PITTSBURGH (PTTP) — On April 8, students from around the country came to Pitt’s campus to compete at Dhirana, Pitt’s annual Indian classical dance competition. Dhirana has been a facet to Pitt clubs since 2012 and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Co-director of the competition and Pitt junior Yamini Yepuri says that Dhirana is more than a dance competition, but philanthropy as well. “Every year, we raise money for the Birmingham Free Clinic of Pittsburgh, which provides free medical care to the underinsured and uninsured. Right now, we’re trying to donate at least $7,000.”
Dhirana is a multi-faceted club, as it exposes the Pitt community to classical Indian arts and younger Indian children who are learning this art form and how they can pursue it in college. Yepuri emphasized, “It’s to spread goodness in our community in general. To the Pitt students, to kids, and to the Birmingham Free Clinic.”
Schools including Tufts University, the Ohio State University, and Purdue University were all represented at Dhirana this past weekend. Yepuri said, “This is what it’s all about. We are meeting new people, forming connections, and helping each other continue to put out classical arts at our respective schools. We are sharing our love for art, and it’s obviously working.”
While Dhirana brings together schools across the country, relationships are being formed within the club here at Pitt. “I’ve found some of my best friends here,” Yepuri said, “There are so many people interested in this niche area of arts and helping the community. It’s cool that we can come together and keep that up. Everyone who joins the club is so passionate, and that allows us to work towards our goals.”