Dress in a sari, tie a turban, dance the punjabi
Published on 09 August, 2005
Central Queenslanders will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in other cultures at the Central Queensland Multicultural Fair and CQU Rockhampton Open Day this Sunday, August 14.
Visitors will be able to learn how to put on a sari, tie a turban, play Indian-style cricket, learn to dance the Punjabi (Indian dance), learn Samoan dance and have the opportunity to get an African braid. These activities are all part of CQU International’s display in one of the tents near the main stage.
CQU International staff member and Masters student, Monika Singh will let you into the world of her culture and allow you to dress in one of her beautiful saris.
A sari makes a woman look graceful, stylish, elegant and sensuous. But it's important to drape a sari properly, as a clumsily draped sari spoils the whole appearance. Monika will show you some basic steps on how wear a sari properly.
Although Monika (a Fiji Islander) and her family have only been in Australia since 2001, she has had a long history with CQU.
Monika started her studies at CQU at the campus in Fiji, and since immigrating to Rockhampton, Australia, has continued her studies here. Her entire family – father, mother and brother – also enrolled in studies at CQU after arriving.
Monika’s father now practices as a chartered accountant, her brother has moved to the US to work as an accountant, and her mother has now completed her studies.
In an extraordinary event this October, the entire family will graduate with degrees from CQU.
The CQ Multicultural Fair and CQU Rockhampton Open Day promises international-flavoured entertainment including music from Sirocco, a group of German singers and bell ringers, local acoustic band Biorhythms, The Bushmill Band, Bangladeshi dancers, Aussie poet Lea Enchelmaier, MNA traditional folk dancers, line dancers and belly dancers.
For the children there will be a host of activities from the Faculty of Education and Creative Arts, The Rainbows and ABC’s Bob the Builder. Bob will perform at 12.55pm and 3pm.
The day’s events kick off at 10am and continue to 4pm.
CQ Multicultural Fair is a joint initiative between CQU and ABC Capricornia, with support from The Morning Bulletin.
Photo above: Monika Singh parades her beautiful sari, while Damanbir Singh Playia (Daman) shows off his turban.
Photo left: Daman makes his turban.