Adelphi's Best Dance Crew Brings Energetic
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Delphian November 21, 2016 The Voice of the Students Volume 72, Issue 5 Adelphi’s Best Dance Crew Brings Energetic Fastathon 2016: South Asian Culture to Campus Giving Thanks and Being Hopeful BY BRYAN GRILLI Fifty Muslim and non-Muslim students gathered for the Fastathon 2016 on Monday, Nov. 14 in the University Center 313. The event started at 4:30 pm and ran until 8 PM and included a key- note speech from Mohammad Hasan, an instructor at the Oaktree Institute in Brooklyn, and various refreshments and dinner, which included dishes such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Paneer Masala, Naan and Gulab Jamon. Sadiq Rahman, senior business and economics major and Vice Presi- dent of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), admitted that originally the night Team Macaulay Deewane won for the second time in two years. was planned more as a chance for stu- BY REBECCA SINGH Photo provided by Gabrielle Deonath dents to come together and give thanks around the time that Thanksgiving is Navindra Tajeshwar, the Presi- summer as we invited teams and chose vi- celebrated in the United States. “Dur- On Saturday, Nov. 12, collegiate dent of the South Asian Student Associa- tal structural components for a night filled ing the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast Bollywood fusion dance and Bhangra tion, and Tristan Baharally, the President of with entertainment,” said Tajeshwar. and take the time to be grateful for all teams came from around the state to the Student Activities Board, worked hand Baharally said he is always hap- the luxuries we have such as food, water perform and compete in Adelphi’s Best in hand with both of their executive boards py to hear people screaming for the team and basic necessities. We wanted to show Dance Crew. Bollywood fusion consists of to put together this intercollegiate dance they support, and to see everyone enjoying people how Muslims give thanks in light a blend of different styles of dance, such as competition. their time, smiling and laughing with their of next week.” classical Indian dance, hip-hop, contem- According to Tajeshwar, the event friends at the table or even on the dance While this objective was still porary, Bhangra and the dance style nor- provided a window through which the floor. at the forefront of the evening, Rahman mally used in Bollywood film. Bhangra is Adelphi community can see the intricate Performers and the audience were confirmed that considering the events a traditional Indian folk dance, originating South Asian culture, all while enjoying a also very pleased with the outcome of the of the election week and this tumultu- in Punjab, India, which consists of inten- thrilling competition. event. Parita Domadia, a senior mathemat- ous political time, MSA and the keynote sive hand clapping and foot-stomping. For SAB and SASA, this is a col- ics major and the captain of AU Sapna, speaker wanted to address the fears and This annual event, hosted by laboration that has worked not only this said it was her fourth year participating in anxieties facing the Muslim community. the South Asian Student Association and year, but in the past as well. ABDC and it continues to exceed her ex- “I spoke to Hasan ahead of his speech the Student Activities Board, is one of Tajeshwar said, “SAB and SASA have pectations. “Teams really go through a sig- and he said that he felt after two years the campus’ highly anticipated events worked on ABDC together for the past two nificant amount of practice for this event of giving similar speeches, he wanted for many of the South Asian and Carib- years. SAB’s contribution makes a great hoping to put on a good show,” she said. to change it up a little bit,” Rahman ex- bean students. The two competing Bolly- difference in both the planning process and According to Aditya Samaroo, a plained. “He specifically referred to the wood fusion teams were Brooklyn Jhoom execution of the event because they are al- junior physics major, the atmosphere of election and how he wanted to advise the and Macaulay Deewane. The competing ways there to help in any way possible.” ABDC was very lively and the crowd- Muslim students in attendance.” Bhangra team was Stony Brook University “Since my sophomore year, SASA pleasing performances were highly ener- Much of Hasan’s speech in- Bhangra. The judges, Divya Mary James, and SAB have always worked together on getic. “The competing teams were well co- volved a story of Moses from the Quran: Sanjana Reejsinghani and Howie Magaro, Adelphi’s Best Dance Crew,” said Bah- ordinated and they