Unity in Motion: Bridging Cultures Through Dance at International House
Picture this: As the sun sets and the sky transforms into a canvas of brilliant hues, I-House residents begin trickling onto the Heller Patio. The air is filled with warmth, excitement, and festivity. Girls wear flowing chaniya cholis and lehengas (traditional South Asian long skirts) adorned with elaborate embroidery and mirrors, while the guys don vibrant kurtas. Residents form large concentric circles, performing and chanting the movements for the Indian folk garba dance steps I had taught them moments ago: “Forward, forward, back, back, forward, forward, spin!” The energy is contagious as people pull their friends—beginners and skilled dancers alike!—into the circles, while residents overlooking the patio rush downstairs to join the celebration. The spirit of unity and inclusiveness flourishes as everyone moves together under the warm lights of the Heller Patio.
The Great Garba Festival Fall ’23 at I-House Heller Patio
As the night progresses, the rhythms intensify. Upon my instruction, everyone grabs a pair of dandiyas (colorful sticks) and forms long lines facing each other. They joyfully strike their sticks together in a repetitive dance sequence, sharing smiles, laughter, and encouraging nods. The lines flow in opposite directions, and with each cycle of beats, everyone faces a new partner, building connections through this vibrant social dance. The atmosphere is captivating and magical, as residents sway, clap, sing, laugh, and dance barefoot to the beats of the dhol in their colorful ethnic attire–creating a kaleidoscope of moving hues. During breaks, people snack on hot, savory samosas, attempting to quickly refuel before eagerly diving back into the group dance.
This is just a glimpse of The Great Garba Festival, which I led and organized in Fall ’23 —a vibrant cultural dance celebration that filled the air with joy.
Residents were excited to learn the new steps and techniques!
I am thrilled to share that my new cultural exchange initiative was a resounding success—one of my proudest achievements—and I hope it becomes an enduring I-House tradition for years to come. Hosting the I-House Great Garba Festival on the Heller Patio was truly a highlight for me. From bringing savory snacks and numerous pairs of dandiya sticks to teaching Garba and Dandiya steps to fellow residents, seeing everyone come together to dance the night away filled me with immense joy and purpose.
Embracing the Legacy of Cultural Dance Traditions
Dance has long been a pivotal aspect of cultural exchange at I-House, with roots dating back to the 1930s. The folk dance program established in the mid-1930s hosted Friday night folk dancing and elaborate yearly festivals that attracted people from across the Bay Area. Ballroom dancing in the Chevron Auditorium was a regular Monday night event, and dances commemorated occasions such as the new Student Welcome, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and the Spring Extravaganza. One such festival included a North American Indian prayer dance, a Rheinlander from Norway, the Basque Porrusalda, fishermen’s dances from Japan and the Netherlands, a sheep-shearing song of Palestine, Las Lagarteranas from Spain, African American spirituals, American square dances, a Son from Guatemala, the native San Juan of Ecuador, an Argentinian Media Caña, Mexico’s Alteñitas, a Borracho, and dancers from Germany, Sweden, France, Czechoslovakia, China, and the Philippines!
As chronicled in the Hall of History, “The unique element of the festivals is that folk dances of, say, Hungary, are done by a Hungarian and students of other nationalities. All students learn some of the dances and customs of other nations, so a Festival visitor does not see an all-Spanish chorus or an all-Russian dance, but folk dances performed by students of many lands.” As former I-House staff member Eugenie Carneiro beautifully summarized, “The festival is more than entertainment; we try to present a universe in a moment of time. Participants and audience derive from this experience a deep measure of significance which lives long beyond the scintillating joy and fun of the performance itself.”
While the Chevron Auditorium was instrumental in the early days of I-House dance, our Heller Patio has more recently emerged as a beautiful outdoor community space where residents gather casually to dance the night away. Those whose rooms overlook the patio are drawn to the festivities, as are passersby from the halls. The cozy atmosphere and central location of the Heller Patio create a welcoming vibe that encourages residents to unwind and explore new dance genres after a busy day.
Alumni Reflect on Dancing at I-House
This past Alumni Happy Hour, I had the opportunity to speak with alumna Sandhya Sood, who shared some of her beautiful memories with Indian classical dance and cross-cultural interactions at I-House. It was wonderful to reflect on our shared experiences!
“We were introducing each other at a table, a table where people from so many different nationalities were sharing ideas, and I said I learned classical dance in India, and somebody asked me more questions about it. And here we are at lunch and I’m doing these classical dance gestures, and the interest was amazing, and I thought- I had not had this kind of conversation ever, where I’m breaking it down, and explaining what it means culturally, and having so much curiosity around me. It’s a beautiful memory.”
