It was a colourful cultural evening with a difference at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). One that showcases facets of Indian culture, but the performances are not by Indians. Instead, the performers are students from foreign countries who come to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) as part of its prestigious, one of its kind, Study in India Program (SIP).
At the end of both Fall and Spring semesters, SIP has the convention to organize this unique cultural evening. This year too, November 5, 2013 saw the SIP students put up a spirited cultural evening at DST auditorium, performing for their Indian classmates, faculty and the campus community. The evening was an impressive show of talent that combined what the students had learnt in India with what they brought back from home.
The evening exhibited many flavours of India, which blended perfectly with some of the performances from the western countries. It all started off with an elegant Bharatanatyam dance recital which set the tone for the rest of the evening. Move your Body dance by Tina and few kids was a hit with the audience. Bhavani’s Hindi Class ‘Ala Barfi‘ was very hilarious too. To enhance the cultural experience, there was some superb Haiku recitation by Marielle and Jennie. The students also performed on the Sitar keeping the audience glued to their seats. Melodious tunes and also a song from the hit movie Ashiqi 2 played on the sitar moved the audience. This was followed by an inspiring fashion show by the SIP students in Indian ethnic dresses. A video on How to Belly-Dance made by John and Emily shot in various locations in Hyderabad was played that kept the audience in splits. A spirited and sparkling Kuchipudi Dance by graceful performance had the audience in awe of the performers, hoping this evening would come back soon. At the end of the programme the students felicitated the Director, SIP, teachers and trainers who helped them to learn and perform Indian music and dance in the cultural programme.
The University’s Study in India Program (SIP), which began in 1998 with only 8 students, is an interdisciplinary initiative, emphasizing on heritage, continuity and change in India. The program has expanded considerably in recent years and now draws about 200 students every year. The SIP students take up regular University courses with Indian students in different schools alongside SIP courses, especially designed for foreign students.