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Awaaz: A Showcase of South Asian culture

Hundreds of students performed Dec. 2-3 in the Awaaz showcase. Photos by Jared Lazarus

Hundreds of students performed Dec. 2-3 in the Awaaz showcase. Pictured, Duke Raas, Duke’s premier raas-garba team, showcasing folk-style dances that originate from Gujarat in Western India. Photos by Jared Lazarus

Awaaz is Duke’s largest student-run production, hosted annually by Duke Diya — the South Asian students association. Hundreds of performers, choreographers and arrangers from 15 student groups put together new sets for the event to showcase South Asian culture, culminating in two nights of performances Dec. 2-3 before more than 2,000 people.

dancers showcase in Awaaz

student dancing at Awaaz

students show off their vocal talents

Defining Movement (DefMo), Duke’s premiere multicultural dance group, with a representation of the injustices women of all ages and backgrounds in South Asia face, including the painful realities of domestic violence and female infanticide.

The participating students groups were: First Year Dance; Deewana; Lasya; Community Dance; Duke Swing Dance Club; Duke Raas; Momentum; Dhamaka; Sangeet; On Tap; Nakisai; Sabrosura; Rhydhun; Defining Movement; and Senior Bhangra.

Photos by Jared Lazarus/University Communications