The Golden Journey of Friends of India in Little Rock

During our visits to India, most Arkansans are invariably asked, "Where do you live in the United States?" When we say Arkansas, most of our relatives and friends look puzzled. Where? Where? What? 

Well, it is hard to explain where Arkansas is, given that the image of America relates to things on the East or the West Coast for most of us. However, we who live in Little Rock do our best to explain that Arkansas is close to Texas or close to Dallas. Further, when we disclose that Little Rock has many Indian families and a vibrant Indian organization called Friends of India, the heartbeat of the Indian community here, they just can't believe it. When we say that our Indian community organization just celebrated its Golden Jubilee, our audience just falls off the chair. 

Completing a half-century for a non-profit cultural organization like our own Friends of India Central Arkansas is indeed a considerable achievement. It is a phenomenal milestone, especially for a diasporic community, and more importantly, considering all the participation is voluntary. The effort to arrange and participate in get-togethers is a personal choice by all the families involved in this venture. Most men's, women's, and children's hours are spent hosting various events during the year, cooking food, setting up the stage, doing performances, and all the associated effort is worth it. Friends of India, in many ways, fulfill our collective desire to recreate a miniature homeland or, somewhat, a semblance of it, especially when we are away from our home country, India. So, let's take this opportunity to review and reflect on how FOI evolved over the years from a small motley group to a vibrant community of like-minded Indian Americans who collectively celebrate and share Indian culture and ethos in a distant land. 

A handful of families from India who moved to Little Rock in the 1970s and made it their new home, including Dr. Prem Wagh, Jyothi McMinn, Dr. Simon Abraham, Dr. Akthar Yusuf, Dr. T. A. Raju, and Dr. Malay Muzumdar, got together to create a club. This informal club of a fluctuating transient group of Indians crystallized into the Friends of India organization as a place to hang out, network, celebrate, and share their culture. The get-togethers were literally in the living room and backyard of one of our families' houses, recalls Dr Hemendra Shah, one of the early members of the FoI. To be precise, FoI took birth in 1975 and has been in existence ever since, completing its 50 years this year in 2025. Its golden anniversary was celebrated with much pomp and glory, with a range of performances, from skits to dance, singing, and even yoga. 

Dr. Haridas Thakordas Muzumdar, a Gandhian Scholar, was elected as the first President of FoI. He continued as the president until 1984. Muzumdar came to the United States in 1920 for studies. He received his M.A. degree in 1926 from Northwestern University and his Ph.D. in Sociology in 1929 from the University of Wisconsin. To say the least, Dr Muzumdar was an engaging personality, recalls Dr. Dilip Vyas who moved to Arkansas from Oregon in 1979. Vyas and Shah recall that Muzumdar became a US citizen in 1947 and unsuccessfully ran in 1956 for the US House of Representatives from the second district of Iowa. He taught at various colleges and universities and retired after serving as Chairman of the Department of Sociology and Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, for a decade. He passed away in 1995.

First-generation members of FoI who knew Muzumdar recalled that he was a freedom fighter. In New York, he mobilized the Indian nationals, provided testimonies in the U.S. Congress, and sought support from the American people and media for issues and concerns of the Indian community, primarily for India's independence and citizenship rights for Indian nationals. For many years, Muzumdar provided dedicated and committed service for the cause of India and Indians, thus playing the role of an Indian community emancipator in the United States. Dr. Vyas recalls several occasions when Muzumdar, who loved to eat Gujarati food, came to his house in El Dorado to have conversations and eat food. Muzumdar also started the Gandhi Studies Institute in Little Rock, an informal organization that promotes Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy and ethics, said former president Bhaskara Udupa.   

During the '70s and much of the '80s, the Indian community in Little Rock consisted of about 20 to 25 families, most of whom were working at the Med Center and the university. FoI had members from several other neighboring countries, too. Slowly, the organization grew more prominent, with members from the Indian community making Little Rock their home, and hence, it took the character of an Indian organization. At that time, we used to meet a couple of times to celebrate Diwali in the fall and Holi in the Spring, explained Joe Chacko, who moved to Little Rock in 1979 when his wife Dina got a job as a nurse at UAMS. As the Indian community grew, the frequency of the get-togethers increased.

