Pitt-Bradford's 'One World' Cultural Festival Brings Bollywood to Bradford

Bollywood will be coming to Bradford at the ‘One World’ Cultural Festival Saturday night (Feb. 26) at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The Naach Sensation Dance Company will be the featured entertainer at the popular festival, which also features an international sampling buffet, parade of nations and activity booths. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. in Frame-Westerberg Commons with the opening of the buffet line and the booth display area. Those dining are asked to bring a dish to pass or make a $5 donation.

The event lasts until 9:30 p.m.

The Naach Sensation Dance Company was started by Sonalee Vyas, who specializes in traditional and contemporary East Indian “Bollywood” dance styles.

“Bollywood” is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India.

Vyas has more than 15 years’ experience as a professional dancer, instructor and choreographer and tours extensively performing for campus audiences, corporate clients, and community and civic organizations.

A student group of Bollywood dancers led by Rev Jangiti and Morgan Kinville will perform as well.

Others participating include Japanese ikebana flower arranging demonstrated by visiting professor Dr. Fumio Kobayashi of the Yokohama College of Commerce, Pitt-Bradford’s sister school in Japan. Another YCC professor, Dr. Morio Arimoto, will travel from Japan to participate in the festival, demonstrating the game “Go.”

Several groups were inspired by this year’s emphasis on India. Student Activities Council will sponsor a booth with henna painting, the Enchanted Mountain Weaver’s Guild will feature cotton spinning from India, and a poster presentation will feature messages of nonviolence from Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Outside of the buffet, international tastings will be available in the form of flambé from the Hospitality Club, sushi from the Anthropology Club, and a taste of Mexico from the Nontraditional Student Association.

Other activities include face painting by the Art Club, a “What Do You Know About Asia?” quiz from the Asian Student Alliance, basket making with the Division of Management and Education, a drum circle, and more.

The Commons Café will also be decorated with flags representing the nations Pitt-Bradford students call home. This year, the flags represent the nations of Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guinea, Haiti, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Senegal, Singapore, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

The Cultural Festival first began as a student celebration of Black History Month initiated by the Black Action Committee in the mid-1990s.

In addition to the festival steering committee, this year’s contributors include the Anthropology and International Cultures Club, the Behavioral and Social Sciences Division, Communications and the Arts Division, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Management and Education Division, Metz and Associates, Nontraditional Student Association, Office of the President, Student Activities Council, Student Government Association, Study Abroad and International Studies and Togi’s Restaurant.

For disability related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at 814-362-7609 or clh71@pitt.edu.

Pictured, Sonalee Vyas, founder of Naach Sensation Dance Company, which will perform at the ‘One World’ Cultural Festival at Pitt-Bradford Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford