Mithila Center USA is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the New York City Mayor’s Mithila Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion on July 18, 2024. This momentous event was followed by the 5th annual Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage Exhibition, held at the United Nations Headquarters from July 8-17, 2024. The exhibition, focusing on SDG 13: Climate Action, was jointly organized by Mithila Center USA, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, and the Consulate General of Nepal in New York.

The Mithila Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion brought the vibrant community and cultural celebrations of the Mithila region to life. The event featured mesmerizing Mithila folk cultural performances, showcasing traditional dances, music, and storytelling that brought the vibrant traditions of the Mithila region to life. Additionally, an art exhibition was held, which highlighted the role of Mithila art in promoting community awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. This exhibition, held at the Mayor’s Mansion, underscored the powerful message of environmental stewardship and the critical need for climate action, as conveyed through the intricate and symbolic artworks of Mithila artists.

Flags of the USA, India, Nepal, and New York City prominently displayed in honor of the vibrant Mithila community in America, originally from the Nepal and India region. Many New York-based elected officials and their representatives, dozens of high-level officials from the New York City Mayor’s Office including the international affairs commissioner, government representatives of Nepal and India, along with hundreds of esteemed community leaders, lively witnessed this first-ever historical Mithila Heritage celebration at Gracie Mansion.

Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi underscored the importance of cultural diversity in her speech, highlighting her own heritage. “I’m the first person of Indian descent to hold the office of Deputy Mayor, and this is a mayor who’s made sure that every culture in New York City is celebrated,” she said. “We won’t be here forever, so we have to ensure that the next generation understands where we came from and the value of being together despite our differences.” Joshi also highlighted New York City’s 400th birthday, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating Mithila cultural heritage.

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first South Asian American Hindu woman elected to the New York State Office, spoke about Janakpurdham, the birthplace of Sita, and shared her journey of promoting Nepali heritage in the state. “I started to celebrate Nepali Heritage Day in New York State. And now, every single year, we celebrate Nepal Heritage Day, officially recognized by New York State. We made history again and again together; we made Diwali a school holiday in the city of New York,” she said, expressing her gratitude to the community. Assemblywoman Rajkumar also emphasized the importance of celebrating Mithila heritage in New York City and beyond, praising the Mithila Center USA for its initiatives and excellent work.

New York City Council Member Julie Won, representing District 26 and the first immigrant, woman, and Asian American to do so, praised the community’s efforts in making history, such as raising the Nepali flag at Bowling Green and co-naming a street in Jackson Heights. “You have really put Nepal on the map for this city, and you have made it part of their vocabulary,” she remarked. Council Member Won also highlighted the importance of celebrating Mithila heritage and commended Mithila Center USA for its significant contributions.

Amit Pratap Shah, Founder and President of Mithila Center USA, expressed his appreciation to Mayor Eric Adams and his administration for their support in recognizing Mithila’s rich cultural heritage and hosting this historical reception at Gracie Mansion. He highlighted Mithila Center USA’s dedication to celebrating, preserving, and promoting Mithila culture globally since its establishment in 2019. The center’s mission includes fostering harmony, advocating for cultural tolerance, and providing humanitarian assistance.

Among our significant milestones and activities, the inaugural Mithila Festival USA and the Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage Exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters in New York stand out. This flagship event, held annually, promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through Mithila art. This year’s exhibition, jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Nepal, Nepal Consulate General, and Mithila Center USA, was inaugurated by the President of the UN General Assembly and focused on SDG 13: Climate Action. The exhibition, which ran from July 8-17, 2024, showcased Mithila art by various artists from India and Nepal, emphasizing the urgent need for climate change awareness and action.

Our advocacy efforts with the Nepal government and UN authorities culminated in the publication of postal stamps recognizing the 17 United Nations Sustainable Goals through Mithila painting. In 2021, we organized the first-ever Vivah Panchami Festival in New York, a celebration of the divine wedding of Ram and Sita, which promotes family values, leadership, and community unity. This festival has become an annual tradition, significantly contributing to the cultural fabric of New York City.

Additionally, we started organizing the Kids Art Workshop, Exhibition, and Award program in 2022, engaging children in Mithila culture through hands-on artistic activities and preserving our heritage through next-generation engagement. Our publication initiatives include Mithila Folk Culture books written by prominent writers Dr. Ram Dayal Rakesh and Ram Bharosh Kapri Ji, promoting Mithila arts, culture, and traditions, and contributing to the preservation and dissemination of Mithila’s cultural wealth.

