There’s something about a night when fashion meets culture, when the lights shine bright and everything feels alive.
DePaul’s Pakistani Student Association, the largest Pakistani Student Association in the Chicago area, brought that energy to life with its highly anticipated 4th Annual Met Gala at the Alhambra Palace Restaurant on Feb. 16. The night had everyone throwing their hands up, not just to the beat, but in celebration of Pakistani culture. The elegant venue, next-level performances and gorgeous outfits made the night nothing short of a Met Gala.
This year’s gala theme was Disco Deewane, and the event embraced its lively, vibrant energy. The event had a myriad of offerings from authentic Pakistani cuisine to a 360-degree photo booth. The night was a celebration of Pakistani culture, with attendees dressed to impress and dancing the night away.
Alhambra Palace Restaurant is one of largest venues in the Loop area and has been the home for the Pakistani Student Association (PSA)’s Met Gala for the past four years. Furqan Saddal, a computer science major at DePaul, noted his appreciation for the gala.
“The event was really fun and a great place for the Pakistani community,” Saddal said. “It wasn’t just for DePaul students, but for students from all over to come together, have fun, and embrace their culture.”
The night began with performances by the PSA board. The members made their entrances in duos and trios, setting the stage for the performances to come. They started with short intro dances in a Bollywood fusion style, which mixes traditional Bollywood moves with modern dance elements. The girls performed to “Desi Thumka” and “Afghan Jalebi,” the boys danced to “Aahun Aahun” and to close it all out, the entire board came together for “White Brown Black.”
These performances captured the essence of Pakistani culture and made the night more lively. Manpreet Bhalla, aka DJ Bhalla, blended Hollywood and Bollywood hits for the rest of the night, keeping the crowd on their feet.
“I thought the dances were super lively and entertaining, and the DJ also had perfect songs for the event,” said Maro Vogel, a senior majoring in computer science.
Kiran Bharaj, a senior majoring in finance, added, “The dances were so well choreographed and a perfect way to welcome everyone to the dance floor!”
As the event was a Met Gala, students were in fierce competition to be the best dressed. The PSA gala is an opportunity for students to dress up in their fanciest traditional attire. What’s special about the gala is that it’s not just for those in the Pakistani community. It’s a chance for everyone to get involved and experience Pakistani culture firsthand by dressing up in these beautiful outfits.
Ella Freimuth, a non-Pakistani freshman studying film and TV, reflected, “It was an amazing experience to be in such a welcoming environment, surrounded by so many beautiful outfits. The music was great, the food was delicious, and it was really cool to be there and to be able to celebrate Pakistani culture.”
As for food, the board members arranged for Ali’s Nihari to cater the event. The menu included chicken biryani, vegetable biryani, karahi, malai boti (grilled kabobs) and, for dessert, gulab jamun. The food was set up buffet-style on the second floor of the venue.
Tessa Rarick, a freshman film and TV major, found the gulab jamun, a sweet, syrup-soaked dessert made from fried dough balls, to be the highlight of the night. Trying it for the first time, she shared, “The ball was good, it tasted like a wet pancake!”
Rabah Khan, senior business management major and PSA board treasurer, hopes to leave a lasting impression on those who attend.
“Planning for our biggest event of the year can be filled with highly stressful moments, but with a proactive executive board, every task and deadline doesn’t seem that bad,” Khan said. “With months and months of tedious planning, we work together to create the best night of our college lives.”
Hamna Zaidi, president of PSA, has been a part of the board since her freshman year, staying connected through her sister, who founded the club. Over the years, Hamna’s support has helped shape some of the organization’s most memorable events.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my position. Hosting these events and hearing the great feedback is so rewarding,” Zaidi said. “It’s about creating an unforgettable experience for everyone, and seeing them enjoy the night is what makes it all worth it. I do it for the people, and not as much for myself.”
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