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Aaj Ka Dhamaka 2008 Line-up!!!
- Thread starter kinnell
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Sahil_Mehta
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I'm gonna be lookin to Duke Raas to pull away w/ this one. One of the most detail-oriented and creative raas teams i've seen for a long time... Not to mention they're some mad cool kids on that team.
ambarishraja
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dook? cool kids? not possibleSahil_Mehta said:
jk
... or am i?
Vijay
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dude it seems like the raas competitive circuit is just as intense with just as many comps as the bhangra circuit. i've seem some sick garba-raas teams and theyre just insane to watch live. one of my friends went to raas chaos in dc a few years back (who is mainly a bhangra head), and he said it was the most entertaining/exciting comp hes ever been too. wonder if theres a RTF? haha
Hells Yeah raas competitions are entertaining. The Raas circuit is no where as competitive as the Bhangra Circuit. There are significantly less raas teams in the states compared to Bhangra teams and there are less powerhouses. Going to prestigious raas competitions isn't that difficult at all and there are pretty much no professional teams - which makes the circuit more of an even-playing field. That makes it completely different from Bhangra where great teams can continue to dominate the circuit and get into top tier competitions through professional teams.Vijay said:
RTF is DesiDanceTeams.com. That's where all those heads are at.
Kinnell pretty much said it, the Raas world isn't anywhere close to where Bhangra is. Far less competitions and less teams. Raas is basically where bhangra was 5 years ago, all collegiate teams, few competitions.
We still looking into what competitions we want to apply for next semester but I prob won't be competing because I'm graduating in Dec, so I'm not sure what the future holds for me.kinnell said:
sorethighs
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Raas comps are a more even playing field w/ the lack of professional teams, but the bhangra scene is much bigger. I think part of that is the music. Think about it, few poeple get hyped up a new garba album coming out the same way they do about a bhangra CD.
Also, with all coed teams, its a really different vibe, not as much testosterone backstage (which can be a great thing)
Also, with all coed teams, its a really different vibe, not as much testosterone backstage (which can be a great thing)
The music thing is really true! Honestly, very little new songs come out and it's not stuff you play at parties and go crazy for (though our Raas choreographer would disagree). A lot of routines are just remixes of the same songs over and over again. And Ben, your point about co-ed is completely true and I just never realized it. Most teams are 8 girls - 8 guys. 7-7 and 8-6 are really rare. Apparently only one team has placed with a 8-6.sorethighs said:
Historical placings:
2007
1st - Duke Dhamaka (bhangra)
2nd - Duke Raas (raas)
3rd - Emory H4H (fusion)
2006
1st - Drexel Jhalak (fusion)
2nd - NYU Pandemonium (bhangra/fusion)
3rd - Emory Sitaara (fusion)
2005 (not 100% sure about these)
1st - Emory Sitaara (fusion)
2nd - Emory Azaadi (bhangra)
3rd - UVA Di Shaan (bhangra)
Bhangra teams have done pretty well at AKD in the past. The competition this year has an even number of fusion, bhangra, and raas teams. It's usually been skewed towards fusion and bhangra. This will be a very interesting and diverse competition. Since all different styles are pit against each other, the winning teams are usually those that bring the most creativity (in terms of formations and choreo), but most importantly the most energy.
I would watch out for Wolfpack Bhangra. We competed against them 2-3 times last year, and they got better every single time. Very up-and-coming team. Mad respect for Vinay and Johnny out in NC State.
Don't forget about both Duke teams though
2007
1st - Duke Dhamaka (bhangra)
2nd - Duke Raas (raas)
3rd - Emory H4H (fusion)
2006
1st - Drexel Jhalak (fusion)
2nd - NYU Pandemonium (bhangra/fusion)
3rd - Emory Sitaara (fusion)
2005 (not 100% sure about these)
1st - Emory Sitaara (fusion)
2nd - Emory Azaadi (bhangra)
3rd - UVA Di Shaan (bhangra)
Bhangra teams have done pretty well at AKD in the past. The competition this year has an even number of fusion, bhangra, and raas teams. It's usually been skewed towards fusion and bhangra. This will be a very interesting and diverse competition. Since all different styles are pit against each other, the winning teams are usually those that bring the most creativity (in terms of formations and choreo), but most importantly the most energy.
I would watch out for Wolfpack Bhangra. We competed against them 2-3 times last year, and they got better every single time. Very up-and-coming team. Mad respect for Vinay and Johnny out in NC State.
