Highlighted artifacts include a dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama designed by Indian-American Naeem Khan, the 1985 National Spelling Bee trophy awarded to the first Indian-American winner Balu Natarajan, and Mohini Bhardwaj's 2004 Olympic Silver Medal for gymnastics.

Along with the exhibition, the museum has also planned for public programmes including performances featuring Indian- American art, comedy, cuisine, dance, film, television, literature and music.

The Center will also offer online education curriculum and an opportunity for individuals to share their family stories through a digital portal.

One in every 100 Americans has a family connection to India, the Smithsonian Institute said in a release, adding that Indian immigrants helped build the nation's railroads, worked in lumber mills, toiled on farms and established prosperous trading routes that are still in use today.

Through a vibrant collection of photographs, artifacts, art and interactive learning stations, visitors will experience the Indian-American story and explore the many dynamic roles the people from the community have played in shaping America, it said.

"Beyond Bollywood" is the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center's largest exhibition and will be on display on the second floor of the National Museum of Natural History for at least a year.

It will then travel around the country to libraries, museums, universities and community centres for five years, as part of the Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service beginning May 2015.
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