Human biology junior Anjali Patel performed in the Semi-Classical dance during the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students’ Satrang show Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall. The student-led performance featured dances from regions across India. Katie Stiefel/The State News
Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall was filled to the max Saturday as the audience watched members of the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students, or CIUS, dance routines influenced by regions across India.
Satrang, which means “seven colors,” is an annual CIUS event where students perform Indian dances, such as Bollywood, Fusion and Bhangra. This year’s theme was Silsila, which means “continuation” in Hindi and was incorporated in every dance this year.
“We put this on because we want to educate everyone in an entertaining way about the culture and history of India,” said Anisha Koppolu, president of CIUS. “A lot of people get culture shock when they see this kind of show.”
Anjali Patel
Although she was born with one hand, human biology junior Anjali Patel did not let that stop her from one of her passions — dancing.
Patel was one of the main choreographers for the Semi-Classical dance, partially Bollywood and partially classical-Indian dance. Patel made sure everyone she taught the dance to was comfortable knowing she could joke about having one hand.
“Growing up, my parents told me that I can do anything and to not let other people get me down,” Patel said. “I am pretty insensitive about it because if I am comfortable with it, everyone will be comfortable about it.”
Patel led the group during the Semi- Classical dance during the show and was not afraid to be front and center.
Ronjini Hassan
After finally getting the guts to try out for Spartan Sur, MSU’s first South Asian a capella fusion group, marketing sophomore Ronjini Hassan ended up getting a solo part in Satrang this year.
Hassan took the stage during the second half of the performance and sang “We Found Love” by Rihanna as part of her solo.
Being the only a capella group in the show is a way for MSU Spartan Sur to get word out about fusion a capella, Hassan said.
“We combine Bollywood music and classical music with any kind of mainstream American music as well,” Hassan said. “Our mission is to spread awareness that our music is not just Bollywood and there is more to Indian music.”
Jon Burgess
Finance junior Jon Burgess, a member of the MSU Breakdance Club, said he liked participating in the event because he got to learn about other cultures’ dances. While Burgess does not have an Indian heritage, he said everyone made him feel welcome.
“There are multiple dances that have people from different backgrounds, so it’s pretty cool.”
Even with his break dancing background, he said at times, learning Bhangra still was a challenge because it is smoother.
“I think break dancing helped me with the endurance, but they are two totally different worlds,” Burgess said.
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