At a glance
Desi Dhamaka is a student run South Asian cultural showcase that we hold annually. Our mission is to demonstrate our pride in… Read full summary
- Funding received
- 2024-2025
- Small
- Awarded
- $5,000
- Funding partners
-
- Services and Activities Fee (SAF)
Desi Dhamaka is a student run South Asian cultural showcase that we hold annually. Our mission is to demonstrate our pride in South Asian culture and celebrate its diversity by providing a stage for students to show the time and hard work they have spent learning diverse performing arts. Our event consists of lively dance performances, informative skits, and vibrant singing. This year, our event is being hosted on April 26th in Meany Hall. We hope to use the CSF funding we receive towards our booking at Meany Hall. Through this showcase, we hope to make steps towards contributing to the overall cultural ideology that exists at UW. Our showcase generally brings in students, parents, alumni and many from the Seattle community. We hope that those who attend not only come to support friends, family, etc., but also come to learn more about the cultural significance that many of these art forms hold. As already mentioned, many of our performers have been practicing these various arts for years and we believe that providing this stage allows performances to be honored in a proper way. Furthermore, it is important to note that many of these performances are also a mix of both traditional and modern styles. This amalgamation is significant and should be highlighted as it brings to the light the importance of preserving centuries old tradition while incorporating modern day credo into breathtaking performances.
Desi Dhamaka is a student run South Asian cultural showcase that we hold annually. Our mission is to demonstrate our pride in South Asian culture and celebrate its diversity by providing a stage for students to show the time and hard work they have spent learning diverse performing arts. Our event consists of lively dance performances, informative skits, and vibrant singing. This year, our event is being hosted on April 26th in Meany Hall. We hope to use the CSF funding we receive towards our booking at Meany Hall. Through this showcase, we hope to make steps towards contributing to the overall cultural ideology that exists at UW. Our showcase generally brings in students, parents, alumni and many from the Seattle community. We hope that those who attend not only come to support friends, family, etc., but also come to learn more about the cultural significance that many of these art forms hold. As already mentioned, many of our performers have been practicing these various arts for years and we believe that providing this stage allows performances to be honored in a proper way. Furthermore, it is important to note that many of these performances are also a mix of both traditional and modern styles. This amalgamation is significant and should be highlighted as it brings to the light the importance of preserving centuries old tradition while incorporating modern day credo into breathtaking performances.
Maisha Sinha
Project lead
- msinha21@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Desi Dhamaka
Liyana Shah
Team member
- lshah@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 0 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Desi Dhamaka
Navaneet Girikumar
Team member
- navgiri9@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Desi Dhamaka
Sarah Wilke
Senior Director of Operations and Planning
- skwilke@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- Faculty; Meany Center for the Performing Arts
Request amount and budget
Plans for financial longevity
We hope to pay Meany Hall with the funds we receive from CSF and other sources as well. Once all our funding ends, we plan to use the revenue we earn from selling tickets to fund the rest. If we have funds leftover, we will be putting them towards our event next year.
We have currently booked Meany Hall for our specific project. Currently, we are procuring funding through various facets at UW. We plan to host a fundraiser early next quarter and we are currently waiting for the other funds we had applied for to get back to us.
Plans for long-term project management
Once our current presidents graduate, we hope to continue the legacy of Desi Dhamaka through the other members that are currently a part of the RSO. Every single member of the RSO currently is committed to Desi Dhamaka and have put in the work to successfully execute this event. Furthermore, every single student is willing to put in the time and effort to continue to make sure that Desi Dhamaka endures into future years. Finally, every one on the team knows the extremely positive impact that Desi Dhamaka has and will continue to have on performers, the UW community and the Seattle community as a whole.
Problem statement
Desi Dhamaka was started as a way for students to experience the versatility that exists throughout South Asian culture at UW. Take for example UW Kahaani, an RSO at UW that embraces modern day South Asian dance. On the other hand, there also exists UW Natya which prides itself on trained classical dances that are rooted in tradition. We, as one, have agreed that it is important for students to feel closer to their roots by encouraging them to support those who have put in the time and effort to dedicate themselves to their chosen art. Through Desi Dhamaka, we believe not only will this be made possible but also, it will inspire others to also show off their interests and take part in these performances by joining the clubs in the future.
Problem context
Currently UW has over 15 different RSOs that each individually supports a different facet of South Asian culture. We wanted to provide a space which would collectively bring together all these different arts. By uniting all these groups under a singular event, we hope to foster a sense of collaboration and cultural unity in the UW community.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrate the diversity of South Asian culture by providing a stage for performers to showcase their performing arts | 700 people engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Provide a space for students to encourage and support their friends and family | 500 students engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate |
| Educate the UW community about South Asian culture and local South Asian businesses that support a variety of different causes | 550 people engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni |
Communication tactics and tools
Our main communication is through our social media (Instagram) where we not only post about our event but also raise awareness and highlight other important South Asian RSOs. We also table at the RSO fair and sell tickets in Red Square to tell more people about Desi Dhamaka. Finally, each one of the participating RSOs also have their own student support which we leverage as well.
