Students from UCF’s Sangam Indian Student Association held their second annual Garba and Dandiya Rass dance night Friday, Oct. 16 in the Pegasus Ballroom.
Garba and Dandiya Rass are traditional Indian dances which are typically performed during the celebration of Navratri, a nine day festival celebrated throughout Indian culture.
The evening began with students learning how to perform the Garba dance, a quick paced dance requiring fast footwork and clapping in unison. Eventually it resulted in a room filled with swirling colorful skirts and clapping hands as everyone began to master the dance.
UCF students from all backgrounds were given the opportunity to learn these dance steps Friday night, even if they have never done it before.
Pavan Bucha, a UCF computer science grad student who is originally from India, had never been to a Garba and Rass dance night but said he enjoyed the event.
“I’ve never been to a Garba, not even back in my country [India] so this is my first time learning these steps,” Bucha said. “This is also my first to a Sangam event but I’m planning on joining in on their next event.”
Trevor Jenkins, a sophomore computer science major at UCF was also attending a Garba and Rass dance for the first time and immediately found himself dancing with the rest of the crowd.
“I immediately joined the circle of dance. It’s great, they have an advance circle and a beginning circle,” Jenkins said. “Garba. Loved it. Garba all night.”
Besides the dancing festivities, traditional Indian food was available for purchase.
Sangam is planning on hosting an event, the Diwali Show, in celebration of the Festival of Lights on Oct. 25 starting at 5 p.m. This event is free with a valid UCF student ID and a free dinner is provided.
