The American-Indo Student Association hosted its annual Silsilay showcase in the auditorium on the evening of March 14. Fusing hip-hop, Bollywood and Indian classical styles, eighteen dance teams from across the Bay Area gathered in an energetic celebration of South Asian art forms.
Between performances, emcees elicited laughter with a murder mystery plotline. The tale riffed on modern South Asian culture, including references to mango lassi and high-achieving startup founders. Shimmering in lehengas, kurtas and other traditional clothing, audience members grabbed snacks like samosas and papdi chaat from food trucks during intermission.
“It was nice seeing all the familiar faces in the crowd,” senior, emcee and Jalwa dancer Samay Sikri said. “My favorite memory was the end when, after everything’s done, everyone’s cheering. It’s really loud, and you can’t hear anything but the audience — you’re immersed in it.”
In the evening, Jalwa’s highly-awaited performance concluded the showcase with a bang. Per tradition, AISA seniors received heartfelt speeches and posters that marked their impact on the club’s remaining members. They were also surprised with bouquets from Class of 2023 alumna and former captain Aneesha Jobi.
“I’m really happy that we were actually able to pull off that surprise by bringing on their freshman captain, which we kept secret for two to three months,” junior and Jalwa junior captain Tia Somadder said. “I think the senior posters were the sweetest. They’re kind of sad, but I feel like we made them proud.”
All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the India Literacy Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers children in India with career skills.
View the full photo gallery at bit.ly/silsilay-2026.
