India Night entertains hundreds

Melissa Stein
Chief Copy Editor

The mystery and miracle of India sparked to life in the Meridian Ballroom Saturday at India Night 2001.

Performers twirled in colorful dress on a stage flanked by the stars and stripes and the orange-, green-and-white flag of India. Indian students and dance instructor Smitha Rajan performed classical and folk dances from India. The dances involve intricate hand and foot work and facial expressions to tell a story.

The sold-out event drew nearly 550 people. Nearly 450 tickets were sold, and 100 more were allowed in after the dinner. But the food fell short.

Preshith Reddy Kunta, president of the Indian Student Association, said those who weren't able to eat will be refunded their money.

"I hope to correct our mistakes from now on," Reddy said, who apologized for the food shortage.

There were a few difficulties with the sound system, which didn't damper the energy of the crowd that whistled at the dancers. SIUE graduate Sangam Budhiraj danced to "I'm an Indian"; he had practiced the dance 10 minutes before the show in the bathroom, publicity committee chair Ravi Sreepada said.

Six students performed a skit, "Flyover to the U.S.A.," a humorous commentary on the difficulties some Indian students have in getting their visas. The skit was spoken in both English and Hindi.

Students, Indian and non-Indian, threw aside their usual outfits of jeans and T-shirts for traditional dress from the 28 Indian states. A few men wore long cloths called dhothis and kurthas and pajamas while the women wore saris. The outfits were showcased in a fashion show.

The night concluded with a dance in the Goshen Lounge.

The Indian Student Association, the largest international student organization on campus, is 208 members strong. The association, with the help of the Turkish American Student and Friends Association, raised $3,150 to be sent to the Indian state of Gujurat for reconstruction after an earthquake in January.

The association also assists Indian students in their transition from India to the United States and welcomes Indian students at the airport when they first touch American soil.

According to the International Student Enrollment Report, of the 497 international students enrolled for spring, Indian students make up nearly 40 percent, or 190 students.