In the early morning hours of Saturday, February 27, 2010 Temple University Bhangra was struck with a sudden and unexpected tragedy. On the way to Durham, North Carolina to perform at VPD, what was supposed to be the pinnacle of their dance season soon turned into a day of mourning for the South Asian community. An accident along I-85 injured 7 members of the team and also the death of one – Kammini Ragoopath. As members of the Philadelphia South Asian community, many of us knew Kammini throughout high school and during her years at Temple. She was a person that could express a thousand words in the simplicity of a smile. Kammini was able to understand and motivate in ways that no one else could. Music and dance were important in her life just as much as the beat in her heart. Not only was she a gifted and talented dancer, but she also positively affected everyone around her. Her legacy and her life will remain alive amongst us all and will stay here, with us for eternity. 

“My heart weeps a friend of mine…. 
Her life will touch my heart for all of time…. 
She possessed a heart filled with love and kindness…. 
A love that was pure and completely selfless… 
I will remember her for her smile and her beauty…. 
Her laughter, intelligence and her integrity…. 
She will be here with me for the rest of eternity…. 
She was our friend, our heart, our Kammini….”

Being a part of the South Asian dance scene, these are our brothers and sisters and one of them has now lost her life following her passion for dance. Please keep these wonderful, committed, and last but not least, dancers in your mind. Let’s hope and pray that those injured in this accident can make a fast and healthy recovery.

"Life may not be the party we hope for, but while we are here we might as well dance…” – Kammini Ragoopath