A Celebration of Culture

By NSoJ Bureau

The National School of Journalism (NSoJ) was transformed into a riot of colours and cultures last week. It was Ethnic Day at the college and all the students came dressed to impress and of course, showcase their ethnic and cultural backgrounds!

Ethnic day celebrated the amalgamation of different cultures, with the enthusiastic participation of both the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students. While most of the girls wore sarees, some of the boys chose to don traditional attire. For instance, a student from UG first year, Pavan, came in Koala costume, complete with headgear and a tiny sharp dagger called peaches katti. Pagan’s classmate, Surya, came in a kurta-dhoti, Bengali style. Anuj, another first year, represented Marathi tradition through his lungi (a type of sarong) paired with a formal shirt.

Unity in diversity

Students from different parts of the country were invited to present unique facts about their home states and what their cultural identity means to them. They were encouraged to first speak in their mother tongue and then provide an English translation for their audience. Subham, a PG student, presented a video about Kolkata, the cultural hub of India. He talked about the Bengali community and his love for the Bengali language. This was followed by a Bengali duet by first years, Surya and Upamanyu. Surya also performed an Assamese song later. Anuj then gave an impassioned speech about the Marathi community and Mumbai. He ended his speech by declaring, ‘Jai Maharashtra’. Later, a mixed group of first and second years, comprising Risheek, Sanskriti, Utkarshini and Mihika spoke about Rajasthan. Priya Chakrabarty, a second year UG student did not speak, she danced to a medley of songs in Hindi and Bengali.

The largest contingent of students, naturally, belonged to Karnataka. The Kannadiga presentation had a video on the verdant beauty of the state. PG students Hita, Sneha and Durga Prasad stressed how their home state truly encompasses the tagline ‘one state, many worlds’. Later, Rama, a first year UG student, spoke about Tamil Nadu. This was followed by a short address in which Timothy Franklyn, Chairman of NSoJ expressed his pride in being a Tamilian. “I first identify myself as a Tamil, then an Indian. I take pride in both identities,” he stated.

The programme was hosted by Risheek and Mahati, from UG first and second year, respectively. Fittingly, the event ended with the diverse group of students all singing the National Anthem.