The University Students of the Indian Subcontinent organization is holding “Utsav,” its annual traditional dinner and show Sunday, featuring music, dancers and slide shows that will evoke the cultural richness of India through all of the senses.
“It brings culture to a lot of people, and for the Indians who live around here it brings them back to their roots and reminds them of the things that make up their culture,” said Renukah Hunter, a Lane Community College student who will perform at the show.
Beginning at 5 p.m. in the Erb Memorial Union Skylight Lounge, students will taste and smell the famous spices of India with a traditional a meal of Navratna (vegetarian) and Chicken Korma (in a rich white gravy), Dal Makhani (a lentil delicacy), Naan (bread), followed by a dessert of Gulab Jamun (fried dough flavored with rosewater).
While enjoying their meals, diners can admire the untold beauties of India, such as castles, landscape and cultural traditions, said Co-director Jeeth Baburaj.
“We’re hoping to show some of the great things of India,” Baburaj said, who added that people often identify India with the photos they see of starving children.
Following the dinner, guests will move down to the EMU Ballroom at 7 p.m., where they will be greeted by musical performances on the piano and a traditional Indian instrument, the tabla, which is a type of drum played on the floor, said Co-director Bhavaya Sachdeva.
Two students will perform the classical Indian dance called Bharatanatyam, which involves intricate hand-eye coordination and is not allowed to be performed as a solo act until five years of training have been completed, Baburaj said.
“A lot of the dances express religious aspects and stories of gods and goddesses of India,” said Hunter, who has been taking lessons since she was five years old.
Originating in Southern India, the dance was only allowed to be performed in temples before it was banned for a period after the British took control of the country, Hunter said.
Hunter attended high school in India after becoming interested in Sikhism, a religion practiced in parts of India. On Sunday, she will perform a dance dedicated to the god Ganesha, who has the head of an elephant and is known for destroying obstacles.
“In my dance you will see a lot of hand movements showing a trunk,” she said. “It symbolizes the different parts of land (Ganesha) is from and how he destroys negative things in his path.”
Other entertainment for Sunday’s event includes a skit, written and performed by University students and staff, about an Indian girl who goes to her home country to get married.
The event will also include a fashion show featuring traditional clothing from around India worn by 40 models. University students and children will strut down the runway to Bollywood and Indian pop music, Sachdeva said.
“It’s going to be a pretty big event. Better than all the other years,” Baburaj said. “There’s a lot of really good performances.”
The group hopes to raise around $2,500 from the 500 tickets on sale at the student ticket office, priced at $5 for students and $7 for non-students.
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