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Desi Jam entertains SCSU
By Tsewang Lama
On Friday, more than 50 Southeast Asia students were entertained by Desi Jam in the Atwood Quarry. The free event was organized by the Indian Heritage Club.
'Desi' is an Indian slang word for people from Southeast Asia. The dances included Punjabi 'Bhangra', Hip-hop and 'Desi' Pop. Desi Dance is a blend of Indian with western music and songs. The Hindi songs played were mostly from 'Bollywood,' which is Indian equivalent to American Hollywood, making commercial Indian Cinemas.
Located in the Southeast Asia, India is a land of cultural diversity and home to the second most populous nation in the world. Vijay Kumar, a junior majoring in BCIS, who hails from Karachi, Pakistan, is the president of the Indian Heritage Club, which has 40 graduate and undergraduate students from India at SCSU.
"We are organizing this event to welcome the new students from India this semester, and also as a part of cultural sharing programs for the community," Kumar said.
Kumar added that this event was also a part to preview and advertise their "Indian Night" which will be holding on Nov. 2nd.
The Indian Bollywood songs played were mostly colloquial types that required the dancers to do busy movements. The men and women danced in circles.
Later, males and females were singled out to dance in pairs. When the Bhangra music of Punjab played, their hands and shoulder movements were frequently pointing upwards.
Upcoming programs of the Indian Heritage Club include participating in the Passport to the World event where they will set up booths for India.
They are also looking forward to show the Indian movie "Laagan" which was one of the Oscar award nominees for best foreign film.
"Laagan" is one such patriotic movie which shows the British rule India in 1800's. Set up in the remote village area of India, the movie shows how the villagers are compelled to learn the cricket game to get away with mammoth tax imposed by the British East India Company.
The students seemed to enjoy the exotic music as they danced the night away.
Christi Lindstrom, a junior and English major, who was among few of the non Asian attendees had to comment.
"I learned how to dance Indian cultural songs. Lindstrom added that it was educational too meeting with people from different cultural background."
Khando Lama, a freshman from Nepal, was one of the attendees who understood Hindi songs.
"It was like we are all in Bollywood dancing to the tune of actress Rani Mukherjee," Lama said.
Kumar encourages more local students and community to participate and be involved in events like these to have fun and get to know each other better. Music is the one of thing that brings people together.
The night proved to be a jam by echoing the excitements of Southeast Asian students adding to the diversity of SCSU.
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