State of the Bhangra Union Address

[terabaap]

Here is the point, no one knows enough. Bhangra is an evolving art form.

Good stuff Faizan. Thanks.

 

[KushK]

[SIZE=x-large]Call to Bhangra[/SIZE]

now available on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3

Featuring Special Agent Faizan G.

 

[COMTONDAJATT]

Did we sign a peace treaty with The Raas Republic and Fusion Facist Federation yet?

 

[rajkaran]

Did we sign a peace treaty with The Raas Republic and Fusion Facist Federation yet?

hahahahahaha

 

[Notorious D.E.B.]

Great speech, Faizan. As a newcomer to the circuit, only being on it for 1 year, I have entered into this highly competitive atmosphere and agree with what you said. I danced at a few competitions this year and my only objective was to have fun and meet new and experienced people. I never once turned my back on a team or dancer thinking I was better...I certainly did not give off a cocky attitude (and wouldn't have anything to show for it if I did since I was still becoming acquainted with the dance and circuit) but I did see a lot of others who acted this way. It's just not right. I was purely there to enjoy doing something for which I have a new-found love: bhangra and dancing.

I really hope the atmosphere on the bhangra scene will stop in the direction it's going, but meeting kids from the younger generation who are already showing that cockiness and attitude discourages me. We NEED to focus more on sportsmanship and inter-team support...don't walk into a competition with an attitude. You'll have a great weekend if you just understand that we're all there for the same love of bhangra.

I completely agree. When I met people or danced with people who had that kind of attitude, I was very discouraged, left wondering if that what this was REALLY about...bhangra being "just another competitive dance/sport" as Faizan said. It's sad to see how promoting a culture in a way you would think would be fun and enjoyable is turning into this. I really hope the other members of my generation and ones just now entering the circuit won't have this attitude. Leave the cockiness at the door. No one cares if you think you know everything about bhangra or are the best dancer in the world. I don't "dance battle" with people to prove I'm better I do it so I can learn more moves/styles and hopefully make a new friend. I hope the bhangra world will come to realize that we are only separated by our distance and we all have (or should have) the same goals in mind: promoting this great culture and having fun while doing it. That's my outlook on it at least.

Thanks for a great year though. I'm looking forward to having many more.

 

[kinnell]

Did we sign a peace treaty with The Raas Republic and Fusion Facist Federation yet?

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

See my last post.

 

[ameetkhabra]

Personally, I completely agree with what Faizan has said, but it is easier said than done. As much as I would like the competitive atmosphere between teams to vanish, I really do not see it happening anytime soon. I feel that competitions are slightly to blame for all of this. I know that organizers, like myself, intend on promoting Bhangra as an art form rather than promoting a competitive atmosphere, but the whole purpose of a competition is to be competitive. Until competitions eliminate the competitive aspect of their competitions (which defeats the entire purpose of a competition) I don't see any change happening.

 

[Arjun Barua]

Cornell got it right...


Pao Bhangra FTW!


More bhangra exhibition shows like that are needed. It's always a good time for everyone involved.

 

[AnkurK]

Cornell got it right...


Pao Bhangra FTW!


More bhangra exhibition shows like that are needed. It's always a good time for everyone involved.

+1

 

[ameetkhabra]

Cornell got it right...Pao Bhangra FTW!More bhangra exhibition shows like that are needed. It's always a good time for everyone involved.

your absolutely right, but doesn't Pao pay transportation + accommodation? If you look at it as a financial point of view it is simply too expensive. Lets say that I want to hold an exhibition show here in Vancouver. I create a breakdown of where all my money will go, and because its an exhibition show the $10,000 I was going to spend for prize money is money I can use for something else. Now lets say SGPD wants to perform and they want to bring a 16 man set; their flights (approx. $450) will cost me $7,200 along with accommodations ($100 per night. 4 rooms) they now are costing me at-least $7,600. Now add another 7 teams - costs run too high.

I'm not entirely sure where I am trying to go with this considering that before I said that competitions are kind at fault for the competitive atmosphere, and now I am defending why competitions have competitions and not exhibition shows. I think competitions just need to find a way to have a competition without a competitive nature .. .

