Vibrant colours, traditional dance and evocative images were part of the 2010 edition of the Rhodes Hindu Students Society’s (HSS) cultural show. The society’s premier event, now in its 11th year, exhibited all that is Indian but added a touch of Africa.
Vibrant colours, traditional dance and evocative images were part of the 2010 edition of the Rhodes Hindu Students Society’s (HSS) cultural show. The society’s premier event, now in its 11th year, exhibited all that is Indian but added a touch of Africa.
It was held at the 1820 Settlers Monument on Saturday where more than 500 guests arrived, some of whom were decked in a variety of traditional glittery Asian regalia.
Guests were invited to “Experience India” and one definitely felt as though you are there with images of Indian landmark buildings flashed in the background of the stage.
Guests were treated to a variety of traditional food, dance, theatre and fashion including pantsula dancers to add a bit of African flavour.
Later, The Geetanjali Academy of the Arts from Port Elizabeth performed a number with traditional Xhosa dancers. Four vibrant, new generation South African Indians were the emcees of the evening and entertained the crowds throughout the three hour long extravaganza, with funny yet thought-provoking dialogue.
One of them, Daschia Pather, is the HSS’s media officer. Her aunt, Yogi Sutton, flew all the way from London to support her.
“It put an enormous amount of pressure on me because I knew I had special eyes watching,” said the second year LLB student. The guest of honour, Dean of Students Dr Viv De Klerk, chose to speak briefly about culture, noting that we tend to take it for granted, only noticing it when other people behave differently.
“Differences like this can be dangerous, because people fear and suspect the unknown – as we have seen with flareups of xenophobia or racism in our country. “Once one is part of a social group who all do things the same way, it’s rather tempting to stay in that safe and comfortable zone and often develop prejudices and stereotypes that are unfair and inaccurate,” said De Klerk. She added that she was glad that Indians came to South Africa and stayed in the country as they have “enriched our lives enormously.”
It was 150 years ago when Indians first came to South Africa and the event not only marked the occasion but also highlighted India’s 63 years of independence which is celebrated on 15 August.
One of the guests, Amy Nicol, said she thoroughly enjoyed all the performances. “I got an absolute taste of India.The show demonstrated diversity by incorporating other cultures. That was great,” said Nicol.
Moses Sekisambu, a first year pharmacy student who also attended remarked on the performers’ outfits, saying, “They were outstanding.”
He added that he was inspired to go back to his motherland of Uganda to learn more about his own culture.
HSS’s president Dhiya Lachman gave guests something to think about when she addressed the audience after introducing the society’s executive committee.
“The soil, however rich it may be, cannot be productive without cultivation, so the mind without culture can never produce good fruit,” she said.
