The Seoul International Students Cultural festival, 2014

The Seoul International Students Cultural festival 2014 was held on June 22nd in Seoul organized by KISSA (Korea International Student Support Group). More than 80 countries had participated in this event portraying their respective cultures. Indian students who beautifully represented India were from different Korean universities in and around Seoul.Other members who participated were working professionals and people from the expatriate community. The performances were mostly dances, performed by women. There was also a solo Bharatnatyam performance performed by a seasoned professional dancer, which was greatly appreciated by the audience.
A group of ladies performed a traditional dance act with the song “Nagada Sang Dhol ...” from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s famous movie 'Ramleela'.
Attended by Indians of all ages, colors, height and width – this event was a nostalgic one. Amidst the crowd some said during the performances “Oh there’s nothing like our music, our tunes, our beats“ while few others said “only an Indian artist could wear all colors of the mother earth with such grace”. It was an open stage with no specific arrangements for seats. Visitors, journalists & cameramen just walked in and made themselves comfortable. The show started around 2pm and so did the rain after a while but people just kept walking in.
Though the unfamiliarity of the Indian Culture is rare, however others continue to get wooed by the breath of its diversity and the use of colors in our everyday life. Few of the other countries, which had actively participated in this program, were Peru, USA, Philippines, Ecuador, Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal, Guatemala, Russia etc.
The program was concluded by a couple fashion show from all the countries.
It was not until when I started to live outside India and travelling to different places I felt how highly placed and respected we are to other nationalities.
Though recently India had been infamous for its domestic issues related to safety and corruption, its tarnished image still has a lot of potential to pull up its drawbacks. Others actually see this country beyond this standing perception. There’s no place in this world devoid of loopholes. In this journey we hope that in all walks of life India will continue to reestablish itself as it has always done.