More than half of the available tickets for this week’s cultural performance by Binghamton University’s International Indian Student Union have already sold out, according to group members.
IISU will be hosting their 12th annual cultural performance, also referred to as Tamasha, which means “a spectacle” in Hindi, this Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Watters Theater. This year’s theme, “Jamba Masala,” details the story of a prospective freshman, Manu, who begins to embrace his Indian heritage as he enters college.
Last year’s show was completely sold out, with a maximum capacity of 600 seats.
A special Indian dinner and dessert is also scheduled for the night before the performance. The dinner, sponsored by Taj Restaurant and Patel Brothers, will be held tonight at 9 p.m. in the New University Union, room 252. Tickets are on sale at the Student Association Box Office in the New University Union at $12 for only a show ticket and $15 for a show and dinner ticket.
The show will be choreographed in the style of Hindi movies, and will follow a storyline interwoven with traditional and modern dance.
According to Albin Mathew, a junior majoring in accounting and the president of IISU, the show is “one big skit” integrating an eclectic mix of Indian cultural arts. In addition to popular dances, Mathew said, the show will feature classical and contemporary songs as well as a South Asian fashion show. Types of dances to be performed include bhangra, moda, mixed moda and classical.
The debut performance will feature a welcoming dance choreographed by the freshman class, and the finale presentation is a slide show segment on the senior class.
Student members started practicing for the performance in October, three months in advance. Tamasha is comprised of more than 40 student performers, and groups dedicate three to four hours per week to rehearsals held in the Fine Arts Building.
According to Pooja Atluru, coordinator of the South Asian fashion show, the 30 student members involved in the fashion show dedicate an additional one to two hours twice a week to practice in the Hunter Great Room of Mountainview College.
Mathew said Tamasha is a chance for student cast members “to get a taste of Indian culture and express it in terms of [playing] music, acting and dancing.”
“The kids get to go out there and, you know, they get to express this culture,” he said.
For Atluru, the best thing about Tamasha is that it “brings everyone together and showcases Indian talent and culture.”