---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Aditya Kashyap <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: May 21, 2007 7:17 AM Subject: Assam.org: Help Request To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear Assam.org, I am contacting on behalf of the Indian Students Association (ISA) at UC Berkeley. We are interested in having your region's culture represented in our newest event upcoming this September, tentatively labeled Diversity of India (DOI). DOI, would center around the premise that India is exotic and diverse. Yes, we have our standard bhangra, Raas, Diwali, and Holi events. However, I got to thinking after several people from last year's council warned that we should stick to our cultural roots if we are to grow strong as a cultural organization. Many Indian student organizations throughout the country have these events, but they are mostly representative of the Punjabi and Gujrati communities (and a general North India emphasis). However, India has much more to offer. This year, after making new friends with people from regions of India traditionally underrepresented in the South Asian population on campus, it became clear that we should illustrate that ISA is about ALL of India, not just the major population centers. The goal of DOI would be to seek out those regionally unique elements of culture (in both food and performance arts) that we normally don't get to see in South Asian events put on by Berkeley's South Asian student groups. We will be featuring a cultural showcase (without awards, no competition): There would be roughly 8-10 art performances, each from a different region of India (musical, dance, poetry, singing, etc.) The emphasis would be to keep the performances strictly REGIONAL. This means an art form found only in the respective region, not something practiced throughout India. Thus, even though things like Sitar and Tabla are highly cultural, they would NOT be a part of DOI because they are widespread. We want to see something specifically from your community's region of India that makes it special. If you know of any performers (singers, musicians, dancers, etc.) of art forms unique to that would like to represent Assamese culture at DOI, please let us know. The event will take place sometime in September. We want to raise awareness of Assamese culture and India's diversity! Feel free to call me if you have any questions or email back ASAP. We have tried really hard to find Assamese organizations in the Bay Area, but to no avail. If you know of any contact info for such groups in the Bay Area, please let us know!!! We know there is one, Jonaki, but we are unable to get their contact info. Best, Aditya Kashyap ISA Internal Vice-President 858-342-9107 -- www.Assam.org - Assam Portal since 1997... Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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