|
 A cultural break from studying
 Bhangra, sitar, Bharatanatyam and Indian music took centrestage at the AAPI Show, ‘Festival of Lights’, held in UMDNJ on Friday, November 17, 2006.
UMDNJ or University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, New Jersey, is a university geared towards preparing generations of medical and dental students, as well as several graduate scientists, physical therapists, etc. In-between study time, the students at UMDNJ take part in various clubs and extracurricular activities. The most recent was the ‘Festival of Lights’ show that was put up by the AAPI Club. AAPI stands for American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, and the mission of AAPI at UMDNJ-Newark is to “facilitate and enable Indian American physicians to excel in patient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs”.
 The Festival of Lights show featured various Indian dances, including two classical Bharatanatyam numbers. Other features comprised songs, Bollywood dances, a fashion show, and a hip-hop/fusion Bhangra dance. Sreelatha Akkapeddi said, “It’s a great way for students/people who are in medical school to express their culture. To do something non-medical and reach out to their culture, at least once a year.”
The Indian dinner was offered first, and then the show opened with the American National Anthem being sung by student-Joslyn John. Next, medical student Clara Lee performed the Indian National Anthem, on violin. Following that, Priyanka Narayanan inaugurated the show with Ganesha Kauthuvam, a classical Bharatanatyam dance number that is an invocation to the remover of obstacles - Lord
Ganesh.
 After this, ‘Chand Sifrash’, the popular song from the movie ‘Fanaa’, was sung by Ashish Parameswaran. The next item was a Bharatanatyam number with fusion dance incorporation, choreographed and performed by Priyanka Narayanan and Komal Shah. The other participants in this dance were Kavita Gupta, Sreelatha Akkapeddi and Ekta Shah.
After the intermission came a Punjabi dance, ‘Rang Deeni’, by first-year medical students. Next was the AAPI Fashion Show, where over 30 models demonstrated the latest and hottest Indian fashions, from glittering sarees to dazzling lehengas and suits.
 Kavita Gupta commented that the show was “a good show…I particularly enjoyed the violin number…I also liked the show because it gave me an opportunity to perform classical dance again.”
Sreelatha Akkapeddi, a second-year medical student, added, “In the previous years, there was no traditional dancing at the AAPI show. This year, even non-Indian spectators had a chance to enjoy the show because we had a taste of traditional India….not just the Bollywood aspect you see on TV.”
Kalyani Narayanan, whose daughter, Priyanka, took part in the AAPI show said, “The dances were wonderful. The dances showed that the younger generation has not forgotten our culture or traditions. It looked like the students loved performing on stage.”
 Priyanka is a Masters student, studying biomedical sciences at
UMDNJ-Newark.
Komal Shah, who participated in two dance numbers, said, “From classical Bharatanatyam to modern hip-hop, dancing is my way of expressing myself. My dancing style represents my love for the Indian and American culture.” She is studying physical therapy at
UMDNJ-Newark.
 Ashwin Iyer, who was among the audience, said, “The dancers had beauty and grace.”
Overall, the dances and songs recreated an Indian atmosphere for one night, amidst the world of studying medicine, and provided a welcome relief for students and a colorful entertainment event for all the parents, friends, family and teachers who attended the event.
Priyanka Narayanan
|
