Indian Students’ Association hosts night of traditional dance

The Indian Students’ Association will host Navratri, a holiday traditionally celebrated in the Indian state of Gujurat at 9 p.m. Saturday in the Marvin Center ballroom.

Navratri commemorates the nine nights before Diwali, which is the new year in the Hindu religion.

The event will feature a live band and provide a stage for traditional folk dances such as garba and dandia, which involves the rhythmic striking of sticks as participants dance in circular formations.

“It will be a night of traditional Indian dance,” said ISA co-president Rajan Bhaskar.

The event will be open to the general public, but ISA members will pay $3 and non-ISA attendees will be charged $5.

Money raised will benefit a scholarship fund started by the South Asian Society for students of South Asian background, Bhaskar said.

Bhaskar said Navratri will be the first ISA event of the year. Upcoming events include a Diwali program in the Marvin Center ballroom Nov. 7 and a unity lock-in Nov. 13.

-Preethy Kolinjivadi