When Persis Naumann, Vice President of the Fulbright India Interest Group and board member of the Greater Pittsburgh Fulbright Association Chapter, proposed a jointly hosted Fulbright cultural mixer to mark the Tamil harvest festival of Pongal, she knew it would offer a unique opening for intercultural learning and celebration. “Pongal, at its heart, is a festival of gratitude—gratitude for the harvest, for community, and for the simple yet profound joy of togetherness,” said Naumann, noting that events like Pongal Sangamam (Pongal “Gathering” in English), hosted under the auspices of the Fulbright mission, create meaningful opportunities to recognize the community’s rich cultural diversity while building global perspectives.
Fulbright Cultural Mixer-Pongal Sangamam 2026 achieved all that and more, welcoming roughly 150 guests, including students, Fulbright scholars and alumni, university faculty and staff, and local elected officials to engage in the rich traditions of Pongal and other harvest festivals from around the world. The program included cultural presentations, music and dance performances, and live interactive art, all united by the theme of giving thanks for our communities. The event was hosted in the Africa Room at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, under the leadership of Dean Kristine Blair of Duquesne’s McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts. Additional support came from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Kelir Global, and Fulbright alumni.
A special highlight was the presentation from Professor Zoe Sherinian (University of Oklahoma), an ethnomusicologist, filmmaker, and Fulbright Distinguished Scholar. Professor Sherinian discussed her research on Dalit drumming and shared clips from her latest film, Sakthi Vibrations, which she showed in full in an earlier event at the University of Pittsburgh. She followed her lecture with a drumming performance, enlisting the help of several Fulbright grantees.
The audience also enjoyed a vocal performance of the state song of Tamil Nadu, a Chinese violin performance, and traditional dances from several regions of India, as well as from Nepal. The inclusion of art forms from multiple cultures deeply enriched the event. As Greater Pittsburgh Chapter board member Kathy White noted, “the presentations and musical performances were educational and enjoyable, giving the audience a fascinating learning experience about Tamil as well as many other cultures.” Fulbright India Interest Group Advocacy Chair Sharolyn Pollard-Durodola lauded the multifaceted celebration as “a liberatory experience that blessed and healed us through the drum beats, dance rhythms, and fellowship of new friends.”
As important as the cultural aspects of the program were the remarks from local elected officials. Pennsylvania State Representative Arvind Venkat and Ernest Rajakone, Deputy Chief of Staff, Intergovernmental Affairs, for Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, each addressed their experiences of negotiating their Tamil identities and culture as they grew up and built their lives in the U.S. Their participation in the celebration lent important support to the Fulbright mission of fostering mutual understanding through dialogue and engagement.
And of course, no Pongal Sangamam would be complete without a hearty meal, which was provided by a much-loved local Indian eatery. The spread featured many of the traditional Pongal Virundhu (feast), beginning with appetizers such as medhu vadai and sundal. The main course included dishes like ven pongal, chettinadu chicken kuzhambu, sambar, and rasam. The meal concluded with desserts such as sakkarai pongal and til gud laddu, all of which communities enjoy together to celebrate the Pongal festival.
Reflecting on the event, Mrinalini Watson, President of the Fulbright India Interest Group, said, “By bringing together people from all different backgrounds, the Pongal Sangamam transformed a traditional harvest festival into a live exercise in Fulbright cultural diplomacy. It was a powerful reminder that immigrant contributions are not just additions to the American fabric–they are the threads themselves. This celebration of roots and growth perfectly captures the spirit of America250, honoring our past while cultivating a shared future.”