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SACE seniors pose for a group photo after their signature senior dance, as photographed on Nov. 4, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Olivia Noell)
SACE seniors pose for a group photo after their signature senior dance, as photographed on Nov. 4, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Olivia Noell)
Olivia Noell

IN PHOTOS: Back to ‘The Dances of South Asia’

The Dances of South Asia put on a thrilling showcase of dance performances and a signature fashion show.

It wouldn’t be TDS without creative humor meshed with diverse dance styles. In a three-hour long performance held on Nov. 4 at Langford Auditorium, the fictional story of Monty Mehta was accompanied by a stunning fashion show, numerous South Asian dance groups and guest performances from dance teams and acapella groups. 

These groups and the TDS performance as a whole demonstrated the campus’s cultural diversity spanning from Bollywood to Bharatanatyam choreography. 

As the showcase unfolded, the story of Monty Mehta, played by senior Shivam Vohra, ignited a wide variety of emotions as spectators witnessed his accidental transportation to the past. The fictional skit, directed by seniors Priya Bhatt and Anika Mahajan, follows Mehta’s love for dance. He faces opposition from his mother Lavanya Mehta, played by junior Nandika Chirala, who stopped dancing due to a career-ending injury in her youth. Mehta’s mother pressured him to focus on a more traditional career path following the footsteps of his father, Dr. George Mehta, played by senior Kevin Masih. When Monty Mehta is sent to the past using a time-travel machine created by Professor Patel, played by senior Janki Bava, it changes the trajectory of his life. 

Although the showcase was centered around South Asian cultures, students of various backgrounds performed. These dance and acapella groups pushed their talents ranging from elements of Bollywood, Kuthu and Hip-Hop to the classical dance forms of Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam and many others.

Some of the show’s guest performances came from Confidance, VIBE, VIDA and VIVID. From K-pop choreographies to Latin dance, each group had its own unique flair.

The fashion show also returned to TDS this year. Many students walked the runaway as they showed off traditional clothing of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, India and other cultures. The audience loudly cheered at the models as they added their unique styles to the stage.

Senior SACE members were celebrated as they performed a final last dance before gathering for a commemorative group photo. As tears and laughter filled the auditorium, the dancers joyfully ended yet another outstanding performance.

About the Contributors
Salma Elhandaoui
Salma Elhandaoui, Staff Writer and Photographer
Salma Elhandaoui (‘27) is from Brooklyn, N.Y., and is majoring in neuroscience and medicine, health and society and minoring in environmental and sustainability studies in the College of Arts and Science. When not writing for The Hustler, you can find her playing the guitar, writing endless poems, curating strange Spotify playlists and exploring the virtual world. She can be reached at [email protected].
Olivia Noell
Olivia Noell, Staff Photographer
Olivia Noell (‘25) is from Anniston, Ala., and is majoring in neuroscience, medicine, health and society and gender and sexuality studies in the College of Arts and Science. She enjoys hammocking, spending time with friends and trying new restaurants around Nashville. You can reach her at [email protected].
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