The University’s Indian Student Association hosted India Night on Saturday at Foellinger Auditorium. South Asian groups from throughout campus showcased their expertise for track and dance on the lit stage.

From 6-9 p.m., the musical celebration featured dynamic performances from a number of RSOs, starting from the a capella group Chai Town to the classical Indian dance staff UIUC Dheem.

Aarushi Raathor, vice chairman of communications at ISA, emphasised the significance of offering the South Asian group a platform to have fun their tradition, whether or not they have been worldwide college students or college students born and raised in America.

“You have all these different people from different backgrounds, but they still share that same desire of wanting to find their place,” Raathor stated. “I think no matter what identity you are or what ethnicity you are or where you’re from, everyone has that desire in them to find a place, especially on a college campus.”

Before the doorways opened at 5:30 p.m., a line of individuals had already wrapped across the balcony railing of Foellinger and was full of audible pleasure for the night time forward. 

In the minutes main as much as the efficiency, entertainers rushed across the auditorium in conventional desi garb of varied colours and concrete streetwear.

After renditions of the United States and Indian nationwide anthems, the night time started with an introduction from the emcees, who riled up the viewers with jokes and playful banter. They then engaged in a makeshift breakdance competitors earlier than introducing the primary act for the night, Chai Town.

The South Asian a capella group inspired the viewers to sing and clap alongside as they carried out a medley of songs like Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean?” and “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic.

They have been adopted by UIUC Dheem, a staff of 5 classical Indian dancers wearing glittering conventional regalia and ankle bells that rang with every motion. They tapped their toes in time with the Hindi music and danced across the glowing plastic candles that lined the stage. 

UIUC Fizaa took a special strategy by reenacting the “Avatar: The Last Airbender” storyline by dance. Voiceovers of the characters performed over the audio system, interrupted by dance battles led by dancers dressed as Zuko and Azula.

Many RSOs that carried out have been additionally nationally acknowledged in collegiate a capella and dance competitions, reminiscent of Illini Raas, who positioned third at nationals the week earlier than. For the aggressive Indian folks dance staff, this was their first time acting at a faculty occasion.

As the final efficiency of the night time, Illini Raas entered the stage in mild blue jerseys geared up with Garba dance sticks. The performers twirled and waved the sticks at breakneck speeds whereas high-energy music performed within the background.

At one second through the dance, they started to shout the University’s well-known name and response, “I-L-L, I-N-I.”

Kisha Patel, staff captain of Illini Raas and member of the ISA board, spoke concerning the attraction of acting at India Night.

“The size is something of magnitude, but at the same time, it’s so cool that you get to perform for people that are your friends and go to your classes and (who) you see on the street walking around and acquaintances and such,” Patel stated. “They don’t get to see that side of you that’s a performer.”

India Night is the fruits of many months of apply from the dancers. Patel expressed her pleasure about lastly exhibiting off what they’ve been engaged on.

“Everyone goes to practice weekly, all for the fact that they get to show this performance off once and this thing they’ve been creating for the entire year once, and that’s tonight,” Patel stated. “There’s so much that builds up to it for them.”

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