Dance, drums, poetry, and voice took centre stage at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) Surrey campus this week at the university’s first South Asian Arts Festival.
The two-hour event featured performances from dozens of students and alumni in bhangra dance, dhol drumming, singing and poetry readings.
“This is an incredibly meaningful way for students and the entire university community to come together to celebrate South Asian arts. We hope to make this an annual event and grow the festival’s presence at KPU to showcase and celebrate a vibrant culture many KPU students share,” says Dr. Asma Sayed, festival co-organizer and Canada Research Chair in South Asian Literary and Cultural Studies in KPU’s department of English.
The festival took place March 23 and follows a successful South Asian arts event at KPU Langley last year, in which students performed bhangra and dhol with guidance from artist-in-residence and dhol player Des Raj.
Many of the featured performers were students of festival co-organizer Gurpreet Sian, who teaches the KPU course introduction to bhangra dance, as well as the global drumming and cultural expression course this semester. Sian has served as instructor for KPU’s bhangra course since its launch in 2016.
“Introduction to bhangra offers KPU students a unique opportunity to learn this energetic and lively dance form. The South Asian Arts Festival allows students to demonstrate their creative talents and learn through performance,” says Sian.
Faculty of Arts dean Dr. Shelley Boyd says the festival is an example of interdisciplinary collaboration, student engagement and experiential learning at KPU.
“This event exemplifies the true magic and principles that lie at the heart of the faculty of arts,” says Boyd. “Most importantly today’s event honours the heart of our Surrey community and beyond by celebrating the creative practices and diverse expressions of South Asian artists.”
Funding and support for the South Asian Arts Festival is provided by the President's Diversity and Equity Committee at KPU, Faculty of Arts, Office of the Provost, and the Canada Research Chair Program.
