Gajjda Bhangra: A club for those seeking something new

With the passing of the mid-semester, you may be looking for new, exciting events to keep yourself occupied during the colder weeks. The good news is that Suny Geneseo offers many diverse and unique experiences to all students on and off campus.  

Nov. 4, 2023 marks Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights that symbolizes “the victory of light over darkness.” To celebrate, Shakti, Geneseo’s South Asian culture club, will be hosting an event in the Interfaith center from 6-9 p.m. Tickets will be sold in the union during the week as well as at the door. 

Experiencing new cultures is a beautiful thing, and if the delicious Indian food doesn’t convince you, the dances that Shakti and Gajjda Bhangra perform will! Immerse yourself in South Asian culture and experience entertainment like no other! 

Bhangra is a traditional folk dance that originates in the Punjabi region of South Asia. Its energetic and fast-paced style keeps members such as me excited and enthusiastic. As one of the Captains of Gajjda Bhangra, I assure you that Bhangra has brought people of different ethnicities, genders, and dancing abilities together. Whether you’ve done ballet for 15 years, musical theater, or never danced at all, Bhangra is such a unique style of dance that everyone will learn something from. 

If you’re looking for a long-term solution to the boredom and weight of the college experience, joining Gajjda Bhangra is the perfect solution. Those who love to dance for fun (mainly at parties and on their bedroom floor), as well as those who love dancing competitively, will view this team as an outlet for expressing themselves, meeting a diverse group of people, and releasing the stress of the semester. Also, if you weren’t convinced yet, Gajjda Bhangra takes an annual trip to Rochester to compete with other dance groups, meet new people, and create lifelong memories.

To join Bhangra is to meet lifelong friends and involve yourself in the creation of an artistic experience. It’s fulfilling to practice routines and watch the pieces of the final dance weave together into an exhilarating, jaw-dropping performance. Even if performing is new to you, the experience and practice you’ll get will diminish any lingering nerves. Lastly, and most importantly, the remixes and songs chosen in the tracks are complete earworms. 

Wearing traditional Bhangra costumes and performing multiple times during the semester for other students adds to the eagerness and passion associated with Bhangra. Before attending Geneseo, I'd never heard of Bhangra; now, I dance on stage with friends in ways I never thought I could. 

One of Bhangra’s many performances will be during Diwali. If you’re bored during the early hours of a Saturday night, come check out a performance you’ve never seen before! Plus, if you’re looking for a rich and exciting club/team, Bhangra will be hosting an open practice on Nov. 6 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Schrader Dance Studio! Come alone or bring a friend who’s interested in the art of dance and expanding their cultural pallet.