Since the 1930s, Bollywood, or Hindi cinema, has played a key role in shaping Indian culture, blending modern music with traditional dances. Amador Valley’s Bollywood Night, organized by the Indian Culture Club (ICC), embraces this cultural tradition.
ICC’s Planning and Support
“We had the help of our advisors and chaperones to come up with tonight. We were also familiar with the procedure from other classes. Mrs. Durban was there the entire time, and my friends from other clubs were there the entire time. They taught us how to take money out of our accounts and the normal procedural things,” said AV ICC President Navya Khare (‘25)
A big event like this took a lot of intricate planning, but AV ICC’s leadership and guidance allowed them to make Bollywood Night a reality.
“Honestly, we didn’t fundraise too much. We just booked the gym–which didn’t cost us any money–and used things that we already had or given to us by the school like the speakers and lights,” said Khare.
A Night to Remember
Thanks to the ICC, many students enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, dancing to Bollywood music and celebrating Indian culture. Some students who attended the Bollywood Dance Night shared their experiences and why they chose to come.
“I came tonight because a lot of my friends were going, but also because I think it’s a good way to stay connected to [my] heritage and Indian roots. It was a great way to celebrate my heritage with a lot of my peers with an event like this,” said Bollywood Night attendee Riya Trivedi (‘25).
ICC’s Legacy at Amador
The ICC has been a vital part of Amador for the last decade. From meetings that focused on customs and holidays to large-scale events like Bollywood Night, the club has consistently enriched students’ understanding of Indian traditions. Since its roots, there have been some changes to the structure of the club.
“I know last year, too, they had really interactive and fun meetings. Again, it was super centered around Indian culture and holidays, which taught us a lot. Because India is such a big place, with it comes a lot of cultures and customs. ICC taught us some potential ways different cultures celebrate their specific customs through clothes, food, etc,” said Trivedi.
ICC’s future aspirations
ICC officers shared personal anecdotes about their experiences and future aspirations for the club.
“When I joined the Indian Culture Club as a member, I really enjoyed their activities during access and lunch. This is our biggest event yet. It’s our first time doing something like this, and it’s the first time Amador Valley has had a Bollywood Night, and we were really excited to see how it went,” said ICC Secretary Avi Marwah (‘26).
Marwah shares where aspiring attendees can get information about future events.
“Right now, we are planning on doing stuff for Holi and Diwali. You could follow our Instagram @av.icc to see our future events,” said Marwah.
