Rhythm India makes a stop at Popejoy Hall

On Thursday, Feb. 27, Popejoy Hall hosted a colorful performance of Indian music, featuring sparkly costumes and animated dancers.

The performance was directed and choreographed by Joya Kazi, an Indian American actress, dancer and choreographer, according to a Popejoy press release.

The performance involved Indian folk dancing, which is rooted in religious rituals that honor “local deities” and “prominent Gods in temples” throughout the country, according to the press release.

Kazi started her company, Joya Kazi Unlimited, in Los Angeles when she was 16 years old. 

She has been training dancers through her company for over 20 years, with clients and credits including Disney and Netflix, according to the Joya Kazi Entertainment website.

“The show honors the powerful legacy of traditional Indian dance,” the press release reads.

Dancers, both men and women, took turns and shared the stage, dancing to a variety of Indian music from different time periods.

Arup Maji, University of New Mexico professor emeritus in the Department of Civil Engineering, attended the show Thursday night.

“As a member of the UNM community for many decades, I have been exposed to many local Indian dance and music shows, a truly professional group stretches the imagination and raises awareness of what is possible,” he wrote to the Daily Lobo.

Maji was touched by the narrative that appeared between dances throughout the show, he wrote.

“The patronage of music and dance through many centuries of dominance of different religions and foreign influences on the culture of the Indian subcontinent is perhaps the binding force that has kept the region largely peaceful over my lifetime,” he wrote.

Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06

Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88 

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