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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2004)
Indian culture showcased at annual Ustav celebration Hundreds of people turned out for the event, which featured traditional Indian food and dances By Jared Paben Senior News Reporter Nearly 500 people celebrated with the Students of the Indian Subconti nent on Friday night in the group's fifth-annual Utsav celebration. As many as 100 people came from the Portland area alone to participate in Utsav, which means "festival" in Sanskrit, SIS co-Director Edwin Prasad said. Prasad added that Fri day's celebration does not coincide with any Indian holiday. Dancer and SIS member Gibran AzamAli said the event was simply an opportunity to promote Indian culture locally. Utsav is the second-largest cultural celebration at the University, trailing only behind International Night fes tivities, said Prasad, who organized the event. The celebration started at 5:30 p.m. with a traditional Indian dinner, fol lowed by a skit, some traditional and not-so-traditional dances and a fash ion show in the EMU Ballroom. Prasad said there are many reasons why crowds of people throng to the celebration every year. First, he said Indians in Eugene find it a good op portunity to congregate, meet and re connect with others in their culture. Second, there seems to be a wide spread fascination with Indian cul ture, he said. "The show and the glitter of Indian culture appeals to a lot (of people)," he said. AzamAli, who has participated in the event for the past four years, said people come because the taste of In dian culture showcased by the event is completely different from anything else in Eugene. He also said the skit segment offers insight into the way In dians view the world. He offered a third explanation for the hearty turnout: the food. "I think the first thing is the food," he said. "I've seen people just stay for the food and leave for the show." Some of the dishes served were a curry cheese dish called Shahi Paneer, a lentil soup called Daal Makhni, Chicken Korma and Naan bread. One of the stars of Friday night's show was 4-year-old Priyanka Manda, who danced the Dayya Dayya and drew cheers and a roaring applause from the crowd. Manda, who taught herself the dance in four days, said she wanted to Lauren Wimer Photographer Four-year-old Priyanka Manda performs the Dayya Dayya dance during Friday night's Utsav celebration in the EMU ballroom. dance "(because) I'm a small kid and everybody will be impressed at me." She added that her favorite part of dancing is running around and spinning. Throwing some spontaneity into this year's celebration, event organiz ers and volunteers celebrated event Turn to INDIAN, page 4 Annual China Night focuses on old, newTaiwanese culture Organized by the Chinese Student Association, the event included hip-hop dancing, food and a play By Reese Lee Freelance Reporter Students and community members were greeted by young ladies dressed in glossy silk cheongsams as they en tered the EMU Ballroom on Sunday evening. The occasion was China Night 2004, an annual event organ ized by the Chinese Student Associa tion. CSA organizes China Night to present centuries of Chinese culture, and this year's theme was Taiwan. After the food, which was prepared by CSA, was served, the program be gan with Chinese New Year songs sung by a group of students from the Eugene Chinese School. The night continued with a play titled "Oh, For mosa" that lasted the entire duration Danielle Hickey Photo Editor (Left to right) Freshman Tina Chen, senior Joanna Cheng and freshman Kimberly Chan present Chinese goods to graduate student Hani Attia at China Night in the EMU Ballroom Sunday night. of the event. The play showcased different as pects of traditional and contemporary Taiwan, including a Tai-Chi display by the Chinese Kung Fu Tai Chi Acade my, hip-hop dance, rope-skipping, Taiwanese "A-mei" tribal dance and a performance on the yang qin, a tradi tional Chinese musical instrument. Senior Vickee Liang, who has been involved with China Night for the past two years, said this year's event Turn to CHINA, page 4 CORRECTION In “Groups lose funds due to no-shows" (ODE, Jan. 26), the story stated that House of Film was de-funded because members of the group failed to show up to an ASUO Programs Finance Committee meeting. However, members of House of Film made the decision to switch from PFC funding to fund-raising several months prior to the hearing. The group is still active, although not supported with incidental fees, and director and president Bryan J. Buck said in an e-mail that members are currently working on a feature-length film.The Emerald regrets the error. LAZ All call: 687-0139 for party info FLOWERS SAY YOU CARE... • Encourage • Congratulate • Thank someone! You select *7" up The University Florist 610 E. 13th Avenue at Patterson 485-3655 or toll-free (800) 478-3655 www.eugenesflowerhome.com RISE New Location Open next to Baja Fresh in the Coburg Rd. Pavilion Buy one d Get one f We sene freshly roasted organic beans, loose leaf organic tea, excellent pastries and more, all in a relaxed, family oriented environment. INTRODUCTORY OFFER SENNELIER 30% OFF Oil colors, oil sticks, oil pastels and special pastel drawing pads Sale ends February 11,2004 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON BOOKSTORE OVEN TOASTED BY TWO LOCAL GUYS! TOASTED SUBS • SOUPS • SALADS UO Campus at 13th & Alder (Inside Starbucks) 5th Street Public Market • Gateway Blvd. & Beltline Rd. ■m www.campvega.o Apply online! Camp Ve is now hiring for Sunomer 2004 lucstrian, W B H i* I n i* M H H H H H i* | H H B 6 i4 s iter*rixrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrj ... •Ill We will be on your campus February 5th 10am-3pm In the EMU, Rogue Room
