Spring Break
Cultural talent show gives back to South Asian community
Addley Fannin
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
The Indian-Pakistani Student Associations of NT and Texas Women's University came together Saturday evening to present their Dhadkan cultural talent show.
Dhadkan, which means "heartbeat" in Hindi, is a show dedicated to and performed by students of South Asian heritage.
The 14 performances included everything from solos in traditional languages to cultural dances performed as a team and South Asian bands from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, such as Popular Anonymous.
"The acts are meant to showcase our South Asian student body talents, tradition and culture," NT's association president Benzi George said. "They're all very talented."
The association prides itself on giving back to the community by donating to various charities.
A portion of the money received at the Dhadkan talent show went to help two South Asian charities: CHETNA and Asha for Education.
CHETNA, an acronym of Compassion, Harmony, Education, Trust, Nurturing and Awareness, formed in support of South Asian women who have suffered from domestic violence.
It provides services such a confidential help lines and peer support to women in need.
Asha for Education is dedicated to improving the way of life for children in India by raising the literacy rate.
Despite being located on separate campuses with separate governing bodies, collaborations between the sister associations are not uncommon.
"The whole point of IPSA is to strengthen the bond between Indian and Pakistani students at both UNT and TWU," TWU's association president Ricky Abraham said. "In response to the need of culture, the IPSA will strive to unite students of all backgrounds who share a similar interest in India and Pakistan. That is IPSA's main purpose."
The official mission statement of the association is to unite the South Asian student population and spread awareness of the culture.
Members of the association are encouraged to participate in cultural festivals throughout the Dallas area during the school year to spread information about Pakistani and Indian culture.
In addition to reaching out to the community, the association serves as a support group for South Asian students looking for someone from their own culture to connect with and relate to.
"We provide a safe and fun environment for everyone to participate in, where everyone is safe and they have nothing to worry about," Abraham said. "It also helps to give you identity about your culture and your background as Indian and Pakistani students, and if they don't know much about their culture, we try to help out where we can."
Dhadkan, which means "heartbeat" in Hindi, is a show dedicated to and performed by students of South Asian heritage.
The 14 performances included everything from solos in traditional languages to cultural dances performed as a team and South Asian bands from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, such as Popular Anonymous.
"The acts are meant to showcase our South Asian student body talents, tradition and culture," NT's association president Benzi George said. "They're all very talented."
The association prides itself on giving back to the community by donating to various charities.
A portion of the money received at the Dhadkan talent show went to help two South Asian charities: CHETNA and Asha for Education.
CHETNA, an acronym of Compassion, Harmony, Education, Trust, Nurturing and Awareness, formed in support of South Asian women who have suffered from domestic violence.
It provides services such a confidential help lines and peer support to women in need.
Asha for Education is dedicated to improving the way of life for children in India by raising the literacy rate.
Despite being located on separate campuses with separate governing bodies, collaborations between the sister associations are not uncommon.
"The whole point of IPSA is to strengthen the bond between Indian and Pakistani students at both UNT and TWU," TWU's association president Ricky Abraham said. "In response to the need of culture, the IPSA will strive to unite students of all backgrounds who share a similar interest in India and Pakistan. That is IPSA's main purpose."
The official mission statement of the association is to unite the South Asian student population and spread awareness of the culture.
Members of the association are encouraged to participate in cultural festivals throughout the Dallas area during the school year to spread information about Pakistani and Indian culture.
In addition to reaching out to the community, the association serves as a support group for South Asian students looking for someone from their own culture to connect with and relate to.
"We provide a safe and fun environment for everyone to participate in, where everyone is safe and they have nothing to worry about," Abraham said. "It also helps to give you identity about your culture and your background as Indian and Pakistani students, and if they don't know much about their culture, we try to help out where we can."
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