looked like they were about the prophet Moses being born dur- are three experienced and qualified mem- arally. “It’s always been a great experience, having as much fun as the crowd was. I ing a year in Egypt when all Israelite bers of the Indian dance community who and working with Navindra and the rest of enjoyed ABDC and hope next year’s is male babies were supposed to be killed. have made a reputation for themselves as his team was amazing. It’s always great to awesome as well,” said Samaroo. However, through the guidance of Al- instructors, leaders of troupes and fierce collaborate with other clubs and organiza- At the end of the night, Macau- lah, Moses was delivered from such a competitors. tions, and I’m especially glad that our col- lay Deewane walked away with the title of fate and was able to be reunited with his Not only were there perfor- laboration was successful as well.” Adelphi’s Best Dance Crew for the second mother at the palace of the Pharaoh. One mances by the competing teams sprinkled For these executive boards, the year in a row. of Hasan’s was to communicate the throughout, but there were also exhibi- planning of the event is a timely process. (continued on page 3) tion performances from AU Sapna, AU “The planning process was tedious, but Bhangra, Soormay (a collegiate Bhangra well worth it. The process began over the team) and Adelphi’s Paws and Rewind. 2 • November 21, 2016 NEWS The Delphian A Word from the Editor I don’t know about you, but I can almost taste the turkey, mashed potatoes, Editor-in-Chief Volume 72 stuffing, candied yams and cranberry sauce. And haven’t we earned it after this trying se- Bryan Grilli Issue 5 mester? I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving break as a pit stop to refresh and rejuvenate before the final push to the end of the semester. The bad news is there’s still a lot of work News Editor Earle Hall Media Center to be done, but the good news is that the week we come back is the last full one. So dig Gabrielle Deonath One South Avenue deep down and give it that last burst of energy; the end is in sight! As you are all well aware, the future of this country was determined on Nov. 8. Garden City, NY 11530 For better or worse, the president-elect is Donald Trump and the day saw Republicans Editorials Editor taking full control of the Legislative branch of government as well, and a clear path to Brian Jennings HOW TO REACH US influencing the Judiciary. During this time, I think it’s important for people who voted Main Office: 516-877-6935 for Trump to realize that many people are in legitimate mourning and are scared for their Features & Entertainment Editor E-mail: [email protected] futures. People are afraid for their rights and well-being after the divisive and hurtful Danielle McDougall campaign run by the President-elect. I’d suggest to anyone happy about the outcome to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR remember this and understand where the people who supported Hillary Clinton are com- Sports Editor Letters to the editor must be less than ing from. Fallon McCarthy 400 words and include the author’s Also, for those who were distraught by the outcome of the election, I’d ask them name, as well as affiliation to the to try not to generalize the opposition and understand that not all Trump voters were fu- Production Artist college. Letters may be edited for the eled by bigotry. Mohammad Hasan spoke to the Muslim Student Association on Nov. 14 Valentina Garcia purposes of space and clarity. and asked them to try to not feel like America voted against them. I’m not going to say Letters should be sent to these next four years won’t be trying and difficult, and I’d encourage anyone to use their Staff Writers [email protected] freedoms to make their voices heard and protest as the Adelphi community did on Nov. 14 Nikki Cuccio when they marched through campus. But hate cannot defeat hate; only love and commit- Samantha Dominik ORIGINAL ART ment can. Senior English major Jennifer Krol, could attest to the notion that if you use Emily Elefonte Original drawings, photographs, your voice, you can make a difference and get responses you might not necessarily have Olivia Franks and political cartoons can be sent to expected as she did when receiving a letter from President Barack Obama. Read about it Geselle Maldonado [email protected]. Please attach on page 6. Throughout this issue, you will find an assortment of reactions to the election Jillian McIntyre name and affiliation to the college. by students, faculty and professors, as well as an article about how to survive the holi- Ece E. Ozaman day without coming to blows with family and friends.