Suffolk University’s South Asian Student Association and Bollywood fusion dance team, Fusion Dhamaka, will bring the energy of a traditional South Asian wedding to campus this spring with their third annual Mock Shaadi.
The event is scheduled for April 16 in the Keches Room of Sargent Hall and will be free to all students. It will recreate the atmosphere of a South Asian wedding through performances, food and traditions. The celebration is intended to be both culturally authentic and welcoming to the broader campus community, according to the organizers.
Junior Vansh Khanna, the president of SASA, said the collaboration between the two groups dates back to his freshman year. At the time, SASA was still growing and lacked the experience and budget needed to host large events.
Khanna explained that many of the dancers on Fusion Dhamaka were already general members in SASA. As Fusion Dhamaka had more experience with big events like Fusion Fest, they knew how to put something together on a larger scale, which helped SASA reach more students.
Since then, the partnership has helped SASA expand its reach. According to Khanna, the organization has grown into one of the largest cultural clubs on campus.
The Mock Shaadi, or mock wedding, is modeled after the traditional multi-day celebrations common in many South Asian cultures. Khanna described the event as a “big fat Indian wedding,” filled with performances, food, activities and traditions between the bride and groom’s sides.
Traditionally, intricate henna designs are applied to the bride’s hands, arms and feet the day before the wedding, often with the groom’s name or initials hidden in the patterns. The groups will host a free henna night April 16 at 7 p.m. in the Stoll Room at Sawyer. Two henna artists will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Typically, Fusion Dhamaka represents the bride’s side while SASA represents the groom’s, but any student can participate by reaching out to the organizations. Nominations for the roles of bride and groom will be open Feb. 26–28 on both of the organizations’ Instagram pages.
For Khanna, the event carries a deeper meaning beyond the celebration itself. As an international student, he said events like Mock Shaadi can help students who feel homesick, while also introducing others to South Asian culture.
“In South Asian culture, a very big thing is for people to sit down together, to talk, to meet and to hang out,” said Khanna. “When the food comes in, the vibes are there and you’re being around people who enjoy celebrating what you’re doing, you start to feel like home.”
These cultural events are especially important to him as a student leader. He said it’s their responsibility to support Suffolk’s diverse community and create opportunities for students to experience new traditions. He added that the events reflect the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Senior Stuti Adhikari, president of Fusion Dhamaka, said Mock Shaadi allows the team to showcase both cultural traditions and the expressive style of Bollywood fusion dance.
Adhikari said the event will be structured like a South Asian wedding reception. As attendees enter, the room will be transformed into a festive celebration space. Fusion Dhamaka will open the evening with performances, followed by an intermission where guests can enjoy refreshments, use the photobooth and socialize.
After the break, the bride and groom will make their entrances, leading into additional performances from both sides and a joint dance. The night will conclude with dinner, dessert and an open dance floor.
Guests can expect a variety of South Asian foods, including a pani puri station, mango lassi, samosas, kebabs, butter chicken and more.
“We just want people to enjoy and see the culture and the work that goes behind a South Asian wedding,” said Adhikari. “We want other people to experience that culture and experience.”
She said the event reflects the team’s identity as a Bollywood fusion group, blending dance styles and music from across the Indian region. The performances emphasize expressive movements, colorful costumes and the “loud and powerful” music.
“Expression, attitude, flair, finesse,” she Adhikari. “When they see that you’re enjoying what you’re doing … then they start enjoying watching you dance.”
Adhikari said the performances are meant to give all attendees, whether familiar with the culture or not, a chance to experience it.
Both organizations emphasized that the event is open to everyone, regardless of cultural background. Students are encouraged to wear South Asian clothing; however, attendees are welcome to represent their own cultures through their traditional clothing as well.
The organizers’ biggest hope is simple: That students leave with good memories.
