Overview
 Indians started arriving in the United States (including Southwestern Pennsylvania) in the mid 1960s as university students, post-docs, and healthcare professionals. After their studies and internships, many decided to settle down here. Now more than 2,500 families of Indian heritage live in the tri-state area. The geographic / linguistic subgroups within the Indian context - Bengalis, Gujaratis, Kannadigas, Maharashtrians, Malayalees, Pathans, Punjabis, Sindhis, Tamils, Telugus, and others - have their own social associations. Even with their strong sub-ethnic identities retained from ancient times, their "Indian-ness" helps them to come together socially, culturally, and also "culinarily."
 Their cultural scene is vibrant. Many high-caliber musicians and dancers routinely give recitals in mainstream auditoriums, universities, and temples. The Center for Performing Arts of India (www.univ-relations.pitt.edu/india3/), SPIC-MACAY, and S.V. Temple (www.svtemple.org), among others, are the main organizers of these programs. Classes are also held teaching dances and music of the Indian subcontinent. A popular Indian radio program (some of the best Hindi film songs, and occasionally classical music) airs Sundays 7-9 p.m. at WDUQ 90.5 FM. Harish Saluja is a filmmaker at New Ray Films (www.newray.com).
World Affairs Institute: India Center Stage
This is an annual student conference on a major international issue or region. The topic for the 2006 institute was India Center Stage. The daylong conference is held in cooperation with The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the Rotary International.
For more information about the recent World Affairs Institute, please download the files below. Or call the Council at 412-281-7970. 2006 WAI Foreign Policy Scenario
2006 WAI Background Paper Indian Heritage Research Foundation
621 Illini Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 724-733-2223
Radio: 'Music From India'
Sundays 7-9 p.m. WDUQ 90.5 FM, one of DUQ's longest running programs and the only Indian music program in the tri-state region; hosted by Dr. Vijay Bahl and Harish Saluja, both hosts bring a unique artistic perspective to the program.
http://www.wduq.org New Ray Films
A feature film company that makes movies with Indian themes. The last film was The Journey, starring Roshan Seth, Saeed Jaffrey, Carrie Preston, Antony Zaki, Betsy Zajko and Nora Bates. Directed and Produced by Harish Saluja. The next production is called Chasing Windmills. The story is set in the Himalayas.
New Ray Films
P.O. Box 1335
McMurray, PA 15317
Phone: 724-969-2565
http://www.newray.com
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Srishti Dances of India
Photo by Jeff Swensen
The rich traditions of the ancient classical dances of India are celebrated by acclaimed dance company, Srishti Dances of India. Srishti is renowned for its moving classical presentations which are based in the sculptural and liquid Eastern Indian Odissi style and angular and staccato Southern Indian Bharatanatyam style. Company repertoire is primarily traditional with some work that is contemporary – a departure from tradition.
The company plays regularly in Pittsburgh and tours its critically acclaimed works nationally as well as in India. Vested in propagating and preserving the ancient temple dance traditions, the company has far reaching education and outreach programs, giving the company a prominent presence in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region as an artistic and cultural resource.
For more information:
Sreyashi Dey President & Artistic Director Srishti Dances of India 414 South Craig Street, #280 Pittsburgh, PA 15213
www.srishtidances.org
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General Information
PittsburghIndian.com
A website that provides links to many other resources of South Asian life in Pittsburgh. http://www.PittsburghIndian.com The Pittsburgh Patrika is the English language quarterly that reaches over 90% of South Asian residents in the area.
http://www.patrika.50megs.com/
Contact: Venkat K. S. Venkataraman, Editor and Publisher, Murrysville, PA, 15668
Phone: 724 327 0953
E-mail: ThePatrika@aol.com Association for India's Development (AID), Inc.
