(Pranay Barua / Fourth Estate)

Bengali Patriots Association builds community on campus through dance, food

BY JUMMANA ALZAHRANI, STAFF WRITER

The Bengali Patriots Association at Mason lit up the campus with its “Disco Deewane” event on Nov. 6. 

The night was a vibrant mix of traditional Bengali culture and modern disco beats. Students from all backgrounds came together to dance, share food and celebrate community. 

According to the event’s organizers and dancers, the association is dedicated to creating a special space for everyone on campus.

For the association’s Vice President, Nusrat Amin, the main goal of the event is personal. 

“I would say it fills an important gap on campus for Bengali representation,” she said. She noted that Bengali culture can sometimes be overlooked in wider South Asian spaces, and the Bengali Patriots Association gives Bengali students a place to feel seen. 

Amin’s own journey with the club began at last year’s Disco Deewane event. 

“I went with a friend my first year, and then from there I got involved,” she said. 

The heart of the event’s unique style was in its dance performances. 

Mehek Azad, the dance lead, blends traditional moves with modern styles. She said the key is accessibility and expression. 

Azad uses easy-to-follow hip-hop steps and incorporates Bengali hand gestures called mudras. These mudras represent elements related to the body’s life force. She said the most important aspect, however, is the storytelling. 

“What’s really important in our dance style is that it’s very focused on the lyrical translation,” she said. “You’re reenacting the lyrics. So if it’s like ‘I see this girl,’ the actual move will be like the action of seeing somebody.” 

This approach honors the nuances of Bengali dance culture while also being welcoming to beginners. For the performers, this fusion is a powerful way to connect with their roots.

(Deenah Kamran / Fourth Estate)

Fareya Suzana, a dancer who is also part of a local South Asian dance group called DMV Taal, said the team often picks songs based on the nostalgia factor. 

“The newer [songs], I feel like they don’t really pay homage to our culture as much,” she said.

Choosing these well-loved songs helps the performances connect with people’s hearts and memories. 

“We also open our events to everyone else in the South Asian community, and other communities too,” Azad said.

The Bengali Patriots Association has also collaborated with other cultural clubs, including Latin student organizations. By bringing these different groups to the same stage, BPA ensured their events are a united campus-wide celebration.

After the music fades, the ultimate message BPA hopes students will take away from an event like Disco Dewanee boils down to a few core feelings. For Azad, it is about breaking down barriers.

“I always want people to believe anybody can dance,” she said. “Everybody can be involved, and it doesn’t have to be perfect.” 

For Amin, it is about sharing the comforts of home. 

“Our food is always banging at the events,” she said. “Especially for international students … You can have a slice of home right here.” 

The Bengali Patriots Association’s Disco Deewane is more than a single night of music and dance. It’s a dynamic and welcoming space where Bengali identity is not only preserved but joyfully shared, one dance step and one delicious plate of food at a time.