Outreach communication plan
Each one of our performances highlights a different part of South Asian culture. To traditional bharatanatyam to more modern day hip-hop and kuthu, each of the performances shares a different message that is communicated through music, intricate dances and thoughtful skits. We hope that every single person in the audience, whether it be a student, professor, or just someone from the Seattle community, leaves Desi Dhamaka with a new found perspective of South Asian culture.
Student involvement
Our project is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable leadership and communication skills that can be applicable in professional development. There is an aspect of mentorship and volunteering involved though learning skills connected to contacting and building relationships with sponsors, venues, and other organizations. Furthermore, during the event we have many opportunities for volunteering and service. We hope to help teach our members these skills so they can later employ them in their careers and lives.
Problem statement
Desi Dhamaka was started as a way for students to experience the versatility that exists throughout South Asian culture at UW. Take for example UW Kahaani, an RSO at UW that embraces modern day South Asian dance. On the other hand, there also exists UW Natya which prides itself on trained classical dances that are rooted in tradition. We, as one, have agreed that it is important for students to feel closer to their roots by encouraging them to support those who have put in the time and effort to dedicate themselves to their chosen art. Through Desi Dhamaka, we believe not only will this be made possible but also, it will inspire others to also show off their interests and take part in these performances by joining the clubs in the future.
Problem context
Currently UW has over 15 different RSOs that each individually supports a different facet of South Asian culture. We wanted to provide a space which would collectively bring together all these different arts. By uniting all these groups under a singular event, we hope to foster a sense of collaboration and cultural unity in the UW community.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrate the diversity of South Asian culture by providing a stage for performers to showcase their performing arts | 700 people engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Provide a space for students to encourage and support their friends and family | 500 students engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate |
| Educate the UW community about South Asian culture and local South Asian businesses that support a variety of different causes | 550 people engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni |
Communication tactics and tools
Our main communication is through our social media (Instagram) where we not only post about our event but also raise awareness and highlight other important South Asian RSOs. We also table at the RSO fair and sell tickets in Red Square to tell more people about Desi Dhamaka. Finally, each one of the participating RSOs also have their own student support which we leverage as well.
Outreach communication plan
Each one of our performances highlights a different part of South Asian culture. To traditional bharatanatyam to more modern day hip-hop and kuthu, each of the performances shares a different message that is communicated through music, intricate dances and thoughtful skits. We hope that every single person in the audience, whether it be a student, professor, or just someone from the Seattle community, leaves Desi Dhamaka with a new found perspective of South Asian culture.
Student involvement
Our project is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable leadership and communication skills that can be applicable in professional development. There is an aspect of mentorship and volunteering involved though learning skills connected to contacting and building relationships with sponsors, venues, and other organizations. Furthermore, during the event we have many opportunities for volunteering and service. We hope to help teach our members these skills so they can later employ them in their careers and lives.
Problem statement
Desi Dhamaka was started as a way for students to experience the versatility that exists throughout South Asian culture at UW. Take for example UW Kahaani, an RSO at UW that embraces modern day South Asian dance. On the other hand, there also exists UW Natya which prides itself on trained classical dances that are rooted in tradition. We, as one, have agreed that it is important for students to feel closer to their roots by encouraging them to support those who have put in the time and effort to dedicate themselves to their chosen art. Through Desi Dhamaka, we believe not only will this be made possible but also, it will inspire others to also show off their interests and take part in these performances by joining the clubs in the future.
Problem context
Currently UW has over 15 different RSOs that each individually supports a different facet of South Asian culture. We wanted to provide a space which would collectively bring together all these different arts. By uniting all these groups under a singular event, we hope to foster a sense of collaboration and cultural unity in the UW community.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrate the diversity of South Asian culture by providing a stage for performers to showcase their performing arts | 700 people engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Provide a space for students to encourage and support their friends and family | 500 students engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate |
| Educate the UW community about South Asian culture and local South Asian businesses that support a variety of different causes | 550 people engaged | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni |
Communication tactics and tools
Our main communication is through our social media (Instagram) where we not only post about our event but also raise awareness and highlight other important South Asian RSOs. We also table at the RSO fair and sell tickets in Red Square to tell more people about Desi Dhamaka. Finally, each one of the participating RSOs also have their own student support which we leverage as well.
Outreach communication plan
Each one of our performances highlights a different part of South Asian culture. To traditional bharatanatyam to more modern day hip-hop and kuthu, each of the performances shares a different message that is communicated through music, intricate dances and thoughtful skits. We hope that every single person in the audience, whether it be a student, professor, or just someone from the Seattle community, leaves Desi Dhamaka with a new found perspective of South Asian culture.
Student involvement
Our project is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable leadership and communication skills that can be applicable in professional development. There is an aspect of mentorship and volunteering involved though learning skills connected to contacting and building relationships with sponsors, venues, and other organizations. Furthermore, during the event we have many opportunities for volunteering and service. We hope to help teach our members these skills so they can later employ them in their careers and lives.