The Official Student-Run Newspaper of California High School

The Californian

The Official Student-Run Newspaper of California High School

The Californian

The Official Student-Run Newspaper of California High School

The Californian

Cal goes Bollywood

Students who put on the Bollywood dance show are seen here practicing.

by Natasha Halarnkar, staff writer

For Cal High students involved in competitive Bollywood dance, an hour for hair and makeup backstage, frequent costume changes, and glitter on the floor are the norm.

“You feel nervous yet excited to perform when you’re backstage,” said senior Vishal Vazirani, a member of the Chillman dance group.

Vishal and the Chillman dance group competed against dance teams from around the bay at the Charitable Care Foundation’s annual Bollywood Dance Competition on April 23 at Chabot College.

A number of other Cal students also competed on behalf of the Nupoor Dance Company.

“Right before the competition, a pep talk and positive comments calm us down,” said sophomore Shefali Saboo, a member of Nupoor. “We all support each other a lot.”

The competition has first and second prizes for each category: Raas, Folk Dance, Garba, and Bollywood Dance.   Historically, in the Bollywood category, Arya Dance Academy has placed first.

“It’s very competitive,” said Shefali. “There are so many great dancers and such great dance groups that it’s a close competition.”

This year, the Arya Dance Academy reclaimed their title in the Bollywood dance category. They were followed by the South Bay’s Sangeet Dance Company, much to the dismay of the Nupoor Company.

Teams practiced and  rehearsed intensely in the months leading up to the competition.

Nupoor dance teacher Sonal Sanghvi described the team’s daily two-hour practices, which

include dress rehearsals and costume fittings.

In addition, they posted videos online to help them practice and review all the dances, said Sanghvi.

For the dancers involved in the CCF competition, dance is a passion.

“I enjoy dance because =after every practice, show, or competition when you’re done and all sweaty, you feel good and accomplished inside and proud of yourself,” said Vishal.  “Also, I dance because it’s where I can be myself and express myself.”

Each team is required to have a theme for their set of dances.

The Chillman dance group portrayed the story of a girl who wants to join the Indian cricket team.

“We wore the India cricket team jersey, and cricket sweatpants,” said Vishal.

Nupoor Dance Company had six different dance styles for their theme, “India through the years.”

The team performed a song for each era of Indian history, from the Moghul Empire rule in India, the British rule, India’s independence to modern day.

“The dance moves really follow the style of the era,” said sophomore Avanti Baronia, member of the Nupoor Dance Company.

Costumes, too, add to the theme of each era.

“We had multiple costumes, all shiny and colorful, of course,” said Shefali. “We displayed the tradition of India and our patriotic colors.  Also, we had props in the background, which best show off our dance.”

“In the last couple of weeks, there was still much to be done,” added Avanti. “We still had to make corrections and make all of our moves coordinated.”

The Nupoor Dance Company has been together for a while, with a few new additions.

“Our team has been together for so long it’s hard to keep track,” said Shefali.  “We tell each other everything and at the end of the day, we know we can.”

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