 

[yraparla]

Cornell got it right...Pao Bhangra FTW!More bhangra exhibition shows like that are needed. It's always a good time for everyone involved.

your absolutely right, but doesn't Pao pay transportation + accommodation? If you look at it as a financial point of view it is simply too expensive. Lets say that I want to hold an exhibition show here in Vancouver. I create a breakdown of where all my money will go, and because its an exhibition show the $10,000 I was going to spend for prize money is money I can use for something else. Now lets say SGPD wants to perform and they want to bring a 16 man set; their flights (approx. $450) will cost me $7,200 along with accommodations ($100 per night. 4 rooms) they now are costing me at-least $7,600. Now add another 7 teams - costs run too high.

I'm not entirely sure where I am trying to go with this considering that before I said that competitions are kind at fault for the competitive atmosphere, and now I am defending why competitions have competitions and not exhibition shows. I think competitions just need to find a way to have a competition without a competitive nature .. .

I HATE to self-pump but this is the exact mindset we are trying to push with BdM. A competition where the placings aren't important, and having fun for the weekend is everyone's goal

There are lot's of other competitions who have this motivation as well. But if teams are overly critical and competitive, the only solution is competitions not accepting them.

 

[Gabroo Tv]

but the whole purpose of a competition is to be competitive. Until competitions eliminate the competitive aspect of their competitions (which defeats the entire purpose of a competition) I don't see any change happening.

I must respectfully disagree... Believe it or not, Bhangra "Competitions" in the earlier days weren't always about winning, but about spending time together and enjoying yourselves... I use this example time and time again but watch the banquet videos from DDA 2006, Rooh Punjab Di 2006, Bulldog Bhangra 2006... You see many teams getting together and enjoying themselves, watching each others routines in the parking lot and giving their opinion about what they think... After 2006 it started to go downhill... Teams don't mingle with one another, and if they do it's just to drink and get wasted... If a team is practicing they'll go to extreme measures so others won't see their routine...

Where did all the fun in this go people?

How did this happen? Well, one belief I have is that Bhangra obviously gained popularity... Many people wanted to get involved and be a part of the fun... Beautiful, I love this... It's positive growth, we need this... Here's where it went wrong though... Some teams didn't have a proper coach or guidance, they just created a group and wanted to do it to have fun... Which is fine, but they just followed what they saw... Drinking went on in the early days too but it wasn't nearly as bad as it is today... The newer teams looked up to the older teams and followed suit... I feel minor things like this slowly stacked upon one another and eventually we created a freight train with no brakes... This is why I stress soo much that we need to control our actions and drinking because we still have younger generations looking up to us thinking what we're doing is cool... If we don't set the right example now, we might as well stop complaining cause they're just going to follow what they see...

Before people get offended, there is nothing wrong with drinking as long as it is done within means... I don't think I need to go into details and explain the things I've seen... We've all seen them...

 

[ameetkhabra]

Cornell got it right...Pao Bhangra FTW!More bhangra exhibition shows like that are needed. It's always a good time for everyone involved.

your absolutely right, but doesn't Pao pay transportation + accommodation? If you look at it as a financial point of view it is simply too expensive. Lets say that I want to hold an exhibition show here in Vancouver. I create a breakdown of where all my money will go, and because its an exhibition show the $10,000 I was going to spend for prize money is money I can use for something else. Now lets say SGPD wants to perform and they want to bring a 16 man set; their flights (approx. $450) will cost me $7,200 along with accommodations ($100 per night. 4 rooms) they now are costing me at-least $7,600. Now add another 7 teams - costs run too high.I'm not entirely sure where I am trying to go with this considering that before I said that competitions are kind at fault for the competitive atmosphere, and now I am defending why competitions have competitions and not exhibition shows. I think competitions just need to find a way to have a competition without a competitive nature .. .

