GSU’s Office of International Service (OIS) & International Culture Organization is bringing back the Dandiya Night and Bathukamma Celebration event for its 2nd year. The event will be held at the Hall of Governors on Friday, Oct. 28. from 4 – 7 p.m. 

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to RSVP here. 

The Phoenix spoke with Bilal Khan, who has been planning and organizing this year’s Dandiya Night and Bathukamma event and has been a current grad assistant at GSU for the department of the Office of International Service (OIS) since 2021. 

“We had such a great turn-out last year and got great responses and feedback from those who participated; we had to return and turn this into an annual event,” Khan said.

OIS is merging festivals from two different regions of India (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh); the traditional Dandiya night showcases the classic folk-dance form started in Gujarat, and the festival of Bathukamma is described as the “festival of life.” Khan added, “Both these festivals, while different, from two different regions, unite and celebrate and pay honor to the Gods and Goddesses for blessings through dancing and teachings.”

Dandiya and Bathukamma in India are celebrated annually over eight to nine days, through September and early October. These festivals are sacred and in India and celebrated worldwide, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. 

In addition to events such as Dandiya and Bathukamma festivals, the department of OIS encourages community members, GSU students, staff, and faculty to take part in learning different traditions and cultures. 

Khan added, “All of our events and goals that we have not only celebrate cultures and traditions … but make them part of our community and for those who are not familiar, to become familiar, our target audience is to educate all.” 

While the invitation encourages guests to dress traditionally, it is optional. Khan said, “Traditional clothing is not required but encouraged; the event will offer opportunities for both festivals to share details and information for those who may not be knowledgeable, as well as custom foods and traditional dances, to offer more education.”

For more inquiries on participating in the event and other concerns, please reach Bilal Khan at [email protected].