SEALA 1, DAY 4 PART II
It's a chance to make connections across borders in new ways, and rediscover common ties stronger than the vagaries of news headlines that divide us.
Prisicillia introduces the group to Indonesia's wildly popular dangdut music, and teaches the corresponding dance.
The Culture Exchange evening, held at the Fisherman's Cove beach resort, is an opportunity to share history, culture and traditions, and to cement understanding among SEALA's leaders of their regional identities.
It's a chance to make connections across borders in new ways, and rediscover common ties stronger than the vagaries of news headlines that divide us.
It's chance for Burmese to turn into Indians...
... and for Americans to turn into Germans...
Finally, it's an opportunity to find out, at last, what in the world the Indian team has been working on in secret for the last three days.
We commence with a stunning fashion parade, exhibiting the traditional costumes of different Indian states.
The Americans celebrate the multiplicity of ethnic streams that have flowed together to make up their modern nation:
Last of the Mohicans.
The Russian-Irish connection.
The croissant-champagne connection.
The great community of Indian Americans.
Indian meets Indian.
A most educational monologue on Malaysians, and how to distinguish them from Singaporeans.
The Malaysian team (with a little help from Kyrgyzstan) re-enact a traditional betrothal ceremony.
Prisicillia introduces the group to Indonesia's wildly popular dangdut music, and teaches the corresponding dance.
Hey, not as easy as it looks!
No way as complex, though, as the astonishing sophistication of Javanese dance, demonstrated by move-master Agustinus.
Mike conducts a mind-bending, tongue twisting, ear-destroying lesson on Singlish (Singaporean English dialect). Dun worry, you can one lah. Say it arh! Dun know oreddy lah!
The Pakistani team deeply move the whole company in mind and soul, when they open the door to a magical world of Sufi-infused Urdu poetry and music.
The SEALA Chennai Express Dancers take their positions for a whirligig of color and energy: the Lungi Dance!
Bollywood, eat your heart out.
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