On Thursday, May 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Diversity and Intercultural Center (D&IC), Dil Se Desi made their presence known as one of the newest cultural clubs on campus with a Bollywood Chai Night.Co-presidents sophomores Mahek Rewani and Ivanah Rajwani spoke on their passion project.
“We like to say Dil Se Desi, which is in Hindi and Urdu, and the English translation [is] ‘desi by heart,’” Rewani explained. “When thinking of names, we wanted to stick with the word ‘desi’ because we felt like it’s a word which defines us […] And we added the ‘dil se’ because we didn’t want to constrain people into people who came here as international, but everyone who identifies, connects or just feels [like they] belong to the culture.”
Similar to Rewani, Rajwani desires “to bring the spirit and joy of South Asian culture to center stage.”
According to Rajwani, the club’s events are open to the public and aim to showcase their cultures and represent the South Asian diaspora to the best of their ability. She hopes people can experience the beauty of South Asian culture for both Desi and non-Desi people. Furthermore, Rajwani describes, “There are a lot of stereotypes, misrepresentations and appropriations of our culture out in media, with ‘chai tea’, ‘naan bread,’ and now, ‘Ibiza style clothes’ and ‘Scandanavian scarves,’ and, unfortunately, so much more.”
Rajwani expresses Dil Se Desi aims to broaden the conversation about South Asian culture.
“You don’t have to wait for someone to create a place of belonging, nor do you have to think that it has to be something that other people value,” Rewani emphasized. “Just focus on what you are able to bring to the community and your happiness.”