Here at Eastern Michigan University, we cross paths with people from all walks of life. It’s not uncommon to be sitting next to someone in class of a different race, ethnicity or religion, and what better way to showcase that than hosting a cultural talent show?
The EMU International Student Association will present Colors in Harmony Saturday from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium.
Spandana Yerubandi, vice president of marketing for ISA, said the event will be one big celebration
of cultural diversity.
“It is a talent show, so international students from different countries around the world will showcase their talent in their cultural dances, songs, etc.,” she said. “We even have a fashion show in which international students will be modeling the traditional clothes from their cultures. On the whole, students can expect two hours of world travel and entertainment.”
Yerubandi said the purpose of the event is to eradicate myopia and increase awareness in people with different customs and traditions than we’re used to.
“It is a window through which we show the world in all its beautiful colors beyond the narrow constraints of individualism and narrow-minded thinking toward humanism and global thinking,” she said. “Embracing people of all cultures and beliefs with the feeling of common brotherhood is what will make the world a better place to live in.”
This year marks the 15th anniversary for Colors in Harmony, but this is the first time health administration major Muneez Patel is participating in the event. Patel is from Pakistan and will be singing a song in his native language, Urdu, and performing a Bollywood-style dance with several friends.
Although this is Patel’s first time participating in the event, he’s no stranger to performing.
“Last year, in Colors in Harmony 2012, the emcee asked the audience if someone can sing,” Patel said. “Therefore, I sang a Pakistani song for a minute while being in the audience. I didn’t have any idea that the public would enjoy it so much … Because of their appreciation, I decided to participate in the show this year.”
Preparing for an event of such magnitude can be a little daunting, but for Patel, Saturday evening cannot arrive fast enough.
“I’m very excited about the moment I will be performing on the stage, because it will be the first time my parents will see me live, performing on stage,” he said. “They have never seen me performing live, neither in Pakistan nor in the United States. I’m looking forward to it.”
Yerubandi said events like Colors in Harmony are important to attend because it’s a chance for students to educate themselves about the various cultures of the world.
“Learning about diverse cultures will open doors for the individual into a new level of enlightened thinking,” she said. “Developing broad-minded and all-embracing thinking is very important for people, especially young people, as they are our future.”
Ticket prices range from $6 to $8 and can be purchased on www.emutix.com.
The event is also Learning Beyond the Classroom approved.
For more information, email ISA at isa@emich.edu.
