Raunak Showcases Diversity of South Asian Dance

Raunak, a show hosted by the South Asian Dance Company, brought together student dancers from several colleges in a performance showcasing South Asian cultural diversity on Saturday night.

The show, which is in its thirteenth year, featured not only Harvard dance groups like Harvard TAPS, Harvard Bhangra, and Harvard Breakers, but also groups from schools all over New England. Participating universities included MIT, Brown, Tufts, Columbia, Yale, Dartmouth, Boston College, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

SADC, a co-ed dance team at Harvard, is currently comprised of 20 undergraduates ranging from freshmen to seniors.

This year, in addition to the traditional intercollegiate dance-off, Raunak’s program also included a breakdance battle, an improvisational Bollywood dance-off between audience members, and a surprise award presentation for the director of the show.

Students involved in the show said that Raunak provides a chance for students of South Asian descent to come together and an opportunity for all students to experience a taste of South Asian music and dance.

To SADC captain and Raunak director Anumita Das ’16, the spirit of Raunak is encapsulated in the performance itself.

“In Sanskrit, Raunak means ‘light’ or ‘illumination,’” Das said. “And this is exactly what the teams are doing—lighting up the stage with their different and wonderful styles of dance.”

The set list is not restricted to classical dance. Raunak features all styles—Bollywood, classical, even hip-hop and fusion—and is meant to be a reflection of the diversity of dance.

“There are two main things that drive Raunak. One is the capacity to show the wide range of emotions that can be expressed and experienced through South Asian dance. The other is this sense of triumph and joy in coming together,” SADC Social Chair Siddhartha G. Jena ’16 said. “Raunak is a celebration of South Asian culture and dance that embodies our community.”

For Das, who agreed with Jena, Raunak is a unique way to demonstrate the diversity of South Asian culture.

“Raunak serves as a forum for intercollegiate dialogue pertaining to the South Asian culture,” Das said.

Das has served as the director of Raunak for the past two years.

“There is no more wonderful feeling than seeing all of your hard work coming together. Seeing everyone smiling, having fun, and connecting through dance is the best,” she said.

Students said they appreciated the fact that many schools get to perform together at the event.

“It’s really cool to meet people through dance. I’ve met enough people over the years that I know a few people on each team,” Jena said.

“The best part is that everyone’s excited about the same thing: dancing together,” UMass Amherst student and Dhadak team captain Pernashee Dave said when asked about her favorite part of Raunak.