So you think you can dance

The stage was marked by stark simplicity. But the lone Ganesh statue that adorned it, knew it was going to be awash with vibrant colour very shortly.

And what colour and vibrance there was! Marjani marjani, Aaja nach le, Beedi jalaile, Choli ke peeche, Jhumka gira re every hit Bollywood dance number you can think of, had the audience swaying with pleasure, and even allowed a catcall or two!

Australia Hindi Indian Association’s Youth Talent Dance Competition was bigger this year than ever before.

Held for the third successive year, it presented the dancing talent of 16 finalist performances in Solo and Group categories. Over 60 youth in the age range 15-25 participated. Auditions had been held earlier in the month, and the finals took place at the Ryde Civic Centre on 23 Aug.

The lighting was muted and the music loud, as the competition began.

The Solo contest featured Pallavi Nigam (Kehna hai kya, Main albeli, Nach le nach le), Priya Mistry (Beedi jalaile), Prachi Batra (medley of songs from Taal, Hum dil de chuke sanam and Heyy Babby), Mansi Saxena (Silsila yeh chahat ka), Kanika Pathania (Rajasthani influenced Choli ke peechi, Jogan), Natasha Verma (folk inspired wedding song from Sikandar), Ritika Satsangi (Madhur madhur kuch bol, Radha kaise na jale), and Nikita Santosh (Bangle ki peeche, old and new versions).

But it was Anjana Chandran’s Piya tose naina laage re, Jhumka gira re and Kangna re kangna that took the honours that night.

The Group round was a contest between seven performances. The Vaijayanti Bollywood Dance Group chose a patriotic Sabse aage honge Hindustani and Vande Mataram in a dedication to India’s Independence Day that had just passed.

Platinum Indian Entertainment was more bindaas with Luck luck nakhre, Marjani Marjani and Azimo shaan shehenshah Spirit Group picked Lat uljhe, Rangeela and Twist

The Harmony group emphasised the power of love and peace with Dil se Ring poshwa, while the Mistry girls chose to go Dhadak dhadak

However, it was the Indian Dance Centre’s Aaja Mahi that blew the audience away - their step synchronizing perfectly with the music and their colourful costumes all blending together beautifully.

Ruchi Sanghi’s Ishiq Group was the largest group of the evening with over 20 performers, playing to Mungda and chaplam, with a perfect combination of Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi dance steps.

Judges Sandhya Bose, Jarmar Pandya, Shwetambara Barar and Naina Purohit picked Platinum as the winners.

An interesting choice of music indeed – spanning many decades. The dances themselves were creatively choreographed, showcasing elements not only of the Bollywood style but also hip hop, Spanish and Middle-Eastern styles. Together, it created a ‘can’t-stop-moving’ kind of feel for the audience!

Julie Owens, Federal MP for Parramatta graced this occasion as the Chief Guest and praised AHIA for taking the initiative and promoting harmony and ‘Bollywood

Culture’, which is very popular in today’s times. David Borger, Minister of Housing and Western Sydney, delivered a message from the Premier of NSW Nathan Rees. Philip Ruddock, Federal MP of Berowra, presented the Prizes to the winners and Judges. Others who attended included Judy Hopwood, State MP for Hornsby, and Mr. Anup Singh, representing the Consul General of India in Sydney, Amit Dasgupta.

Shallu Kundra and Pravesh Babhoota acted as hosts.

Winners in the Solo contest took home cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 each respectively, whereas 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of Group category received cash prizes of $400, $300 and $200 respectively.

In a special prize instituted by Anupam Sharma of Films and Casting Temple, two participants - Kanika Pathania and Manu Preet Singh - won an opportunity to perform in a Bollywood film.

“For me, the event has been a successful attempt at bringing the community together through the themes of music and dance,” Pravesh Babhoota, President of AHIA, said.

Tejaswini Prabhu