USF India Studies Center celebrates 1st anniversary with 50 performers

Posted Sep 10, 2010 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Sep 10, 2010 at 03:28 PM

A cast of dozens will converge on stage at USF on Sunday to tell the story of India’s cultural history through song, dance and visual presentations.

It’s called Chitram - A Portrait of India.

The occasion is the first anniversary of the USF Center for India Studies.

Chitram is the perfect way to celebrate the new center, which has taught students about the rich history of India and “provided a forum for academic exploration,” said director Gurleen Grewal.

The force behind the production is Kanniks Kannikeswaran, a composer and musicologist now at USF as an artist-in-residence.

“I want students to be a part of the Chitram experience. I want them to feel the energy and power of the music as an audience,” he said.

“I’ve been told in the past that for many it’s been a magical experience. I want to bring that magic to USF.”

The 80-minute production starts at 4:30 p.m. in the Oval Theater in the USF Marshall Center. For more information, go here.