Rishi Menon
Rishi Menon is a Class of 2027 student majoring in the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP). Currently, he is also considering majoring in Management Information Systems and Mathematics as well as a minor in the language Malayalam. As an out-of-state student from Naperville, Illinois, Rishi came to UT in search of tight-knit communities and genuine human connections. In both Texas Talaash and Canfield BHP, Rishi has found many like-minded peers and inspiring mentors.
Texas Talaash is a competitive male Bollywood fusion dance team that combines Bhangra, hip hop, Kuthu, and contemporary styles. Alongside around 150 teams across the nation, Talaash is a part of the Desi Dance Network that hosts nationwide competitions. Every team puts on a theme-based performance that narrates a story. This year, Talaash’s theme is zombie infection – through their choreography, production, and acting, dancers transform into heroes who must prevent the apocalypse before it’s too late.
Before joining Talaash, Rishi only danced casually during his high school senior year. By participating in a school-wide competition and performing at graduation parties, Rishi was first exposed to dance. This initial spark soon transformed into something much greater after he learned about the Talaash, however. “It was just a cool community that I wanted to be a part of.” Rishi describes.
Talaash is a significant time commitment. Beginning with practicing three times a week for four hours per day, the intensity increases to five times a week for six hours every day as the number of competitions ramps up. While his dedication to Talaash means sacrificing time for his professional and social life, Rishi is learning the important lesson of finding balance. Moreover, through countless hours of practicing, traveling, and competing together, Talaash became more of a brotherhood than a dance team. As he develops his passion for dance, Rishi has also developed trust and dependability in his 30-plus fellow members.
Additionally, his time in Talaash has also given Rishi many unforgettable memories. The team won first place, in Cleveland, Ohio, and more competitions are on the horizon throughout the rest of the spring semester. Beyond competitive placements, many highlights on the dance team lie in spontaneous social outings. Rishi greatly enjoys seeing his teammates outside of the context of dancing and getting to know them through events such as bake-offs.
When reflecting on the lessons he learned through dance, Rishi emphasizes the importance of helping others and accepting one’s imperfections. Many logistical tasks need completion for Talaash to run smoothly, and Rishi has begun to help out upperclassmen with the little things to ensure they do not feel overwhelmed. Such proactivity can go a long way, and Rishi has also implemented this perspective in his other student organizations. On the other hand, having little experience, Rishi initially found it scary to perform in front of everyone else. However, after internalizing that his peers in Talaash only want to see his growth and success, he found it much easier to get past his fearful mindset. Moving on, Rishi also hopes to prioritize fostering an environment in which everyone can feel safe to try new things even if they are not confident.
Beyond Talaash, Rishi is also very thankful for the community he found in Canfield BHP, as the program gave him an immediate community of friends. This was especially valuable for Rishi as an out-of-state student, who did not know many people coming into UT. Additionally, upperclassmen in the program are very supportive in helping Rishi define his career goals.
In the future, Rishi hopes to get more involved at UT by finding additional communities, whether it be professional or social organizations. He is excited about the prospect of meeting more people with different interests and majors to develop strong relationships with them. Rishi will prioritize interest and fun in his new organizations, as he believes that is much more beneficial than dedicating time only toward professional development.
In terms of Talaash, Rishi plans to continue being involved throughout his college career, and he may run for captain eventually. Regardless of his decision, Rishi knows that his Talaash family will always be by his side.
You can watch Rishi’s performance through this link.