Marriotts Ridge High School hosted Desi Night, a Desi-themed homecoming on November 9th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, inviting students from across Howard County to experience the traditions, music and culture of South Asia. The event brought together students from various backgrounds, creating an inclusive space for cultural exchange.
“The preparations were stressful. We had to take a lot of calls and met a lot in person with the other board members, especially toward the end, but I think we did well with the event,” said junior Hansini Muthu, a board member of the South Asian Club.
The event took place throughout the first floor, in the cafeteria, commons and gym. The cafeteria had traditional Desi food and drinks, along with some non-Desi options. In the commons, performances from the bollywood dance club took place, and a photobooth for all to enjoy. In the gym, performances from the South Asian Club occurred, followed by a DJ.
The DJ mainly played Desi songs, with some English songs to cater to all audiences. Many people of other ethnicities attended the event and were able to enjoy just as much, even borrowing Desi clothes from their friends to dress up. People were able to stay included in the culture this way and express themselves in a fun way. While it was not required, Desi Night was an opportunity for those wh do not wear Desi clothes often to try it out.
“I did dress up. I really liked the clothes and I thought everyone was dressed really well. I borrowed my clothes from my friend,” senior Natalie Shin stated.
In the cafeteria, many different options for food and drinks were available. Along with samosas and chai, there was also curry, rice, chicken, sweets and mango lassi. Water and pizza were also available as an alternate option.
“I really enjoyed the rice and the chicken. There were a lot of good options,” Shin said.
The performances by the Bollywood Dance Club and the South Asian Club were a fun sight for all attendees. The choreography took hours of practice and ultimately ended up being one of the highlights of the event.
“I really enjoyed performing for Desi Night, as it allowed me to indulge in my passion for dance… I practiced for an hour each day starting the Monday before Desi Night,” senior Sanya Gupta said.
Following the performances, Desi and English songs were played by the DJ in the gym for people to dance to.
“I liked all the dancing and I liked the music, it had a good variety of songs,” Shin claimed.
Reflecting on ways to improve, Muthu noted the need for better communication, “We didn’t realize the school had some of the supplies we needed, so we ended up buying extra. Next time, we’ll make sure to coordinate better,” she explained.
Desi night at MRHS was a demonstration of how cultural events can bring students together, regardless of their backgrounds, and to celebrate and learn from each other in a meaningful way. Though there are a few changes that need to be made for next year, overall Desi Night has been said to be a successful event.