Spring Break
Flavors, colors and dance highlight India Nite
TYRONE RIVERS, For The Red & Black
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Variety
With assorted flavors, glinting sarees, and standard song, drama and dance, the Indian Student Association displayed an enduring Indian heritage Saturday when it hosted "Tarang, India Nite 2009."
"Tarang is to spread knowledge about Indian culture and tradition to both non Indian and Indian people alike," said Anuj Sinha, faculty adviser of ISA. "This year's audience [of roughly 600] has been the most diverse we've had."
Rangoli, a decorative chalk dust made of lentils, set the tone for the crowd even before entering the building, as the art was placed in shapes comparable to henna designs outside the auditorium.
"[It's typically] used at southern Indian celebration events, like weddings," said Sana Hashmi, executive member and public relations organizer of ISA.
Upon walking in, the creative designs continued, with colorful carnations, dogwood, pines and flower petals organized together on the floor to shape a larger flower. Eager people stood nearby awaiting the night's celebrations.
"Tarang," a word meaning waves and vibrations, explored issues of hate and peace in the world with its opening performance "Ishwar Allah." The song questions God about why people tend to abhor others who are different than them.
"The song is a wish to see a world without violence, hatred and cries of impoverished children, a world where the hearts of people are filled with deep compassion towards others," said Vijay Veeraghattam, President of ISA.
Harini Medikonduru, one-fourth of the group who sang the song, commented on what 'Ishwar Allah' personally meant to her by touching on the many who live in terror.
"There's so much love in the world. [Yet] not enough of it to replace the hatred. [The song is] meant to unite others for world peace."
Preparation for India Nite began one month in advance, in order to sell tickets. The actual performances were practiced three weeks prior, with undergraduates, graduates and faculty members making up the performers.
"[Overall, the show] surpassed our expectations," said Veeraghattam. Kelly Lau, a fourth year student from Hong Kong, was impressed.
"It made me, now, want to learn Indian dances," she said.
"Tarang is to spread knowledge about Indian culture and tradition to both non Indian and Indian people alike," said Anuj Sinha, faculty adviser of ISA. "This year's audience [of roughly 600] has been the most diverse we've had."
Rangoli, a decorative chalk dust made of lentils, set the tone for the crowd even before entering the building, as the art was placed in shapes comparable to henna designs outside the auditorium.
"[It's typically] used at southern Indian celebration events, like weddings," said Sana Hashmi, executive member and public relations organizer of ISA.
Upon walking in, the creative designs continued, with colorful carnations, dogwood, pines and flower petals organized together on the floor to shape a larger flower. Eager people stood nearby awaiting the night's celebrations.
"Tarang," a word meaning waves and vibrations, explored issues of hate and peace in the world with its opening performance "Ishwar Allah." The song questions God about why people tend to abhor others who are different than them.
"The song is a wish to see a world without violence, hatred and cries of impoverished children, a world where the hearts of people are filled with deep compassion towards others," said Vijay Veeraghattam, President of ISA.
Harini Medikonduru, one-fourth of the group who sang the song, commented on what 'Ishwar Allah' personally meant to her by touching on the many who live in terror.
"There's so much love in the world. [Yet] not enough of it to replace the hatred. [The song is] meant to unite others for world peace."
Preparation for India Nite began one month in advance, in order to sell tickets. The actual performances were practiced three weeks prior, with undergraduates, graduates and faculty members making up the performers.
"[Overall, the show] surpassed our expectations," said Veeraghattam. Kelly Lau, a fourth year student from Hong Kong, was impressed.
"It made me, now, want to learn Indian dances," she said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Daniel Turnbull
posted 4/14/09 @ 1:08 AM EST
It is always cool to branch out away from your comfort zone.Especially if something rewarding like knowledge is on the other side.
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