The vibrant lights in the auditorium switched on as a thunderstorm of applause welcomed the performers at this year’s NASHA show. NASHA of Culture, a South-Asian heritage club at the Bronx High School of Science, gives an annual performance of a series of choreographed dances that embodies South-Asian culture. Nasha, a word of Hindu/ Urdu origin, means “intoxication.” The NASHA of Culture group captured the essence behind the idea of being “intoxicated” by culture through dancing; their rhythm, expressive movements, and evident appreciation for the culture made this year’s performance truly unforgettable. 

At 3:30 on June 16th, 2025, dancers streamed in from the auditorium’s main doors wearing their elegant outfits. The girls wore skirts and shirts adorned with intricate embroidery and detailing, while the boys wore kurtas of various colors and designs. One by one, they made it to the stage and walked up its steps. The stage itself was decorated beautifully. Gold balloons lined the downstage area, and the upstage wall was decorated with bubbly letter balloons reading ‘NASHA.’ The second that the dancers had entered the auditorium, the audience knew that they were in for an incredible performance.

At around 3:45, the dances commenced. There were roughly a dozen dances, each composed of one or more performers dancing elegantly across the stage. Everything was choreographed to perfection; each dance move moved fluidly into the next. With each twist, each turn, and each pose, the performers danced from their hearts, their emotions playing into the gracefulness of their movements. It was clear that the members of the NASHA of Culture group weren’t just dancing because they had to; they were dancing because they had a passion for what they were doing. This made the NASHA of Culture show more than just a performance; it was a celebration of culture, identity, and belonging.

As Adrita Risha ’25, a board member of the NASHA of Culture group said, “NASHA means community. At a school like Bronx Science, where academics and individual success are at the forefront, it’s easy to forget how beneficial it is to grow and learn alongside others. I’ve heard people, even fellow South Asians, say this club isn’t ‘worth it’ because it’s not academic, or that celebrating your culture is somehow cringey. It makes me wonder why we’re so quick to distance ourselves from our roots and dismiss spaces that bring us joy and connection. In the end, NASHA has shown me that community shapes us, and without it, we are not much of anything.”