I HATE to self-pump but this is the exact mindset we are trying to push with BdM. A competition where the placings aren't important, and having fun for the weekend is everyone's goalThere are lot's of other competitions who have this motivation as well. But if teams are overly critical and competitive, the only solution is competitions not accepting them.

oh please, dude you need to stop lying - you love to "self-pump" IM KIDDING. Personally, I think what BDM is pushing to do is a great thing, and a lot of other competitions really need to get on board with the same idea. Mad props to you and your team for trying to create a positive atmosphere where teams can have fun and compete without going to extremes.

but the whole purpose of a competition is to be competitive. Until competitions eliminate the competitive aspect of their competitions (which defeats the entire purpose of a competition) I don't see any change happening.

I must respectfully disagree... Believe it or not, Bhangra "Competitions" in the earlier days weren't always about winning, but about spending time together and enjoying yourselves... I use this example time and time again but watch the banquet videos from DDA 2006, Rooh Punjab Di 2006, Bulldog Bhangra 2006... You see many teams getting together and enjoying themselves, watching each others routines in the parking lot and giving their opinion about what they think... After 2006 it started to go downhill... Teams don't mingle with one another, and if they do it's just to drink and get wasted... If a team is practicing they'll go to extreme measures so others won't see their routine... Where did all the fun in this go people?How did this happen? Well, one belief I have is that Bhangra obviously gained popularity... Many people wanted to get involved and be a part of the fun... Beautiful, I love this... It's positive growth, we need this... Here's where it went wrong though... Some teams didn't have a proper coach or guidance, they just created a group and wanted to do it to have fun... Which is fine, but they just followed what they saw... Drinking went on in the early days too but it wasn't nearly as bad as it is today... The newer teams looked up to the older teams and followed suit... I feel minor things like this slowly stacked upon one another and eventually we created a freight train with no brakes... This is why I stress soo much that we need to control our actions and drinking because we still have younger generations looking up to us thinking what we're doing is cool... If we don't set the right example now, we might as well stop complaining cause they're just going to follow what they see...Before people get offended, there is nothing wrong with drinking as long as it is done within means... I don't think I need to go into details and explain the things I've seen... We've all seen them...

I respect what you have to stay, but I was talking in the context of the state of Bhangra today. Bhangra was about having fun and enjoying the dance back in '06, but now all it's about is winning and staying on the top. I have only been keeping up with the Bhangra circuit for about 2 years now, so correct me if I am wrong, but where competitions competitive with each other in '06? There were hardly any competitions being put on (in comparison to today) these competitions had no one to compete with, now we have multiple competitions happening in the same city. It's a dog eat dog world and I think some competitions go into with that mentality. God forbid that your event lands on the same day as mine and that we both are modern competitions - now we'll have to fight to get the best teams in the circuit. At the end of the day, the mentality in the circuit has changed.

 

[amriksahni]

To Faizan: Ameen, brother. Ameen.

To the bhangra community (or at least those who are going to read my post): I used to do my fair share of shit-talking. I still do, I just don't shit-talk about bhangra because I don't know what's going on in the scene. What I do know, however, is that I'm disgusted at what I have been hearing about these competitions and the way that individuals have been behaving, whether they are a participant, spectator, or just a friend who travels with the teams. I was never on an "Elite 8" team and I've never participated in Bhangra Blowout, but I went to numerous competitions during my bhangra phase. Having said that, I'd like to give my perspective as an outsider.

I feel more shocked than disgusted at the lack of class and poor demeanor of the youth that participate in bhangra competitions these days. I've played competitive sports my entire life, and never once have I not shaken hands with EVERYONE on the opposite team after the game. Even if I fouled someone maliciously during the game (purposely or not), I'd kneel over them and make sure they were okay, and accept the consequences (a card or backlash from the opposing team). Of course, in competitive sports, you have your rivals and you have the "easy teams" to whom you never really worry about losing, but in the end, win or lose, you participate because you love the game.

From what I have witnessed recently, dancers in the North American competitive bhangra arena neither show sportsmanship, dignity, nor class, as they are caught up in the competitive nature of the situation. Perhaps it was because of the lack of stress and fatigue from practicing that I enjoyed being a spectator at bhangra competitions more than participating.

