social and cultural
   Introduction -about SAS's social and cultural side.
   Current events -upcoming events and ideas.
   Cultural resources -links and materials
   Related groups -SASY, HPG, Shakti, SAFS, YSOSAD
South Asian Culture and Society at Yale
   The South Asian Society's mission includes fostering increased cultural awareness, information, and appreciation amongst all members of the Yale and New Haven community. It also seeks to improve social ties among the South Asian community in the area. It achieves its cultural goals in many ways, through cultural shows, literary pieces, film screenings, classical vocal and instrumental concerts, classical dance lessons, outings to classical dance festivals, and much more. SAS, along with many of its affiliate groups accomplishes much in this field. SAS also hosts a variety of social events, including socials, studybreaks, and house parties. What we're trying to tell you is, SAS is a good time.
•Organization
   SAS's perennial social and cultural events are organized, directed and run by a social and cultural chair, elected annually. This year's chairs are:
 
Social Chair: Kalindi Winfield MC '08
Cultural Chair: Ruchita Poddar JE '09

   SAS takes pride in its ability to be dynamic. Its members often begin their own projects, which SAS strongly encourages, and will do its best to support. In the past, as we have said, students have begun a speaker series, a literary magazine, and a film series. It is the initiative of students like you that has made SAS the force it is today. Please share your initiatives with us and add to the richness of the South Asian community here!
Current events
   The SAS calendar is continuously updated with social and cultural event notices. Look at it for information about any upcoming SAS or South Asian-related event. Descriptions and photos of previous events can be found on the past events calendar.
   SAS's nearest upcoming event is its annual Diwali dinner and cultural show. "Roshni" is usually held in November and celebrates the South Asian holiday of Diwali, which has come to be accepted as a universal day with a spirit of kinship and togetherness. This year, Diwali was on October 26th, and SAS recently held a Diwali celebration to commemorate the day. It will be celebrated SAS-style, this Friday, November 10!
   The cultural dinner is a fully-catered Indian feast. The cost of admission covers an all-you-can-eat buffet and the following cultural show. The cultural shows showcase art forms from all over South Asia, including Bharatnatyam, Kathak, and Odissi classical dances; North Indian classical music ensembles; fusion dances coupling African and South Asian dance styles; garba and raas performances; classical song performances; and of course, energetic bhangra dances.
   The content of the show is determined by SAS and community members, who are encouraged to participate in, choreograph, or direct acts of their own choosing. If you are interested in going to or being a part of "Roshni," please contact the SAS Social/Cultural chairs.
Cultural resources
Coming soon...

Related groups
   "Social" and "Cultural" encompass quite a lot, and two chairs cannot cover every event here that deals with South Asian culture and society...ten chairs probably couldn't either. Thankfully, there are many extracurricular organizations who have similar goals: to proliferate South Asian culture, or to improve social ties amongst South Asians. Check below for some of thoese groups.

•SASY
    South Asianist Speakers at Yale (SASY) is a two year old program created by South Asian students at Yale that brings varied speakers to campus to speak on topics related to South Asia; all events are open to the public.  SASY speaker talks are always posted on the SAS calendar.

•Shakti: A South Asian Experience
    "Shakti" is a literary magazine founded in fall 1999, whose pages explore a variety of themes exploring the many facets of South Asia. Issues come out on a semesterly basis, and any and all are welcome to submit their articles.

•South Asian Film Series
    The South Asian Film Series was begun in spring 1999. Sparked by an interest in contemporary and classic South Asian movies, this group shows a South Asian film, sometimes with political or cultural underlays, or sometimes just an asinine Bollywood blockbuster. New management is coming soon, and the film reels will begin anew! If you are interested in SAFS, click the web link, or contact Nilanj Desai.