Culture Ablaze

Weinberg freshman Viraj Raygor, McCormick junior Gaurav Gadodia and Weinberg
freshman Ajay Haryani (left to right) perform with Northwestern Bhangra. The group’s
dances originate from the Punjab region of northern India and Pakistan, but the style is
evolving with modern influences. Northwestern’s group is in its fifth year on campus.
CULTURE
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ABLAZE
While you were at
Tracy Morgan’s show,
the South Asian
Student Alliance
was putting on its
annual festival of
color, costume, music
and movement. The
result? An energetic
display of South Asian
culture in movement
and rhythm.
By Jared T. Miller
Weinberg senior Sheena Agarwal, president of Bhangra, is proof of the group’s evolution;
traditionally an eight member, all-male dance, Northwestern Bhangra includes six women
along with six men in its dances. The Punjabi folk style dates back to the 1400s.
Opposite: Communication junior Annum Bhullar, captain of Mirch Masala, applies make-up
before the group’s circus-themed performance. Mirch Masala is the newest female dance
troupe on campus, blending classical Indian dance with hip hop.
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Weinberg freshman Sue Chuang (left) applies makeup before Deeva Dance Troupe’s dance.
The all-female group blends classical Indian dance with Bollywood, jazz and hip hop, and
recently placed second in the Manhattan Project, a competition hosted at NYU. Weinberg
freshman Rajul Parekh (right) dances in Deeva’s “seven deadly sins” themed performance.
MORE PHOTOS ONLINE AT
NORTHBYNORTHWESTERN.COM
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