In a vibrant intersection of movement and monologue, a new student-led initiative at Johns Hopkins University is proving that sometimes the best way to bridge cultural divides is with a punchline and a prayer.
Titled “Ha Ha Hasya: Exploring Tradition and Identity Through Dance and Comedy,” the project led by Sandhya Ganesh, an Indian American master’s student in Biomedical Engineering, is one of six winners of the inaugural Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund grant of up to $10,000,
The program seeks to use the stage as a laboratory for exploring the nuances of the Indian American experience and beyond. The initiative is a collaborative effort between Shakti, the university’s premier Indian classical dance team, and the Johns Hopkins Stand Up Comedy Club.
By pairing the disciplined, ancient storytelling of dance with the raw, observational wit of comedy, the organizers hope to unpack how tradition and modern identity often clash and coexist.
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“Ha Ha Hasya” with “Hasya” referring to the Sanskrit concept of laughter or comic sentiment is designed to be more than just a showcase. It serves as a participatory platform where students can confront the complexities of heritage.
The program features short performances that invite audience input, followed by Q&A panels and intimate breakout sessions. These discussions are intended to help participants reflect on whether performance makes them more comfortable expressing their unique identities in daily life.
The project arrives at a time when the university is placing a renewed emphasis on “dialogue across difference.” Jasmine Blanks Jones, executive director of the Center for Social Concern, noted that the fund empowers students to lead conversations on the issues that matter most to them.
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For the students behind the project, the goal is to humanize the struggle of balancing two worlds. Whether it is a dancer interpreting a traditional piece or a comedian joking about the pressures of the immigrant household, the program highlights how humour can lower guards and open hearts.
By re-evaluating established traditions through a creative lens, the organizers believe they can foster a community that is more empathetic and self-aware.
As part of the grant, the organizers will receive specialized training in constructive dialogue and event planning to ensure the conversations remain respectful and impactful.
The initiative underscores a broader effort at Johns Hopkins to treat the campus as a space where “active citizenship” is practiced through the arts, proving that identity is not just something inherited, but something continuously performed and joked about.