On May 1st, in the LaSells Performing Arts Center, The Indian Student Association (ISA) hosted India night, a cultural event flourishing with past and present cultural traditions from India. The event is annual, with a goal of bringing Indian culture into the Corvallis community. Outside, performers warmed up physically and vocally, preparing for their performances to come. 

Dimagi Pitawala, an applied economics grad student and dancer for Sawariya said being part of India night helps her feel more connected to others. Pitawala said her group has been preparing for this event for months.

Sonali Rakshit, an applied economics grad student and dancer for Sawariya said her favorite part of performing is “looking out at all the people and seeing their excitement to see us.”

Srivatsav Sundaresan, a sophomore ECE major and singer for OSU Gulab Jammin’ said that getting to showcase and perform his talent is his favorite part of India night. Sundaresan said his confidence has grown each year he performs. 

Akash Ranade, a senior computer science major and singer for OSU Gulab Jammin’, said it is his first time performing in India night and has found the experience to be a great way “to meet the Indian community at Oregon State.”

Naina Hegde, a sophomore double major in psychology and biological health sciences, and the marketer for ISA said it was her first time performing at India night. To her, India night is “a collection of Indian culture not only across Corvallis but across Oregon.” Her favorite part of performing is “trying to remember to smile and not freak out on stage”. She performed in multiple sets including the ISA Committee Dance and OSU Garmi.

When audience members had taken their seats, the event began with the Indian National Anthem, the crowd joined in on the soloist Dhwani Ruparel. Next came the National Anthem also sung by Ruparel and then a message from the ISA co-presidents, Khushboo Desai and Adithya Nair. Nair said in “1979, the Indian Student Association was created to promote unity through diversity” with a primary goal to create a sense of home. 

Desai then invited President of OSU, Jayathi Murthy. President Murthy said “how important the ISA’s work is at Oregon state, especially in a time that the world is fractured.” 

President Murthy then invited Prakash Gupta, the current Consul General of India in Seattle. Gupta spoke briefly on the service available at the Consulate General of India Seattle location, including passport and visa support. 

Gupta and President Murthy exchanged gifts and the performances began with a comedic video created by the ISA. When the video ended, yellow light flooded the stage and the ISA Committee Dance began. Next came Ajinkya Gokule, performing a song while playing the electric guitar. 

Following the solo, Aneesha Mahindraker, the choreographer for ISA performed a semi classical dance with a modern twist. Afterwards came a vocal solo performance of a south Indian piece, sung by Dhaya Raja. Finally, to wrap up act one, a partner dance with mixed styles of south Indian classical, folk, bollywood and more. 

Intermission began with catering from Evergreen, a local Indian restaurant in Corvallis. The selection included gobi manchurian, paneer butter masala, channa masala, naan, samosas and gulab jamun. 

After getting food, guests mingled and spoke on the first act, remarking on the values of this event. 

President Murthy said that India Night is a good way “to meet the India community at OSU. I am from India so connection with the community is incredibly important.” President Murthy was excited for all performances but looked forward to the Gulab performance the most. 

Alex Ganesh, a sibling of a student at OSU, said she and her family were in town for Spring Parents Weekend and chose to attend this event. She was looking forward to the Bollywood performances specifically and was excited for all the food and outfits. It was her family’s first time attending India night.

When dinner wrapped up, act two began with two songs from OSU Gulab Jammin’, an acapella group. Following their performance a traditional clapping dance began, the audience joined in with the clapping. 

Kinetic was next on stage, announcing their collaboration with OSU Garmi and following their high energy dance performance, OSU Swara, a south asian musical club, made up of a diverse group of vocal and instrumental styles, languages and cultures performed. 

Sawariya performed a piece titled “when my two worlds meet”, showcasing the experience of being a young Indian girl growing up in America. As the final performance, OSU Garmi, the Indian dance team, performed the last dance of India night before the event wrapped up. 

Desai and Nair thanked all the attendees and their fellow performers for coming to India night and supporting Indian culture at OSU. The ISA will be hosting Holi in June, the event will be free and details will be released soon.