SAMOSA Kismat Unites Multicultural Organizations on Campus

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Christina Iglesias

The South Asian Multicultural Organized Students Association (SAMOSA) held its 17th annual multicultural talent show last Saturday. This year, the show was named Kismat, which means fate in Hindi, and took place in the Villanova Room. Kismat showcased multicultural talent, including Bollywood fusion, to unite the University’s multicultural organizations.

The show featured dance performances from Nova NASSA, the Twirlers, Ablaze, Superlative and off-campus teams Nehriyan from Rutgers University and Mayuri from Bryn Mawr College. The mesmerizing dancers transported attendees to different countries as they blended various cultures and dance styles together during their routines. In between performances, SAMOSA members acted out a romance skit to keep energy high as attendees eagerly awaited the next performers. The University’s newest co-ed a capella group Measure Up also sang and had crowd members dancing in their seats to the beat. 

During intermission, there was a fashion show in which SAMOSA members and their friends walked in Indian clothing to proudly represent their heritage. When guests were not watching the impressive performances, they were chowing down traditional Indian food, including chili paneer and the crowd favorite: samosas.

SAMOSA Executive Board had been planning Kismat since last spring to ensure the success of the event. 

SAMOSA Co-President Rohan Parikh noted, “For weeks we were making sure all the pieces were in place, reaching out to groups, marketing the show, communicating with the university and splitting up responsibilities. That weekend was about bringing moving pieces together and bringing our ideas to life. It was stressful because of the sheer number of things we had to do, but when it was over, it was clear that everyone’s time and energy paid off.”

The members’ hard work paid off indeed, as approximately 550 people from across campus joined to celebrate South Asian culture on campus. All proceeds were donated to GiveIndia, a charity that provides meals to the poor in India. SAMOSA’s diligence and generosity embody the club’s mission to include and support underrepresented groups both on campus and across the globe.

When asked about what Kismat means to her, SAMOSA Social Chair Sweta Sheth said, “I think the annual SAMOSA show is important for the school because it showcases the talent of not only Indian culture, but also other cultures across campus. It’s refreshing to see multicultural talent on a predominantly white campus, and people love it.” While the long-awaited Kismat show just passed, SAMOSA members are already looking forward to throwing next year’s event. 

SAMOSA welcomes students of all backgrounds to join the club. If you did not get the chance to stop by Kismat this year, keep your eyes peeled next year to be a part of the celebration.