Students Present Kurdish Culture at Indian University

A group of Kurdish students performing a Kurdish dance at the University of Pune, India. Photo Rudaw.

INDIA -- As Kurdish students at the University of Pune in India danced to exuberant Kurdish music, those present in the venue moved in their seats and echoed the excitement.

The attendants representing different cultures were visibly impressed by the quick and rhythmic dance of the Kurdish group.

The Kurdish students could not appear in the festival representing Kurdistan as an independent state. They performed instead as the “Kurdish Group.”

As a public university, Pune only recognizes and allows students to represent independent nations.

The Kurdish students were part of the Iraqi students’ group but they were allowed to pin Kurdish flags on their chests.

Around 150 Kurdish students are enrolled at the University of Pune. They use similar cultural events to introduce Kurdish culture to the University’s student communities.

Tariq Hama Amin, a master’s student at Pune from Iraqi Kurdistan, told Rudaw, “We attend events with Kurdish costumes and the Kurdistan flag.”

In a country like India, with its diverse and rich cultures, it may be a hard task to impress people when it comes to dance. The country’s dance and entertainment industry has global appeal and reach.

But Kurdish students claim they have attracted a good deal of positive reaction.

Tubsheri Dibunkar, 21, is an Indian student who has become familiar with Kurdish dance and culture through Kurdish students.

He expresses his amazement with Kurdish dance and costumes.

“Kurds have beautiful music and culture,” said Dibunkar. “We were not initially friends with Kurdish students, but now we are good friends and cooperate with each other a lot.”

The staff and faculty are also interested in Kurdish culture.

At Bharati University, Dr. Patangro Kadam, the university president, said, “During my work here at the university, I have known many nations and cultures from around the world, but I am very happy with the Kurds and their dance group. And it’s not only me. I can see how positively the Kurdish dance and music group has been received.”