With sweat on their brows, members of the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students concentrated while dancing to traditional Indian rhythms this weekend.
The group was practicing for its upcoming "Satrang" event on April 8.
"Satrang" is the coalition's annual cultural show dedicated to bringing a taste of Indian tradition to campus.
Nine groups will perform dances from different regions of India to explore the diversity of the subcontinent's cultures.
Event coordinator Jason Master said most people don't realize how diverse the country is.
"They only think 1 billion people, polluted and crammed," Master said. "Really things are different in every part of the country. There are five to 10 languages represented in our organization alone."
Master, a finance sophomore, said this year's theme is "Taal," which means "rhythm."
"The dances represent beats from every region," Master said. "We put these beats together to form one rhythm."
Human biology junior Sayee Kiran also helped coordinate the show. She said the event will concentrate on traditional dances, although the group has showcased modern styles in the past.
"We want to keep it close to our roots," Kiran said. "There will be no straight-up westernized music."
She said the show represents their culture and remains an educational opportunity for MSU students.
"This school is so big," Kiran said. "There are so many cultures. This is our way of showing who we are."
Kiran said the event also brings students of Indian heritage together in a social setting.
Because international students take part in the event as well, she said the American students learn more about modern Indian culture.
"Growing up (in America), we only know what our parents tell us," Kiran said. "(International students) teach us more of the popular culture in (their countries)."
Sunitha Prasobhan, an international student from Malaysia and finance junior, said she didn't know many people when she came to MSU.
She said the performance is a great way for MSU students to get exposed to international culture.
"Americans are so used to one popular culture," Praboshan said. "Participating in this makes people more aware of what is going on in the world."
