Bright, energetic music plays throughout the room. Dancers smile as they perform Gardi, Hubo and Tippani - exotic movements part of the dance - and people join in the organized dance that is Gharba.
This atmosphere can be found on Saturday Oct. 15 when Indian SA will be holding its annual Gharba, a traditional dance celebration of Hindu culture, at 7 p.m. in Harriman Hall.
Gharba is a form of dance performed during the nine day festival known as "Navarati" in India. The festival itself originated in the Gugurat region over 1000 years ago and was originally meant as a tribute to Hindu deities.
In order to perform the dance, the men and women form a circle around an image of the goddess Amjabi. The dancers then move in a circle around the image, singing and rhythmically clapping to music. The dancers also use a pair of sticks known as "dandiyas," which act as extensions of themselves.
Gharba is taken very seriously by its performers, and there are numerous different competitions across America, organized by the Federation of Gujarati Associations of America.
On Saturday, students will be able to participate in the Gharba, dancing along and using the dandiyas too.
The primary goal for the event is simply for all students to have fun and enjoy the dancing, said Ashish Abraham, the Public Relations Officer of the Indian SA.
"It's just meant as a way to dance and have fun," Abraham said. "To celebrate it is to share in their culture."
Another goal for the Gharba is to alter some stereotypes about Indian culture, according to Abraham.
"This event is another away to experience India," Abraham said. "We'll try to break through some ethnic clich?(c)s while we enjoy ourselves."
Oddly enough, despite being from India Abraham did not originally celebrate Gharba, as he had a Christian upbringing.
"I'm a little confused because it is still new to me," Abraham said. "It's a part of what makes any Indian Indian."
Students, while unfamiliar with the customs and beliefs behind Gharba, said they are enthusiastic about possibly participating.
"The whole things sounds like a lot of fun," said Chris Dowd, a sophomore film studies major. "This kind of event is good for promoting the different cultures that are at UB."
On the other hand Jim Horng, a senior English major, was non-plussed by the description of the dancing.
"It sounds very physically demanding," Horng said.
The cost of the event is $5 for students, with the proceeds going toward paying for this and other events to be run by Indian SA.
