“A Celebration of India,” an event sponsored by the NIU College of Business, was a remarkable showcase of Indian culture and tradition. Held March 25 at the Yellow Box Theater in Naperville, the event was also supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost, and was presented by the Indian Student Association.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Dean Balaji Rajagopalan, where he said,
“It is events like this that bring our community together and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that make up our world.”
He then invited the Deputy Consul General of India, Mr. T.D. Bhutia, to the stage for a few words. Following this, Dean Kerry Wilks presented an award to the president of the Indian Student Association, Sharan Shiram Shetty, for his efforts in planning this event.
Ajay Golla, an executive board member of the Indian Student Association, served as the master of ceremonies for the night which featured five unique dances from the Tarana School of Music and Dance, followed by a musical performance by the Grammy-nominated Berklee Indian Ensemble. A brief intermission allowed guests to shop with local vendors and chat with the NIU MBA Program at their information table. Local vendors offered a variety of traditional Indian clothing and jewelry.
Graduate Student Experience and Engagement Coordinator Ben Piscopo attended the event and enjoyed the celebration.
“I have always had a deep appreciation for Indian culture, so it was special for me to put this together with the Indian Student Association. It was an incredible evening with beautiful displays of culture, art and community,” he said.
The event concluded with an encore performance by the Berklee Indian Ensemble, at which point guests left their seats to dance and sing in front of the stage. The ensemble also hosted a meet and greet with fans in the lobby, allowing guests to interact with the performers and learn more about Indian music and culture.
“‘A Celebration of India’ was a huge success, featuring a wide range of cultural performances and activities that left a lasting impression on all those in attendance,” said Rajagopalan. “Many of the art forms presented date back hundreds of years and, for some, maybe even a thousand years. The fact that these art forms evolved and embraced changes over time is a lesson for all of us — forms of art bring people together and celebrate the beauty of diversity. Events like these play a crucial role in promoting cultural understanding and appreciation while demonstrating NIU’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse campus community,” he said.