Dr. Shah remembers that in 1988 JC Penny celebrated the India Expedition, and we cooked Indian food and displayed our culture, which was reported in the local newspapers. Bhaskara Udupa, president in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1993, recalled that in 1990 the Little Rock Zoo got a female elephant from India. She was named Ellen, and the zoo authorities approached the FoI leadership to seek help with this new addition and celebrate the elephant’s 48th birthday. The president of FoI at that time, Bhuvaneswaran, organized a fundraiser for the zoo that year. "We cooked food, and our members performed Indian dances and music at the zoo. This event was the talk of the town, and many bought tickets to attend this show. Others donated money, and we raised nearly 10,000 dollars for the zoo. It was a fun event which brought the Indian community together," recalls Chako. 

During this time, several families from Gujarat moved to Little Rock and started businesses in the hospitality industry. Initially, they were all members of FoI but decided to form a separate organization called Gujarati Samaj of Arkansas. However, Friends of India was still the pan-Indian organization, the umbrella cultural place for Indians in Little Rock. 

In 1999, FoI funds were negative, and the membership was pretty low, so the committee decided to conduct fundraising and increase the membership. Hitesh Patel, the treasurer of FoI in 1999, recalls that the leadership decided to organize a screening of the movie Kaho Na Pyaar Hai to fundraise and attract new members. “We had quite a dynamic committee consisting of Deepak Bafna, Ravi Tyagrajan, and President Thomas Mathew. “I remember renting a movie theatre and getting the movie reels from Memphis to screen it. The theatre was sold out, and the committee members had to sit on the stairs to watch the movie. We raised a lot of money, which was a success,” Patel recalled. Yet another fundraising involved acquiring a goat and slaughtering it to have a barbecue. Again, Patel and Nishad Karekar, committee members, remember that the live goat, which a well-wisher from Bentonville donated, was brought into the back seat of the new Lexus of Tygarayan. “I, being a vegetarian, was not involved much in it, but I remember clearly that the event was quite successful, and people enjoyed the barbecue.” 

Another major initiative of the 2000s was the initiation of the celebration of the Indian Independence every year on Aug 15. “We were trying desperately to be creative and start new initiatives. We brainstormed and came up with this idea to approach the state capital office and ask permission to celebrate our Independence Day by unfurling the Indian flag at the state capital,” recalls Patel. So, the committee wrote a letter seeking permission, which was granted. Thus began a unique tradition –to hoist the Indian flag on 15th August at the capitol alongside the American and Arkansas state flags. Now, it has become a yearly activity that is practiced without a break. From time to time, state officials, including governors Mike Beebe, Asa Hutchinson, and Little Rock mayor Mark Stodola, have been chief guests at different times, and they unfurled the Indian flag on August 15. It is one of the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of the second and third generations of FoI leadership.

Most FoI celebrations used to be held at the Winston K. Shorey building inside UAMS or at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Reservoir Road. The tradition of having separate special kids events was taken in the late 2000s to give undivided attention and encourage kids, said former president of FoI Manjunath Mulllahalli. During the latter part of 2016, the members of Friends of India took another unique initiative. The organization started celebrating the India Fest, a daylong event that featured delicacies and cultural dances from different states of India. It was the talk of the town and brought the community together. However, the practice was halted during COVID-19. Additionally, members successfully organized various fundraisers like the Save Indian Farmers donations to help Pulwama massacre victims, flood victims, and more. 

Over the last 50-plus years, the Indian community in central Arkansas has increased to more than 1,000 families, and its culture and values have shifted over time. There has been the addition of four temples of worship, one Gurudwara, a couple of mosques, a few Indian grocery stores, and lots of Indian restaurants and businesses, not to mention the creation of several regional state-led Indian organizations—what remains at the core is the community's desire to come together still and celebrate Indian culture under the umbrella of Friends of India. 

Researched, compiled, and written 

by 

Avinash Thombre

Aarambh 2025

Following Aarambh, the spirit of festivity continued with the colorful celebration of Holi at Radha Madhav Temple. This joyous occasion was filled with laughter, vibrant colors, and a sense of togetherness as everyone gathered to celebrate the festival of colors.

By Ramya Ram

Food is more than just nourishment—it’s a reflection of love, culture, and creativity. I come from a small town near Mysore, where my family has a long history of agriculture. Growing up in such an environment, everything was fresh—from fruits, to buttermilk and fresh butter. We were always surrounded by nature, and this connection to the earth shaped my appreciation for good, wholesome food.

