Spring Break
Indian students put on colorful show
Nicole English
Issue date: 11/3/03 Section: Culture
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The show opened with a classical Indian dance, performed in traditional costume, by Balaji Krithikaivasan, a computer science Ph.D. student. He has been studying this form of dance for the last year with Hema Sharma, a professional Indian dancer who resides in the Kansas City area. Krithikaivasan is very grateful to his teacher for all that he has been able to learn from her.
The dance piece was a prayer dance performed as an invocation to Lord Ganesh and was followed by a display of rhythmic movements in Bharatnatyam style, the most popular of five classical dance forms.
"It is a tradition to start new things with a prayer…so this selection seemed like a good choice for opening the show," said Krithikaivasan.
The show also presented original compositions created by students specifically for this show, including a consciousness-raising short play, a parody of Bollywood films, impromptu performances, contemporary Indian songs and music, hip-hop/Indian fusion dancing, an Indian fashion show, and dance medley of traditional dances from various parts of India, performed by Kathani and Kavita of INDUS.
All students involved with the Surabhi show wanted the event to be a great success and create an opportunity for those not familiar with the culture to have a taste of India.
"Surabhi gives Americans an interesting insight into Indian culture and lifestyle," said Ramaswamy. "My American friends liked the show very much. They learned something about my culture. In that respect, I feel it was a big success."
This American perspective was reflected in the comments of Elam O'Renick, Royall Hall computer lab manager, whose student assistants encouraged him to attend the show.
"This was the first time I have ever gone to the Surabhi show," said O'Renick. "I was very impressed with how good all the acts were. We have so many talented students here at UMKC. I was also impressed with the time and trouble that the students took to put this event on."
After the show, the crowd moved to the Royall Hall auditorium for a traditional Indian meal, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The delicious food for the dinner was catered by Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, located at 75th and Wornall Rd.
"The best part of the event is the food," said Ramaswamy. "We really look forward to it. We don't always get a chance to eat good Indian food."
The mood of the evening was captured in the closing words of the Surabhi show.
"The ISA will ensure that India is always remembered."
For more information about the ISA, visit www.umkc.edu/studo/ISA/.
nenglish@unews.com
The dance piece was a prayer dance performed as an invocation to Lord Ganesh and was followed by a display of rhythmic movements in Bharatnatyam style, the most popular of five classical dance forms.
"It is a tradition to start new things with a prayer…so this selection seemed like a good choice for opening the show," said Krithikaivasan.
The show also presented original compositions created by students specifically for this show, including a consciousness-raising short play, a parody of Bollywood films, impromptu performances, contemporary Indian songs and music, hip-hop/Indian fusion dancing, an Indian fashion show, and dance medley of traditional dances from various parts of India, performed by Kathani and Kavita of INDUS.
All students involved with the Surabhi show wanted the event to be a great success and create an opportunity for those not familiar with the culture to have a taste of India.
"Surabhi gives Americans an interesting insight into Indian culture and lifestyle," said Ramaswamy. "My American friends liked the show very much. They learned something about my culture. In that respect, I feel it was a big success."
This American perspective was reflected in the comments of Elam O'Renick, Royall Hall computer lab manager, whose student assistants encouraged him to attend the show.
"This was the first time I have ever gone to the Surabhi show," said O'Renick. "I was very impressed with how good all the acts were. We have so many talented students here at UMKC. I was also impressed with the time and trouble that the students took to put this event on."
After the show, the crowd moved to the Royall Hall auditorium for a traditional Indian meal, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The delicious food for the dinner was catered by Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant, located at 75th and Wornall Rd.
"The best part of the event is the food," said Ramaswamy. "We really look forward to it. We don't always get a chance to eat good Indian food."
The mood of the evening was captured in the closing words of the Surabhi show.
"The ISA will ensure that India is always remembered."
For more information about the ISA, visit www.umkc.edu/studo/ISA/.
nenglish@unews.com