As an outsider, I withhold my viewpoint's credibility, but hear me out: get rid of competitions. Exhibitions are much more fun for participants and spectators because nobody goes home unhappy. As aforementioned in another post, Pao Bhangra got it right. I don't know if it is still in existence, but I remember the one or two times that I attended Pao Bhangra, I had the time of my life. I will never forget hanging out with all the teams before, during, and after the exhibition. In a stark contrast, I attended Elite 8 this past fall, and I witnessed a brick wall between Canadian teams, California teams, east coast teams, etc. No one really liked each other. On the one hand, yes, I'm positive that it's fun to go far away and come home with a big trophy and a check that will barely cover the cost of three costumes and a couple plane tickets; on the other, what a disgrace it is to be staying in the same hotel with over one hundred other people who share your common interest and love for bhangra for an entire weekend and purely dismissing the idea of communication and amicability due to the nature of competition. If Elite 8 (or any other competition, for that matter) were an exhibition, and each team got $1000 for attending and participating, memories would resonate much better in the minds of participants, spectators, and individuals with an interest in bhangra. The current display of classlessness really makes me question the raison d'etre of bhangra teams - I can tell you one thing, it's not getting to know others.

I'm not your father. I can't tell you how to act, but I have done my best to convey that the North American competitive bhangra scene is a disgrace, and I'm glad I got out when I did, and I plan to stay out.

 

[siddyp]

My post is a lil bias because I am a younger member of the bhangra scene, I wasn't there in 06 or before, but I definetley see how teams like KJ, NYU, TRB never really cared about placing but going out there and enjoying themselves. Watching their videos shows. Watching some of the top teams now, you can see it one some dancers faces at different times during their dance where their face goes blank, or their mean muggin because they are concentrating too much about 'am i on the right spot?' or somethin. I don't know about you guys, but i can't stop smiling when I'm on stage. As a member of a young and not very established team, any stage time I get is an unbelievable experience. I can't stop smiling when I'm dancing. It's too exhilarating. To anyone who doesn't smile for their entire routine: If you don't, are you having fun up there?

From going to a select few competitions, I feel like if you want to avoid being around or seeing the asinine behavior, I feel like you can. It's tough being someone like Harjot because he must talk to or deal with everyone. But for everyone else, go hang with Guardians. Go hang with SMD, APD, CMU etc. The so called 'friendly' teams. You'll have the time of your life. There are people on EVERY team that are very nice people and are willing to help out and go out of their way to do it. But it's the assholes we NOTICE and talk about here in this thread that shut everyone else out.

When you get invited and go to E8, you go to win. You can't go to E8 not to win. You earned your spot, you have to go and have your best performance. I believe we can all understand that part, but when all was said and done, it looked like every team congratulated VCU, and left. Even if they don't like each other(idk if they do or dont), they still respect each other. Of course people are gonna be upset that they worked so hard and their frustration will come out, but watch the backstage vids that Harjot put up. Looks like some people still had fun.

When we went to Bayside, there was not a single person, or team that you couldn't go up to, introduce yourself and have a pleasant conversation with. I wish Harjot could have been there to see and record how much fun each and everyone of us had. People were up til 5AM just roaming around the hotel meeting and chillin with anyone and everyone. I can't begin to say how much fun we all had at the after party.

I am one of the most easy going/relaxed person you'll ever meet. So for me, it's easy to shut out the stupid shit and find the good parts. That's why I feel like if you want to find the friendly and outgoing people, you can. You just gotta look for it, and ignore the assholes.

 

[Gurbir23]

My post is a lil bias because I am a younger member of the bhangra scene, I wasn't there in 06 or before, but I definetley see how teams like KJ, NYU, TRB never really cared about placing but going out there and enjoying themselves. Watching their videos shows. Watching some of the top teams now, you can see it one some dancers faces at different times during their dance where their face goes blank, or their mean muggin because they are concentrating too much about 'am i on the right spot?' or somethin. I don't know about you guys, but i can't stop smiling when I'm on stage. As a member of a young and not very established team, any stage time I get is an unbelievable experience. I can't stop smiling when I'm dancing. It's too exhilarating. To anyone who doesn't smile for their entire routine: If you don't, are you having fun up there?