AID is a voluntary non-profit organization committed to promoting sustainable, equitable and just development in India, by working with grassroots organizations and movements in India. AID supports and initiates efforts in various interconnected spheres such as education, livelihoods, natural resources, health, women's empowerment and social justice. AID raises awareness on developmental issues and supports many community development efforts in India. The Pittsburgh chapter of AID was started in 1995. We have about 30 active volunteers participating in various activities ranging from project coordination to planning fund-raisers. To find out more about AID activities including volunteering and donations, please go to http://pittsburgh.aidindia.org or call (412) 908-3385. North America (NetIP)
NetIP Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization and a chapter of The Network of Indian Professionals of North America (NetIP). The organization is dedicated to the overall achievement and advancement of South Asian professionals. NetIP primarily focus is to help South Asian professionals in the communities in which they live and work via:
* Political Awareness
* Cultural Awareness
* Community Service
* Professional Development
Over the years, the NetIP has become a leading international organization for professionals – one that has been recognized by political, civic, and community leaders around the country. It has become the unequivocal voice for an emerging group of South Asians that are excelling in every aspect of society. For more information visit the NetIP Pittsburgh Site http://netip-pittsburgh.org/
Bengali Association of Pittsburgh
A non-profit cultural organization of the Bengalis in and around Pittsburgh. The goal of the association is to preserve, practice, and prescribe the rich culture of Bengal among its members and others.
http://www.bengali-pitt.org/
Gujarati Samaj of Greater Pittsburgh
A non-profit organization that engages in activities, cultural programs, and regular meetings. http://www.gsogp.org/main.html
Maharashtra Mandal of Greater Pittsburgh
A non-profit organization that supports the Maharshtrian community in and around the greater Pittsburgh region.
http://www.mmpgh.org/ Network of Indian Professionals - NetIP
A non-profit organization dedicated to the professional and cultural development, community service, philanthropy, and overall advancement of South Asian-Americans and the communities in which we work and live. This organization is aimed at young adults 21 years and older.
http://www.netip-pgh.org
Pittsburgh Area Telugu Association - PATA
The Pittsburgh Area Telugu Association holds picnics, activities, and fund-raisers to support the Telugu community in the Pittsburgh region. You can subscribe to their newsletter on their website.
P.O. Box 400
Monroeville, PA 15146-0400
http://www.epata.org Sangama - Kannada Sangha of Pittsburgh
Supports all Kannadians throughout the Pittsburgh area. Annual picnics, events, and fund-raisers are held.
http://www.members.tripod.com/~sangama/
The Indus Entrepreneurs-Pittsburgh Chapter (TiEPgh)
An organization of industry professionals who share the common interests of promoting and fostering entrepreneurial efforts.
One North Shore Center, Suite 201,
12 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-322-3300, ext. 113
Fax: 724-935-9273
Executive Director:
Harish Saluja
http://www.tiepgh.org/
Tri State Sikh Cultural Society
Serves the sangat of the tri-state area (Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia).
4407 McKenzie Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 412-372-8890
http://www.pittsburghsikh.org/
Other Links: Indian Houses of Worship:
Muslim Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (MCCGP)
A non-political organization that serves the religious, cultural, and social needs of Muslims in the Pittsburgh and Tri-State area. Founded in 1986, MCCGP provides Sunday school for religious education for Muslim children, a mosque that is open for prayer five times daily, and social and recreational needs for couples and families. The MCCGP cooperates with other Muslim organizations of North America and overseas in common interests of solidarity and brotherhood and for mutual understanding with other communities. 233 Seaman Lane
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 412-373-0101
http://www.mccgp.org/
Asian Indian Christian Church of Pittsburgh
3503 Beechwood Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA Hindu Jain Temple
615 Illini Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 724-325-2073
Fax: 724-733-7475
http://www.hindujaintemple.org/index.html
Shri Rama Chandra Mission
A worldwide, non-profit organization that teaches the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga meditation, free of charge, to all interested seekers of spirituality.
Contact: Ramgopal Srinivasan
Phone: 412-767-4730
http://www.srcm.org/ Sikhs of Tri State Sikh Cultural Society of Pittsburgh
4407 Mckenzie Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412)-372-8890
(412)-374-9407
For directions, use the following link.
Sri Satya Sai Center
Friends Meeting House
4836 Ellsworth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-367-2297
Sri Venkateswara Temple (S.V. Temple)
Located in Penn Hills, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh. It is one of the earliest Hindu temples to be built in the United States.
1230 South McCully Drive
P.O. Box 17280
Penn Hills, PA 15235
Phone: 412-373-3380
Fax: 412-373-7650
http://www.svtemple.org/
The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh
The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh is the area's largest Mosque, providing services to Muslim and Non-Muslim communities in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and Northern West Virginia. Office hours are between 10 AM and 5 PM.
4100 Bigelow Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 682 5555
Fax: (412) 682 3111
Web site Resources
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