Hungama Deemed a Roaring Success

Barefoot students of different class years, college affiliations, and cultures collided—literally in some cases­—at Hungama, a South Asian dance fest held at the Malkin Athletic Center’s gymnasium Saturday night.

Hungama, organized by Dharma, Harvard’s Hindu Students Association, means “uproar” in Hindi and showed a scene of vibrant flashes of traditional South Asian garb swirling to lively music.

“I haven’t pre-gamed at all and I feel amazing,” said Firth M. McEachern ’08. “It’s almost trance-like.”

While there were the expected die-hard dancers who showed up, first-timers too were well-represented.

“People come having no experience and learn on the spot,” said Dharma Co-President Utpal N. Sandesara ’08.

Some said they felt that the event provided a social opportunity unlike others found around campus.

“This is so far removed from the regular social scene at Harvard—going to a room and listening to some crappy rock music,” McEachern said.

The night began with Garba, a traditional form of dance from Northern India, performed in concentric circles.

“Once you get the basic leg moves down, you can add your own flare with your hands,” said Louis K. Kang ’09.

The next dance style on the music playlist was Raas, in which dancers hold striped sticks, clacking them together while moving in parallel lines or circles. The night ended with a bang, as a cheer rose from the crowd when a strobe light shut on and Bhangra music, a fusion of traditional Punjabi music with a pop background beat, pulsated through the dance floor.

“When everyone is so tired, they all just go crazy,” said Abby Swenson, an MIT junior.