On the evening of October 17, 2025, the Irvington courtyard transformed into a scene straight out of a Bollywood movie—strings of fairy lights, the scent of samosas and pizza, and music echoing from every corner. Irvington Indopak’s annual Bollywood Night brought together students from all grades for a night filled with food, dance, and celebration.
The event kicked off around 6:00 pm, as students filtered in to grab snacks, talk with friends, and sway along to songs like “Balam Pichkari” and “Sheila Ki Jawaani.” Once everyone settled, the performances began: starting with Natya, followed by IBC, Soor, and finally Sitaare. Each group brought a different style of South Asian dance, from energetic Bhangra to elegant classical choreography.
“It was really fun since this was our first performance of the year,” said Sanjana Abraham (12), captain of Irvington Bhangra Crew. “We have a lot of new members, mostly freshmen, and I feel like everybody’s already becoming close. Practices were full of laughter and inside jokes, and we bonded a lot just by hanging out and dancing together.”
Sanjana, who performed in her final Bollywood night before graduating, added, “Seeing all of my friends in the crowd and hearing everyone cheer was the best part. The energy this year was amazing.”
Behind the scenes, Indopak’s officer team worked for weeks to bring the event to life. “For the first time, we used a new ticketing system called Omella and collaborated with ASG to handle lighting, sound, and guest check-in,” explained Istasha Paul (12), co-president of Indopak. “There were around 65 dancers, so communication and logistics were a big part of making sure everything ran smoothly. Mr. Willer and ASG helped a ton with resources like sound equipment and lighting, which really elevated the event.”
Istasha noted that one of the main challenges was managing guest entry. “Usually people have to fill out a guest pass, which can be difficult for hundreds of attendees. This year, we worked with the administration to create a more efficient system that we’ll keep improving for future events,” she said.
As the night went on, the courtyard came alive with color, laughter, and dancing. Attendees jumped in during the mosh, turning the courtyard into a spontaneous dance party.
“I loved the music and the atmosphere,” said Anika Mangla (12). “It was such a good way to just relax and hang out with friends in the middle of senior-year stress. Everyone was just there to have fun—even people who don’t normally talk were dancing together.”
Amna Rahman (11) echoed that sentiment, saying she hopes to see “events like this for other cultures too,” highlighting how Bollywood Night has become not just a celebration of South Asian culture, but also a bridge between communities.
With dazzling performances, new collaborations, and record-high energy from the crowd, Bollywood Night proved once again why it’s one of Irvington’s most anticipated events of the year. A night that, as Istasha put it, let students “dance till their feet hurt and still want one more song.”