From going to a select few competitions, I feel like if you want to avoid being around or seeing the asinine behavior, I feel like you can. It's tough being someone like Harjot because he must talk to or deal with everyone. But for everyone else, go hang with Guardians. Go hang with SMD, APD, CMU etc. The so called 'friendly' teams. You'll have the time of your life. There are people on EVERY team that are very nice people and are willing to help out and go out of their way to do it. But it's the assholes we NOTICE and talk about here in this thread that shut everyone else out.

When you get invited and go to E8, you go to win. You can't go to E8 not to win. You earned your spot, you have to go and have your best performance. I believe we can all understand that part, but when all was said and done, it looked like every team congratulated VCU, and left. Even if they don't like each other(idk if they do or dont), they still respect each other. Of course people are gonna be upset that they worked so hard and their frustration will come out, but watch the backstage vids that Harjot put up. Looks like some people still had fun.

When we went to Bayside, there was not a single person, or team that you couldn't go up to, introduce yourself and have a pleasant conversation with. I wish Harjot could have been there to see and record how much fun each and everyone of us had. People were up til 5AM just roaming around the hotel meeting and chillin with anyone and everyone. I can't begin to say how much fun we all had at the after party.

I am one of the most easy going/relaxed person you'll ever meet. So for me, it's easy to shut out the stupid shit and find the good parts. That's why I feel like if you want to find the friendly and outgoing people, you can. You just gotta look for it, and ignore the assholes.

a great man by the name of eric cartman once said " you must wade through a sea of dicks to find yourself a friend"

 

[masterscorpiorv]

I HATE to self-pump but this is the exact mindset we are trying to push with BdM. A competition where the placings aren't important, and having fun for the weekend is everyone's goal

There are lot's of other competitions who have this motivation as well. But if teams are overly critical and competitive, the only solution is competitions not accepting them.

This may have been mentioned in a previous post -- if it was, apologies, but has it ever been brought up - the idea of a competition with no 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, but simply, placings, almost like "honorable mentions" -- therefore no one can ever say they "beat" someone else

the competitiveness of teams may decrease substantially just from that? -- just a thought, I can see it causing some issues though as well.

 

[ameetkhabra]

I HATE to self-pump but this is the exact mindset we are trying to push with BdM. A competition where the placings aren't important, and having fun for the weekend is everyone's goal

There are lot's of other competitions who have this motivation as well. But if teams are overly critical and competitive, the only solution is competitions not accepting them.

This may have been mentioned in a previous post -- if it was, apologies, but has it ever been brought up - the idea of a competition with no 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, but simply, placings, almost like "honorable mentions" -- therefore no one can ever say they "beat" someone else

the competitiveness of teams may decrease substantially just from that? -- just a thought, I can see it causing some issues though as well.

I actually spoke to an acquaintance about that once. The thing with that is that now the competition is an exhibition show which wouldn't please a lot of teams. My alternative was have the placings with 1st, 2nd, & 3rd but instead of a cash prize they just receive a trophy (initially teams will be given a honorarium), but that idea didn't pass either.

 

[masterscorpiorv]

I actually spoke to an acquaintance about that once. The thing with that is that now the competition is an exhibition show which wouldn't please a lot of teams. My alternative was have the placings with 1st, 2nd, & 3rd but instead of a cash prize they just receive a trophy (initially teams will be given a honorarium), but that idea didn't pass either.

I see where you're coming from...definitely a good point...

I mean its not REALLY an exhibition because whoever gets an "honorable mention" knows they "beat"(for lack of a better word) the teams who didn't get one -- however, within those that DID get one, there would be no way of knowing who was better than the other -- (which in a sense is exactly what we're trying to eliminate -- isnt it? perhaps im mistaken?)

The idea of no cash prize would be great in an ideal world where hotels, flights, gasoline, and all other expenses were zero lol....its one of the few things that make it so teams HAVE to keep competing is the cash prize, simply if they want to stay in existence, they must keep competing, and attempt to win so that eventually they can buy new vardiyan, new props, apply to farther comps, etc.....the elimination of a cash prize would take away that motivation for many teams...

but most definitely, i see you're point, and see the different issues that can arise from it.

 

[mafzal]

Yeah teams need the money $$$