What is dance but an "explosion" of absolute energy, vibrancy and creativity? Thus, what better name than Dhamaka (meaning "explosion" in Hindi), to identify the University of Pennsylvania's first and only all-male fusion dance group? Dhamaka – a result of nine young students with a passion and fire for dance, combines western and South Asian dance styles, with an aspiration to present a fresh, unique, and innovative fusion of these cultures.
Dhamaka, having started small, has expanded rapidly in the past few years, with success after success at numerous competitions and showcases at universities along the east coast, and in their debut performance, Jawaani: A Celebration of Youth in the fall of 2003.
Q: When was Dhamaka formed? Who formed it?
The idea of creating Dhamaka - an all male South Asian dance troupe at the University of Pennsylvania, first came to Milan Vora in the spring of 2000. He envisioned a group that could showcase the various styles and cultures of South Asia utilizing the power and energy that an all male group could generate.
In the fall of 2001 Milan recruited eight dancers and together they formed Dhamaka.
Milan's vision was then further crystallized in the form of "Dholna," Dhamaka's first piece.
Q: What type of dance does the group specialise in?
The core type of dance the group performs is Bhangra, Raas, Filmy (Bollywood) and Hip Hop. However, the type of dance the group does has expanded into various Western and Eastern dances including Salsa, Bharatnatyam, Step, Jazz and Arabic dance. The beauty of the group is that it keeps expanding its style of dance.
Q: How many members? From where do they come from? Age group?
The group membership changes every year depending on recruitment. The size of the group ranged from 10–18 students depending on the year. As of now, the group consists of 18 members, ranging from ages 18–26. The group accepts undergraduate and graduate students from all parts of the world and are from anywhere from California to Jamaica to Sri Lanka.
Q: What international/ national acclaim/awards has the group attained?
The group has participated in seven competitions and have been placed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd at every competition. The group has won two competitions, Beat of Passion in 2004 and Phillyfest 2007, qualifying the group to participate in the Best of the Best competition (the nation's elite south Asian dance competition).
Q: What study streams are you all from?
The members of the group study various subjects. The members of the group have studied Physics, Engineering, Business, Medical,Dental Pre-medical, Pre-dental and Pre-law curriculums.
Q: How did you all come together? What's the criteria required?
The group holds auditions every semester. Each audition, each participant learns a minute-long routine and performs this routine. If called back to a second round of auditions, each participant performs this piece plus a piece of original choreography. On average, about 25.
people try out each semester and 1–4 new members are added each semester.
Q: What kind of dance background (if any) do you guys have?
Absolutely no dance background is required to join the group. Only about 20% of the group have any previous dance experience, including experience in Hip Hop, Raas and Bharatnatyam training. However, most members join the group without any experience.
Q: What's the practice schedule like?
The group practices 15 hours a week. Practices are typically for two hours on weeknights and four to five hours on Sundays.
Q: Who's in charge of choreography, or do you each give your input, according to your personal dance influence?
Each member contributes to the choreography. Each piece is choreographed by a group of 2–5 members. In one year, the group will perform 6–8 pieces.
Q: What's your common passion to dance? (Why do you as a group, or individually, like to dance?)
The common passion to dance is the combination of the cultural identification with South Asian and Western style of dance and the excitement of performing. We dance because we learn about our own cultural roots and as well as the cultures of others (We have performed African, Salsa and Step dances in the last 2 years).
For more information visit www.penndhamaka.com.
"Learning to walk set you free. Learning to dance gives you the greatest freedom of all: To express with your whole self the person you are..." – Melissa Hayden – well–known Canadian Ballerina.
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