South Korea, China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Vietnam, Afghanistan and America. All separate countries with different cultures, different histories, different colors of people and flags — all of which
are coming together in the “Colors in Harmony” show.
“The name itself says colors of different countries are in harmony,” Kalanandini Mahanta, head of this year’s event, said. “The International Student Association is a mode to unify international students with domestic students.”
According to Mahanta, the countries mentioned (along with a few from Africa) will be the ones represented in the “Colors in Harmony” show taking place from 7-9 p.m. March 17 in the Student Center Auditorium.
“Colors in Harmony” is a two-part show. For a cost of $6 for students and
$8 for non-students, people of all different backgrounds are encouraged to come and experience a talent show with song and dance taken from different countries and cultures.
This will be followed by a fashion show displaying traditional clothes from other countries and cultures.
“ISA has been hosting this event since 1999. It’s an annual event for ISA,” Mahanta said.
For Mahanta, who grew up in Assam, India, this is a big step. She did the show last year but was not a volunteer. A few of her friends ran the show and she saw the hard work that was put into it.
“I started my school here in 2010, which was when I got to know ‘Colors of Harmony’,” Mahanta said. “But I could not participate because I was in one of the plays at Eastern. I was working there and both of them clashed.
“So the second time I had the chance I grabbed it. Me and my sister both, we performed a classical dance of India. This time we’re also going to perform. Even if I’m running the show, I just felt like I should perform as well.”
The dance Mahanta and her sister will perform this year is called
Bharatnatyam, and is from Tamilnadu in South India.
“The dance is famous all over the world, I would say,” she said. “I was trained [in the dance] when I was 5 or 6 years old.
“Last year, someone did perform ballet; she was from Taiwan. This year,
they’re going to have Caporals, a traditional Bolivian dance, a Sri Lanka song and I think a Spanish song. [There will be] 19 performances.”
This year the theme for ‘Colors and Harmony’ is ‘What’s Your Talent?’”
Last year’s theme was a spoof off of American Idol, which Mahanta called “really funny.”
“So this time with the theme ‘What’s Your Talent?’ we have some kind of a magical wizardry kind of a theme,” Mahanta said.
Even with the theme, the show has a force of its own.
“It’s a very traditional talent show. It’s to represent your country and show your country’s talent, and to teach your audience.
“The best part of working ‘Colors of Harmony’ is the team. Everyone is working very hard. I’ve been working with the most dedicated team. Everyone is creative and has different ideas. I’m not the only delegating, but when I do ask someone to do something they know how to do it.”
Mahanta reflected on her goals for this year’s show. She wants three things to result.
For one, she wants to promote “Colors of Harmony.”
Secondly, she wants to promote the ISA.
“There will be a survey simultaneously with the show because we want to know what was good and what to improve on and know how people hear about the show,” she said.
Lastly, Mahanta wants to bring together and lower the gap between international and domestic students.
“We are a mediator between the two,” she said.