My culinary journey began in the kitchens of my grandmother and mother, two exceptional chefs from my hometown in Karnataka. As a child, I spent hours watching them prepare meals for large gatherings. Although I learned much just by observing, I never had the chance to cook much hands-on. I was fascinated by the art of cooking, but always felt like I had only scratched the surface of their immense culinary expertise.

One of my most cherished memories is helping my grandmother prepare Bisi Bele Bhath, a traditional South Indian rice and lentil dish known for its perfect balance of spices. I would watch her effortlessly mix the ingredients together, wishing I could recreate that dish with the same grace and flavor. What made their food special was that all spices were ground from scratch—everything from chicken curry masala to Puliyogare powder, Vangi Bath powder, and Sambar & Rasam powders. Over the years, I’ve learned to recreate these authentic homemade blends myself. I am a strong believer that this personal touch truly brings out the authentic flavors in our food. 

Another special dish I learned from my mom was Obbattu (also known as Holige), a sweet flatbread made during festivals and celebrations. Over the years, I experimented with different variations of Obbattu, both sweet and savory, but I always return to the classic version with jaggery and coconut—it’s simply irresistible. And, of course, Kajjaya, the delicious dessert we prepare for Deepavali, holds a special place in my heart as my all-time favorite treat!

My mom also passed down some of her best non-vegetarian recipes, particularly her famous chicken and mutton biryanis. These dishes are always a hit at family gatherings, and I consider it an honor to carry on that tradition. The biryani, in particular, is always a crowd-pleaser—each bite packed with rich, aromatic flavors that reflect the love and care she put into every dish.

I owe a great deal to my husband, Raghu, who believed in me from the very beginning. When we got married, I didn’t know how to cook despite watching my family in the kitchen for years. But after marriage, I started experimenting with recipes. Raghu’s unwavering support and patience were instrumental in my growth as a cook—encouraging me through failures and celebrating every success. He is also my biggest critic and cheerleader, always pushing me to improve. Some of Raghu’s favorite dishes include dosa with chicken curry and idli with mutton curry, both of which I’ve perfected over the years. These dishes have become staples in our home, and they always bring a smile to his face.

Our son, Adhi, a true foodie, loves to experiment with me in the kitchen. One of the most memorable moments during the pandemic was when my son said, “Mom, you’re the best cook!” It’s a moment I’ll always cherish, reminding me how food can connect and bring joy to a family. He especially loves my puri with chicken chops, butter chicken with ghee rice, paneer sliders, chicken sliders, and a variety of chaat—his favorite being pani puri, which I make for him on weekends.

We routinely host friends and family at small and medium size gatherings at home and enjoy crafting new recipes as well as showcasing the art of food via food photography. During some of these small gatherings, I would bake cakes and treats for family and friends, with pineapple pastry and tutti frutti cake being instant crowd favorites. The joy they brought to my loved ones inspired me to keep experimenting. Each compliment fueled my desire to take the next step: "Why don’t you start something with this?" That question ignited my passion for catering.

I am incredibly grateful for my Little Rock friends and family, especially my girlfriends—who are always sharing, supporting, and fueling my creativity. They’ve been my backbone, constantly encouraging me to take the next step. Whenever we host, even the simplest gathering, there’s always excitement about what new dish I’ll be serving—it’s a joy to keep that anticipation alive!

Last year, I launched my Instagram page, Ram’s Little Cravings, to share my culinary creations and food photography. If you’re looking for catering services for your gatherings or corporate events, feel free to reach out or check out my page. I’d love to make your next event unforgettable with food that tells a story and delights the senses. I specialize in a wide range of cuisines, from traditional South Indian dishes to fusion creations like charcuterie boards and grazing tables, beautifully arranged to please both the eyes and the palate.

Over the years, I have also had the privilege of helping friends and family with food portioning for gatherings and events, and I have been an active member of the Kannada Sangha community for 12 years, planning and executing menus for their events.

At India Fest, I volunteered in the food department for three years, where I played a key role in overseeing food stalls for an event that hosted over 5,000 people. As the main person responsible for planning the menu, I worked closely with the team to ensure it reflected both regional Indian dishes and options for American guests. The experience was rewarding and taught me everything from managing logistics to coordinating with vendors on a larger scale.

My journey has been one of growth, learning, and an unshakable passion for food. I’m excited to continue creating, transforming simple ingredients into memorable experiences that bring people together. Food is not just about nourishment; it’s a celebration of culture, connection, and creativity. Let’s make every bite count!