Rangisari Pub Night brings Bollywood music and Holi spirit to The Blind Duck
UTMSU, ISA, and U of T Bollywood hosted a cultural dance event celebrating South Asian music and community.
On March 6, students gathered at The Blind Duck for Rangisari Pub Night, an event hosted by the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU), the UTM Indian Students Association (ISA), and U of T Bollywood. The event was an opportunity for students to celebrate South Asian music and culture through an evening of dancing, music, and socialising.
Approximately 50 students attended throughout the night as the pub’s regular drink menu remained available, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Music from inside the venue was audible throughout the Student Centre as attendees arrived, with Bollywood songs playing loudly before students even entered the pub.
Inside, multicoloured lighting illuminated the space, reflecting the vibrant aesthetic often associated with Holi, the South Asian spring festival known for its celebration of colour and community. Often referred to as the “festival of colours,” Holi marks the arrival of spring and is traditionally celebrated with music, dancing, and the throwing of coloured powders.
Students arrived dressed for the occasion, with some wearing traditional South Asian clothing such as kurtas, long tunic-style shirts often worn by men, and lehengas, colourful embroidered skirts typically worn for festive occasions, while others opted for more casual attire. Decorations were relatively minimal, but a colourful photobooth allowed attendees to take pictures throughout the evening.
The main attraction of the night was the dance floor. A DJ began playing music to kick off the evening’s proceedings, mixing older Bollywood classics from artists such as Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar with more recent releases from performers like Arijit Singh and Badshah. Students quickly gathered near the front room, dancing and singing along as the playlist progressed.
Although the event did not feature games or stage performances, the dance floor remained active for much of the night. Students appeared engaged with the music, cheering when familiar songs played and encouraging others to join the crowd.
One event organizer from ISA explained that the goal of Rangisari Pub Night was to create a welcoming environment where students could enjoy music and social connections. “The target audience is essentially anyone who likes to dance,” he said. “We wanted to create a space where people can come together, have fun, and enjoy the music.”
He explained that the event was designed to reflect the energy of Holi celebrations. “It’s a Holi-based event,” he said. “We wanted to bring that kind of energy and atmosphere to campus.”
The organizer also noted that events like this are particularly important at the Mississauga campus. He explained that South Asian cultural programming tends to be more visible at U of T’s St. George campus, where the larger ISA and Bollywood communities regularly host events. Creating similar spaces at UTM helps build a stronger cultural presence for students. “Most South Asian events happen at St. George,” he said. “We wanted to create something like that here at UTM, so people can come together and enjoy the culture.
For many students attending, events like Rangisari Pub Night provide an opportunity to experience cultural celebrations while studying at university.
Ananya Pandey, a second-year life sciences and international student from India, said that gatherings like this help recreate aspects of cultural celebrations that students may miss while living away from home. “Events like this help me connect with more people,” she said. “Something I miss about my culture is the festivals and how we celebrate back in my country. This kind of brings that feeling back.”
Another attendee, third-year digital enterprise management student Parth Sharma, said cultural events on campus allow students to reconnect with traditions and share those experiences with friends. “It’s amazing to be surrounded by friends and culture,” he said. “Even if you’re not always very connected to it, events like this help you experience it again.”
Interviewees also expressed interest in seeing more events like Rangisari Pub Night organized on campus in the future.
By the end of the night, Rangisari Pub Night had transformed The Blind Duck into a lively celebration of music, culture, and community, offering students an opportunity to connect through dance and shared cultural expression.
