The number of Indian students and researchers at Taiwan Tech is increasing, and so is the visibility of Indian culture on our campus. While cultural events at dance-crazy Taiwan universities often feature Korean pop-culture inspired performances, the Taiwan Tech Indian Cultural Association staged a completely different event: The “Rock on Dandiya” festival on 17 October 2020 centered around Dandiya Raas, a socio-religious folk dance originating from the Indian state of Gujarat, where men and women group together in large circles and dance with decorated sticks. 

More than 120 Taiwan Tech staff and students from different countries joined the event which was opened by Professor I-Tung Yang, Chairman of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, in a real puja ceremony with flowers and the lighting of diyas, traditional oil lamps. Rock-on Dandiya did not only feature dance competitions, but also authentic Indian food, games, and the Taiwanese-Bollywood beats program, a cultural fusion experience where Taiwan popular music met Indian Bollywood tunes. 

This first Rock on Dandiya- Festival was a very special cultural event and a joyful experience, so everybody is already looking forward to the 2021 edition of Rock-on Dandiya!