Spotlight

The South Asian Dance Company (SADC), in particular, has been the perfect forum for my dance taste. My dance background is quite varied, from jazz to bhangra to hip hop to West African to ballet. Not only does SADC encourage fusion and thinking outside of the box, the company also dedicates itself to increasing social awareness by spotlighting a charity at shows and donating all proceeds to them.

What has been your most fulfilling artistic/academic experience?

Even though it’s still in the makings, I think RAUNAK-—the South Asian Dance Company’s 3rd annual intercollegiate fusion dance show—will be my most fulfilling experience to date. This is the first year that one of the founders of SADC hasn’t been a director, and I have big shoes to fill. RAUNAK has been like my child for the past five months, and I’ll be so excited come October 8th and 9th to see it all come together.

How has Harvard been a home to you?

I think Harvard’s a hard place to be. Things move quickly here. But the people here are really exceptional. Through my extra-curriculars and dance here, I have met some of my best and closest friends. Without the support and love that I’ve found through them I don’t think I would consider Harvard a home to me.

Characterize yourself or your taste in dance projects in five words.

Passionate, eclectic, involved, driven and lively.

Where do you imagine yourself next year, post-graduation and in ten years?

Still dancing around my room to 80s music.

Which do you prefer: performing your own choreography or performing a dance designed by another choreographer?

I definitely feel that, in order to be a strong choreographer, you must dance someone else’s choreography as well. Not only do you gain experience as a dancer, but you also learn how to be an effective leader. You’re forced out of your own comfort zone and into that of another choreographer. I personally think choreographing is one of the hardest artistic endeavors because you must constantly be innovative from each eight-count to eight-count.

Do you have any entertaining performance stories?

This is actually the sad tale of a freshman, but it was my first introduction to dance at Harvard. During the second week of school, I heard that the Bhangra team was throwing a party around 8, so I got all dolled up—I even put on my heels, earrings and did my hair. I got to the location fashionably late—but to my surprise, the event was far from a party, it was an introductory dance lesson! I stripped off the heels and earrings as inconspicuously as I could and fell in line with the other more informed first-years. I started dancing that day and haven’t looked back since.