Lessons Learned

Being a part of a dance team really is much more than dancing.  It teaches one the true meaning of teamwork, how if everyone has the same goal in mind and works hard for something, something so very beautiful can come out of it.  It teaches one how to handle stress, whether it be through other things going on in life, like academics, or the dance itself. In addition, it teaches one how to follow authority, increase self-esteem, and foster creativity.  It makes one disciplined, teaching one to push through pain, exhaustion, and sometimes tears to put on something amazing. Indian dance, in particular, manages to do this and more. As a Punjabi Indian, I never truly felt completely in touch with my culture.  Joining bhangra really changed that for me. I could always speak and understand Hindi, but now I have started to understand Punjabi words. I have learned so much about Punjabi culture and history through dancing and interacting with the team. It has helped me create this identity, not only on campus but in life, as an Indian-American.  Honestly, one of my favorite parts about being on this bhangra team is just how open and welcoming the community is. The non-Indian members we have on our team really speak for that. I think being a part of a dance team with such deep cultural ties, whether it be raas or bhangra, is a great opportunity for anyone, not just Indian-Americans.  Finally, the biggest thing being a part of Indian dancing has taught me is just how important it is to connect with one’s culture. Having such a hybrid identity allows one to draw from so many aspects to create a unique personality. I hope to carry on this thought moving forward, striving to emphasize the importance of connecting with one’s culture, and heavily promoting Indian dance as a key model to do so.