Elite Bhangra

Sydney boy band wins top gong at international bhangra contest

Punjabi folk dance troupe Bhangra

All Stars Sydney (BASS) brought home the trophy from the World Championship of Bhangra competition held in North Carolina USA earlier this year.

Their high octane eight-minute routine was performed in perfect unison. It cleverly incorporated the folk elements of traditional Bhangra with the use of props such as khundey, shikke and joyous sounding ghungroos. Adapting to the taste of western-raised audiences, modern elements such as a hip-hop fusion soundtrack and colourful stage lights were integrated throughout the routine.

BASS captain Amitoj Thind said, “It was amazing to have an international audience appreciate a routine we had spent many months creating, practicing and perfecting.”

He described his team as “friends who have been learning Bhangra together since childhood.”

Formed in 2011, BASS has been determined to take their flavour of Bhangra to an international level. At the World Championship competition, teams from across the world have been competing since the early 2000s, and for many years Punjabi youth from Australia have been following through videos online.

When asked about the preparation process, Amitoj said “The process was quite long and tough. We had long and exhausting practices five nights a week which our boys had to balance with work or school. We all grew a lot from the experience and in the end it was very rewarding.”

Divjot Mehrok, the youngest performer at age 14, said the tough learning curve and late nights were “in the end all worth it,” as he learned “valuable skills such as time management, teamwork and thinking outside-the-box.”

BASS has been competing at a national and international level since 2012, winning many prestigious competitions such as Nachda Punjab, Harbour City Bhangra and Bhangra Down Under, with placings at World’s Best Bhangra Crew New Jersey and Bruin Bhangra in Los Angeles.

BASS Queens, the girls team of the BASS academy, has also shared much success, placing at competitions nationwide.

It is inspiring to see Australian-born Punjabis maintaining a deep connection to their culture and promoting the folkdance of their ancestors. Amitoj and Divjot credit the parents and families who have “encouraged and engaged the children in their culture from an early age.”

“We are so humbled to have the opportunity to display our heritage and passion for Bhangra on the international stage,” Amitoj said. “Our hope is to preserve the Punjabi culture and inspire others to connect with it as well.”