The Boston Bhangra (BB) 2016 show held on Saturday, November 19 at Orpheum theatre in Boston was a well-organized, sold-out program that featured college teams from not just the US but UK locked in fierce competition. The 13th annual presentation drew an international audience with a third from attendees of non-Indian ethnicity. Superior team work, liveliness and infectious energy were the hallmarks of almost every team that exhibited high-level coordination in the presentation of Bhangra dance hailing from the region of Punjab, India.

Short, professionally produced 3 to 4 minute long videos introduced each of the teams before the dances. Most teams had five men and five women but some teams were women-only or men-only. The 3rd prize winner from Michigan, the “Furteelay” team consisted entirely of men. Local representation came from MIT (2nd prize winning team), the Boston Univesrity Jalwa team and New England Bhangra club.

The emcees Saatwik Ahluwalia and Shreya Ranganarayan succeeded in creating enthusiasm among the audience that comprised young and old membersThe competition presented a feast of color to the eyes the attendees. The men wore traditional lungis, brightly colored kurtas, brocaded vests, pugree and exquisitely crafted turlas on their heads. The women wore attractive salwaar kameez, elaborately embroidered georgette/chiffon dupattas, braided hair with gold tassles(paraanday), heavy jewellery and strings of colored woolen balls (phummans) on the arms. Shimmering eye-shadows and bright red lip color brought out the drama of facial makeup by the participants.

Traditional bhangra steps constituted the main content of the dances. The raising of the shoulders, the shaking of the heads, jumps and lunges, acrobatics and rapid change of steps were carefully choreographed to suit the music mashup that consisted mostly of pre-recorded upbeat music that changed rhythms ever so often. 

The choreography was wonderful. The teams used the huge stage and made several geometric formations – one big circle or two small circles, multiple horizontal, diagonal and vertical line formations.  Very often members would twirl instruments like shikay, saap, chimta, hooked sticks and colorful scarves in their hands while dancing.  The presence of a live dhol player and the use of bright and dim lights in synchrony with the music added a creative dimension to several presentations.

Umbrellas, a large USA flag with electric lighting, the guest appearance of a character dressed as President Obama and large banners such as one reading “Boston strong” made the presentation interesting. 

The multi-cultural presence of non-Indian folk was evident not just in the audience but also in many of the teams that had competent representation from Caucasians as well as African Americans. Broad smiles and happiness on the faces of the participants spread the joy of dancing and merry-making to the audience as well, some of whom could be observed to be dancing right in their seats or in the aisles of the Orpheum theatre.

The last team to compete was from London, United Kingdom. Titled “Josh Valaithian Da JVD, they presented extraordinary coordination and synchronized dancing and won first place in the competition. An after-party ensued once the competition ended at 10:15pm.

Rohit Bhambhi of Boston Bhangra congratulated participants, volunteers, sponsors and thanked the four judges that helped decide the winners on the basis of energy, expression and coordination. 

Bhangra, which once began as a harvest celebratory dance from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan is now being kept alive in US and Canada through intense competitions, dance classes and team performances.  â€œI loved every minute of it. I get hypnotized by all the movements and color. The rhythm makes me want to get up and dance.” said concert attendee Chris Brown of Lowell summing up the sentiments of the audience.

Kudos to the BBC organizers, sponsors, volunteers and participants! Boston looks ahead to next year’s competition!