~ Sandhya Sood (IH 1997-99), India
We asked I-House more alumni and residents to share their favorite memories from their time here, and these are some of their responses:
“Folk dance on Friday evening” ~ Subhash Risbud (IH 1970-74), California
“Performing the Maori Haka” ~ Steifan Wiechmann (IH 1997-98), Germany
“Ballroom dancing class on Monday nights” ~ Jabina Ramde (IH 1991-95), California
“Performing in front of a large, lively crowd during the Diwali celebration at I-House was an unforgettable experience. Watching the audience dance along with us was truly exhilarating. I-House transformed me from someone with no dance experience to a confident performer on stage!” ~ Kinshuk Nigam (IH 2023-24), India
“I absolutely loved the salsa classes, but also vividly remember classical cultural dances for the Ukrainian and Romanian culture hours!” ~ Luca (IH 2024)
“I love Salsa dancing on Thursdays! Those remind me of home in Peru!” ~ Kevin Astuhuaman (IH 2024-25), Peru
My Inspiring Journey with Dance at International House
Dance has played a significant role in my I-House experience, giving me some of my closest friends and most cherished memories at Berkeley. As an Indian-American raised in the multicultural Washington, D.C. metro area, I have always had a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, while also staying connected to my Indian roots. Learning Indian dance forms has been my way of embracing my culture. I trained in Indian classical Kuchipudi dance, Bollywood dance, and also picked up Bhangra, Garba, and other regional styles along the way. I am passionate about choreographing and teaching dance, sharing my rich cultural heritage, and bringing people together. These passions led me to establish new cultural exchange initiatives at I-House.
With a few fellow I-House residents and friends, I founded Naach (Dance in Hindi) at Berkeley, an open-to-all, workshop and performance-based organization to spread inclusivity through dance. It brings me immense satisfaction to see people who have never danced before take the stage—a memory they can cherish wherever life takes them. Through Naach, I began teaching Bollywood dance workshops for residents in the Heller Patio and Home Room, as well as leading the crowd-favorite “Dances of India” finale performances for the annual Resident Benefit Concert and Intercultural Festival held in the Chevron Auditorium. I became actively involved in I-House’s vibrant cultural exchange landscape, engaging hundreds of residents through dance workshops, performances, and cultural celebrations—each one more rewarding than the last! This year, I am excited to lead a new series of Indian Dance Workshops every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. for I-House residents! Participants will be able to learn various Indian Dance styles including Bollywood, Bhangra, Garba, and more. We recently kicked off the series with I-House’s second Great Garba/Dandiya Festival as shown in the videos below.
A cornerstone of the I-House experience is the DiversiTEA & Coffee hours, where residents come together in the historic Great Hall to celebrate cultural traditions from around the world. A different country is highlighted each week, filled with food, games, and trivia. This allows residents to share stories, customs, music, and dance from their cultures. Cultural dance plays a vital role in these gatherings, featuring performances such as Salsa, Nigerian dance, Romanian folk dances, and even a Chinese Lion dance in the Dining Commons!
My personal favorite (though I might be a bit biased) is the Diwali DiversiTEA & Coffee Hour! Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. What’s a Diwali celebration without dance? Each year, I take a leadership role in choreographing, teaching, and leading dance performances. Last year, I collaborated with around 30 residents, organizing workshops and practices on the Heller Patio. The performance was a blast, and everyone loved it! Afterwards, we spontaneously started a follow-along dance featuring popular Indian tunes. Before long, the Chevron Auditorium—packed to capacity—was filled with residents joining in and dancing to the catchy steps.The energy was infectious! You can see for yourself in the video below! Another memorable moment was when my sister Sivani Voruganti (IH 2022-23) and I demonstrated dance steps atop the stone table in the Heller Patio, which has become a fun tradition at DiversiTea & Coffee Hours.
Celebrate Diwali at I-House on October 30, 2024
This year, a Diwali DiversiTEA & Coffee hour will be open to I-House alumni after dinner! Here’s a glimpse of what we have planned: a delicious I-House Diwali dinner from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Dining Commons, stunning rangolis (Indian art form of decorating floors) adorning the staircases, traditional floral decorations, henna art, and of course, lively dance performances and follow-along dance sessions in the Chevron Auditorium. Don’t miss out! Cultural theme dinners cost $24 per person (see more details) and the celebration continues after dinner. You don’t want to miss one of I-House’s most cherished cultural traditions!
Share Your I-House Dance Memories
Dance has been integral in championing cultural appreciation and inclusivity at I-House. While language often acts as a barrier to cross-cultural communication, dance serves as a universal art form that transcends these limitations. It allows us to cherish and embrace diversity. Through movement and social dancing, we build connections, foster understanding, and celebrate cultural expression, all while strengthening our sense of community and creating lasting memories.
I-House alumni, residents, and friends: What is your favorite memory from a cultural dance experience at I-House? Share with us in the comments below!