The air was permeated with loud Bhangra music as the smell of international dishes such as the Saudi Arabian rice dish kabsa wafted through the chilly afternoon breeze.

More than 500 people turned out Saturday for the annual Spring Festival 2007 organized by the International Student Council and South Asian Student Association.

Neil Devani (senior-premedicine) said the goal of this year's Spring Festival was to encompass more cultures in order to form a place where different cultures can come to events and always feel welcome.

Unity of different cultures, backgrounds and religions was the central theme of the Spring Festival.

The South Asian Student Association, Sikh Student Association, Hindu Student Council, APA Caucus, Korean Students for Christ, Mexican American Student Association, Malaysian Society, Muslim Student Association, Saudi Arabian Student Association, East Asian Studies and the Bonsai Club were all represented at the event.

Large posters about the Muslim faith were aligned closely with the Saudi Arabian Student Association booth. People lined up silently to read the information.

The first part of the festival involved food and socialization followed by 16 song and dance performances, Devani said.

On stage, the girls of the Penn State Bhangra team danced to an upbeat compilation of Bhangra music.

The bright colors of their garments flashed across the stage as they jumped and twirled to the excited music in front of the audience.

Later, Hari Khatri (junior-accounting) of the Sikh Student Association played the drums and sang the Hindi song "Taal Se Taal" while two other men drummed along.

Nicholas Drewchin (sophomore-international studies), who is the founder of the Third Culture Kids International Group, said the group stresses the issue of cultural understanding.

"A deep understanding of many cultures must persist for a healthy disposition in the world," Drewchin said.