6 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know About India’s Silk and Diamond Capital
When most people think of major global hubs, cities like New York, London, or Tokyo immediately come to mind. But tucked along the banks of the Tapi River in Gujarat, India, lies Surat, a bustling, vibrant metropolis with a history as rich as its famous textiles.
Known around the globe as both the “Silk City” and the “Diamond Capital of the World,” Surat is a treasure trove of culture, history, flavors, and art.
In our upcoming Fall 2026 Session, we are taking an immersive deep dive into Surat’s extraordinary heritage! Whether you are a curious learner or looking to explore cultural art and movement, here are six fascinating facts about the elements that make Surat so unforgettable.
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1. The People: 9 out of 10 Diamonds on Earth Pass Through Surat
Surat’s master diamond cutters and polishers are world-renowned. In fact, roughly 90% of the world’s rough diamonds are cut and polished right in this city!
Alongside its bustling industrial artisan communities, the region is also home to rich indigenous cultures like the Gamit tribe, who preserve ancient traditions, language, and eco-friendly lifestyles in harmony with nature.
2. Folk Art: Zari Work Uses Real Gold and Silver Threads
Surat is world-famous for its traditional Zari embroidery. Historically, this royal art form involved flattening actual gold and silver wire into ultra-thin threads to weave into fine silk sarees.
Dating back to the Mughal era, Surat’s Zari craft is so distinct that it holds a protected Geographical Indication (GI) status.
3. Cuisine: “Undhiyu” Is Cooked Upside-Down Underground
Surti food culture is legendary across India (there’s even an old proverb: “Eat in Surat, die in Varanasi”).
One of its defining dishes, Undhiyu, gets its name from the Gujarati word undhu, meaning “upside down.”
Traditionally, a blend of winter vegetables, herbs, and spices is packed into earthenware pots, sealed with mud, and buried upside down under hot coals to slow-roast to perfection.
4. Architecture: Surat Castle Was Built to Stop Pirates
Standing along the Tapi River, Surat Castle (also known as Old Fort) was constructed in the 16th century by King Sultan Mahmud III.
Its primary purpose? To defend the wealthy port city against repeated pirate attacks and Portuguese invasions.
The walls were built with massive iron strips and melted lead to ensure no cannonball could easily breach them!
5. Festival: Navratri in Gujarat Is the World’s Longest Dance Festival
Surat comes alive during Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to honoring the divine feminine energy.
Celebrated with immense joy across Gujarat, it is recognized as one of the longest continuous dance festivals in the world, bringing entire communities together under starry skies for music, color, and celebration.
6. Dance: Some say, Dandiya Sticks Originally Represented Swords
The rhythmic click of wooden sticks during Dandiya Raas is one of the most energetic sounds of Indian folk dance.
While it is now a joyful community dance, according to some people, Dandiya originally originated as a symbolic re-enactment of a battle between the Goddess Durga and the demon king Mahishasura, with the polished wooden sticks (dandiyas) representing swords.
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11 things you didn’t know about these WI cities!
Recently, I had the privilege of touring through 11 incredible towns across Southeastern Wisconsin to host interactive library programs.
Going in, I knew I’d be sharing stories, activities, and workshops. What I didn’t fully realize was how much they would share with me. Every library visit proved that while each town shares a region, every community has a completely distinct spirit!
Click on the post to learn a fun fact about these 11 vibrant communities!
Cities Visited:
Whitewater, Eagle, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Hartland, Sussex, Delafield, New Berlin, Mukwonago, Pewaukee, and Oconomowoc
Distance traveled: 700 miles
Our Student Group @ Taste of Chicago 2026
Thank you, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, for the opportunity to perform at Taste of Chicago!
What an incredible experience dancing with our Lincoln Park student group to a packed crowd. At some point, we had people gather even outside the tent to enjoy the joyful music and moves!
Join us this Fall for another session for another round of classes with nothing but cultural joy and learning!
BollyGroove Adults Class & Shows
Join us for your weekly dose of joy and energy!
Whether you’re looking for a high-energy workout, a way to reconnect with your culture, or simply a chance to unleash your inner Bollywood star, this is the class for you.
Join us for a session that combines the cardio of a workout with the magic of a Bollywood production. Our Spring 2026 Adult Session is designed to get you moving, learning, and performing.
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Looking for kids’ classes?
A small steel circle, a very wide grin
This week, a little half-Sikh boy showed up to class with the widest grin possible. Why? He had just gotten his Kada bracelet, one of the symbolic items that Sikhs wear.
That class is currently learning about the Sikh community, the farmers of Punjab, and the Vaiskahi festival, so all the students instantly knew what this boy had on his wrist. Instead of being seen as “odd” or “weird”, the bracelet instantly became the coolest thing to happen in class.
This is what learning about culture does to the kids – to the ones that belong to it, it creates a sense of EXCITEMENT and PRIDE, and to the ones who don’t belong, it creates a sense of understanding and appreciation.
This is the power of teaching culture using an integrated arts method! Makes up for the millions of hours I put into creating my curriculum!
