Sanskriti showcases Indian culture

From some of the earliest Bollywood tunes to the most recent fashions, more than 200 people celebrated India’s culture and history. 

The 12th annual Sanskriti ’09, an event organized by the Indian Student Association, drew more than 200 people to the Civic Center Saturday. 

Children and adults with cameras sat directly in front of the stage as emcees Shri Pendakur and Carmel Rao led the packed house through a full night of events. The program featured songs, dances, skits and a fashion show. 

SIUC Chancellor Sam Goldman opened the night’s events with a traditional “lamp lighting” followed by a short speech. 

Goldman thanked the Indian student population for their commitment to “Saluki pride,” and said Indian students “probably represent the largest portion of international students on campus.

“This great university is made even greater because of you all here,” he said.

Madhu Nalamati, vice president of the Indian Student Association, said the purpose of India Night is to gather Indians in Carbondale who do not usually have a chance to socialize. 

“It’s hard to get to know people during university time, when we are doing our course work,” he said.

India Night is also a time to showcase Indian food and culture.

“There is much more to Indian culture than what you might see in Slumdog Millionaire,” Nalamati said.

Members of the Carbondale community, SIUC faculty and local businesses lent their support to India night. Even some alumni returned to Carbondale to show their appreciation for the cultural occasion.

Jennifer Pinto, a graduate student in accounting, participated in the fashion show, which featured both traditional Indian dress as well as western-style clothing.

“As Indian girls, we want to show a little Indian culture, but also show how we’ve adapted to the American culture,” she said.

The fashion show, which incorporated choreographed Indian song and dance, was a crowd pleaser ­— drawing shouting and cheering from the students in the crowd. 

Harini Ramaprasad, an assistant professor in computer engineering, performed several old Bollywood songs. 

“Bollywood is a huge part of Indian culture and song is a huge part of that,” she said. 
As Ramaprasad took the stage, the emcees roused older audience members, putting them on the spot to recall lyrics to the old Bollywood tunes.

For some students such as Ami Joshi, a sophomore from Schamburg studying health care management, participating in India Night was a chance to connect with her Indian heritage. 

“I’ve been here in America since I was 4, so I’ve had to adapt to the Indian culture more than the American culture,” Joshi said.

Sanskriti ’09 provided a fun night of cultural learning.  Many participants expressed hope that India Night would leave audience members with a better understanding of the culture and food of India.

“India is so much more than the stereotypes  — snake charmers and such,” Joshi said.
Although India Night provided an opportunity for Indian students to interact and mingle with other members of the Indian community, Nalamati reiterated the night is about bringing people from all different cultures together.  

“The theme is music — India night is all about music — and spicy food.  Everyone is welcome to share in that,” Nalamati said.