During the annual Mithila Festival USA 2023, the New York City Mayor Eric Adam proclaimed April 15 as Mithila Cultural and Festival Day, a significant milestone recognizing the Mithila Heritage and the contributions of the Mithila community to the city’s cultural diversity. Shah also discussed the Centre’s advocacy for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition of the Janaki Temple, a landmark of Mithila heritage in Janakpurdham, Nepal.

These programs and activities collectively reflect Mithila Center USA’s commitment to preserving Mithila heritage, engaging with the community, and supporting global causes.

Looking ahead, Mr. Shah announced the plan for establishment of the Museum of Mithila Heritage, New York (MoM New York), also known as Mithila Museum New York (MMNY). “This groundbreaking initiative represents our unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural legacy of Mithila,” he said. The museum will serve as a vibrant cultural hub, offering an immersive experience through exhibits, educational programs, workshops, and cultural events, thereby fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of Mithila’s heritage.

The Museum of Mithila Heritage initiative embodies a shared community responsibility and sustainability effort. It aims not only to promote and preserve Mithila heritage but also to enhance New York City’s cultural diversity. By providing a platform for artists, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts to collaborate and share knowledge, the museum will foster a deeper connection to roots and a stronger sense of community. It will enrich New York City’s cultural landscape, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and celebrate the artistic and cultural traditions of Mithila.

Nawal Kishor Yadav, Co-Founder of Mithila Center USA and lead of the Mithila Heritage Museum initiative, stated, “The Museum of Mithila Heritage will significantly contribute to strengthening the cultural diversity of New York City. This museum will enhance the city’s cultural landscape, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and celebrate the artistic and cultural traditions of Mithila. It will serve as a beacon of cultural pride, unity, and inclusivity, reflecting the values that New York City embodies.

During the program, notable individuals and organizations contributing to Mithila art and heritage were honored with citations signed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Among the honorees were the Madheshi Association in America (MAA), Association of Nepali Teraian in America (ANTA), Bihar-Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA), Ridgewood Nepalese Society (RNS), and founding members of Mithila Center USA Nawal Kishor Yadav and Asha K. Sah.

Mithila Center USA Founder and President, Amit Pratap Shah, congratulated all honorees. “The esteemed honorees’ unwavering commitment to serving the community and promoting cultural preservation embodies the values of Mithila Center USA’s founding principles,” Shah said. “Their exemplary efforts continue to inspire and positively impact the cultural landscape of our city and beyond.”

Mr. Shah also extended heartfelt thanks to all artists, performers, volunteers, participants, and especially renowned Nepali American food scientist Kopila Devkota, founder and owner of Simply Vegan Inc., for preparing the evening’s food, and Nishchal Banskota and his team from Nepal Tea Collective for serving beverages. Special thanks were also given to Gobind Dance Center and Ridgewood Nepalese Society for their beautiful performances.

On behalf of the Mayor of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City, the Mithila Center USA team, along with Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN Kaushal Kishor Roy and Acting Consul General of Nepal in New York Chakra Kumar Subedi, presented a token of Almighty Sita Ram’s divine blessings—a replica of the Janaki Temple—to the office of the Honorable Mayor of New York City. This gesture underscores the deep cultural connection between Janakpurdham, the ancient capital of the Mithila Kingdom in Nepal, and New York City. By bridging these two culturally significant cities, the presentation not only honors their shared heritage but also strengthens the bond between the Mithila community and New York City, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Additionally, it bolsters Mithila Center USA’s advocacy for a sister city agreement between Janakpur and New York City, reflecting the organization’s commitment to promoting cultural ties and collaboration.

Mithila Heritage-based artists from Nepal, India, and the USA are showcasing their artwork in this exhibition. These artists bring a diverse range of styles and perspectives, united by the rich tradition of Mithila art. The participating artists include S.C. Suman, Pratik Rayamajhi, Nupur Nishith, Shaily Jha, Shivangi Singh, Manisha Shah, and Namrata Singh.

In addition to these individual artists, the exhibition features work from the Janakpur Woman Development Center (JWDC) artists. This group includes Selo Yadav, Sudhira Karn, Komal Purbe, Nirmala Ram, Manjula Thakur, Rebti Mandal, and Amrita Dutta.