Obama and the Might of Penn Masala

Penn Masala, who performed at the White House for Diwali in 2009, is in India

Penn Masala, the ‘a cappella’ group formed by four Indian students of University of Pennsylvania in 1996, is currently performing in India. A cappella music is played without instruments, and Penn Masala is hoping that its five-city tour can turn the genre more popular in India. While speaking about the tour, the group also shared its experience of performing at the White House for Diwali in 2009. Sam Levenson, the band’s only non-Asian member, says, “It was so crazy for us to hear from our business manager that we had this opportunity. We had to convince our professors into letting us miss exams, which I don’t think they were too unhappy about. It really was a special day at the White House as it not only was the first time Diwali had been celebrated there, but it was also the day that the signing of an important legislative bill concerning Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders took place. What was even better was hearing the president talk about inspiring Asian-American talent in America and then mentioning our group.” Let the drums roll for Penn Masala. Oh, forgot. They don’t need instruments.

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Samhith Malladi