s (APAC) Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). The tour was led by Masum Momaya who is a Museum Curator at the APAC. Beyond Bollywood explores the lives of Indian Americans, including cultural, religious, political and artistic aspects. The exhibit also explores how their culture has stayed the same and changed through time. Masum Momaya spoke about the exhibit that was seven years in the making and the difficulties of finding a collection to represent Indian Americans. She also explained the complicated thought processes curators must go through to make a successful exhibit and traveling exhibit.

Highlights included: Michelle Obama’s dress designed by Naeem Khan, a Spelling Bee stage, music by Indian Americans and much more.

To learn more about the exhibit click here. The exhibit will be available at NMNH until August 16, 2015