Indian culture takes center stage
By Dmitri Pikman
May 18, 2003 9:00 p.m.
Dance, song and theater performances showcased traditional
Indian culture with a distinct American flair at the Indian Student
Union’s third annual cultural show Saturday.
Titled “Astitva,” translated from hindi as
“existence,” the event tackled perceived images of
Indian culture and aimed to expose the reality behind the
perceptions.
The show consisted of dances taken from Bollywood films,
sitcom-like skits, as well as short films and songs.
The participants ““ brought together through a common
cultural heritage ““ explored the experience students of
Indian descent face growing up exposed to American culture while
trying to preserve their cultural identities.
“Indians living in the United States try to blend in both
cultures,” said Roshni Vyas, a fourth-year neuroscience
student who danced in the show.
“The blend of both cultures, identifies us as Indians
living in America,” he added.
Some of the show’s performances specifically highlighted
the mixture of both cultures.
For instance, during the dance titled, “Fusion,”
traditionally dressed performers danced to songs by Justin
Timberlake and P. Diddy.
Dipa Shah, one of the choreographers for “Raas”
““ a traditional dance using sticks ““ said the blend of
American and Indian cultures is an important part of daily life for
many first generation Indians living in the United States.
“This mix is representative of our identity,” Shah
said. “Growing up with traditional values, as well as
American society values, shapes our self awareness.”
The show also featured a more serious element ““ a
discussion underlining attempts to introduce a South Asian studies
minor at UCLA.
Lobbied by the student-formed South Asian studies task force,
the proposal for such a minor is currently awaiting approval from
the Academic Senate.
“In the last two years, we tried to get a South Asian
studies program at UCLA,” said Neetal Parekh, who graduated
last year but is still active in trying to get the new minor
approved.
Many participants in the show said this minor would be important
in bridging the gap between Indian and American cultures.
Task force members were present at the show to collect
signatures supporting the introduction of the minor.
On a further note, the show also addressed realities students of
Indian descent face today.
“Parents should realize that their children cannot retain
all of their traditional culture,” said Ruby Jain, a
third-year English student and the editor of
“Sandesha,” ISU’s quarterly newsmagazine.
However, she also added that the performances tried to show that
Indians living in the United States are still in touch with their
traditional roots.
The show was not all song and dance, however, and after a short
speech by ISU president Jimmy Savani, a third-year business
economics student, several young men and women dressed in
traditional costumes took the stage.
