India Night moved to Assembly Hall for fans

By Sheila Maltos

The Indian Student Association will host its annual India Night Saturday at Assembly Hall. The event is celebrating it’s 18th year and has been moved from its original venue at Foellinger Auditorium to accommodate a growing crowd.

“India night is really a great opportunity for just the campus to see what the South Asian culture is about – a lot of talented students are in the show,” said Sejal Patel, junior in LAS and coordinator of the Bollywood dance team.

This year’s event consists of 14 acts that display some of the best talents of Indian culture on campus, said event organizer Charu Gupta, sophomore in LAS.

Thirty acts tried out for this year’s show. The judges who chose this year’s acts looked for creativity, energy and originality. Candidates had only one minute to display their originality, Gupta said.

“Everyone put so much work into the show,” Gupta said. “No matter what, it is going to be … the best show.”

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Some notable performances this year will be by the Toys R Raas and Bollywood dance teams, said event organizer Jay Patel, sophomore in LAS. Toys R Raas won last week’s Best of the Best intercollegiate national Indian dance competition in New York. The Bollywood dance team won last fall’s Dance Fusion competition in Washington D.C.

The Bollywood dance team, known this year as the Chambanamigops, will perform a slightly new version of a past Bollywood dance favorite. It will fuse salsa and hip-hop, as well as traditional dance forms, said Sejal Patel.

The dance team has been practicing for 20 hours a week since September, Sejal Patel said.

Another highlight of the night will be the 6 non-conventional MC’s entertaining audience members, Jay Patel said.

“It’s unique from most shows … They’ll give comic relief to the audience. It’s an act in its own,” Jay Patel said. “This group of guys has gone outside the box. People are actually anticipating these guys more than anything before.”

Jay Patel said the night will be unforgettable.

“I just want people to enjoy themselves, have a good time . Really give them the best show possible that this student organization can,” Jay Patel said.

Performances will begin at 7p.m. Tickets are available at the Illini Union Ticket Central and online at ticketmaster.com. Advanced tickets will be $13-15 and $18 at the door.