Don't forget about both Duke teams though
Shahrukh
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i was at the show and heres my very short review
1. delaware kamaal- fusion team, with the nicest gora captain ever, they were creative in sync and a lot of fun to watch
2. duke dhamaka- bhangra team. you will have to wait and see the video. wasnt feeling their set at all a lot of just dancing rather than bhangra going on, some nice formations, and audience loved them
3. vcu ricochet raas- my own schools team, didnt get to see their performance but waitn for the vid
other teams
unc bhangra elite exhibition- mostly traditional choreo, but had khunda segment to rap song? and they got new vardiyaan and they are nice
uva di shaan- a solid set, execution was on point for the most part, little mistakes here and there, enjoyable performance
wolfpack bhangra- didnt get to see it
rdb- only one singer came and he was faking it, but all the teams got on stage and did bhangra for like 15 min, it was fun
afterparty- no room to breathe, decent sized club, wayyyyyy too many ppl.
1. delaware kamaal- fusion team, with the nicest gora captain ever, they were creative in sync and a lot of fun to watch
2. duke dhamaka- bhangra team. you will have to wait and see the video. wasnt feeling their set at all a lot of just dancing rather than bhangra going on, some nice formations, and audience loved them
3. vcu ricochet raas- my own schools team, didnt get to see their performance but waitn for the vid
other teams
unc bhangra elite exhibition- mostly traditional choreo, but had khunda segment to rap song? and they got new vardiyaan and they are nice
uva di shaan- a solid set, execution was on point for the most part, little mistakes here and there, enjoyable performance
wolfpack bhangra- didnt get to see it
rdb- only one singer came and he was faking it, but all the teams got on stage and did bhangra for like 15 min, it was fun
afterparty- no room to breathe, decent sized club, wayyyyyy too many ppl.
Congratulations to the teams that placed!
I cannot wait to see vids! Should be fun - but I agree with you Amit. I feel that competitions like this should not happen. There are too many variables and in the end, placings involve being the most entertaining team (yes, having formations and high energy are part of being entertaining) than being the most legit, or most technically traditional team.
PradNad, a fusion dance with bhangra in it doesn't make it a bhangra and fusion dance. It makes just a fusion dance. Incorporating bhangra in your routine and calling yourself a bhangra performance are two different things. Just a heads-up! (And congrats dude!)PradNad said:
I cannot wait to see vids! Should be fun - but I agree with you Amit. I feel that competitions like this should not happen. There are too many variables and in the end, placings involve being the most entertaining team (yes, having formations and high energy are part of being entertaining) than being the most legit, or most technically traditional team.
Kinnell, I definitely see your point about incorporating bhangra into fusion. I categorized NYU Pandemonium as a bhangra/fusion team simply out of what I thought they would call themselves. In my opinion, there are definitely a fusion team (do they still compete?)
Congrats to folks at UNC for a very well-run show. The venue was amazing and great audience (rough guess 50% out of 2200 seats). Dress rehearsal was well-executed. Good MCing even. The afterparty was seriously over-crowded, but RDB was a blast in the club - better than he (yes, only one singer) was at the show, where he was definitely faking it. Shout-out to my boy DJ Rang. Definitely tore it up for that last hour.
In regards to competitions that judge different categories against each other, I agree that in the end they are ineffective at judging who was the best team, and the second best, and the third best of the night. Only pure category competitions can really do that, where everyone is judged on equal ground. Regardless, AKD has grown into a really great show and competition during the last couple of years - certainly one of the best in the Southeast. The fact that it draws ~1100 audience members really says something. Also, having attended/performed in all-bhangra competitions and mixed competitions, the mixed competitions are a nice change of pace. Don't expect the same kind of bhangra you'd see at PCS or AVAP. But if you're looking for entertainment, these mixed comps are great, and the bhangra teams are still very solid.
Congrats to UVA and Wolfpack for two very good sets. I look forward to seeing you guys in all-bhangra competitions in the spring. I have videos for UVA, Wolfpack, and UNC Bhangra Elite. If someone does not want them posted or wants them privately sent, private message me.
Congrats to folks at UNC for a very well-run show. The venue was amazing and great audience (rough guess 50% out of 2200 seats). Dress rehearsal was well-executed. Good MCing even. The afterparty was seriously over-crowded, but RDB was a blast in the club - better than he (yes, only one singer) was at the show, where he was definitely faking it. Shout-out to my boy DJ Rang. Definitely tore it up for that last hour.
In regards to competitions that judge different categories against each other, I agree that in the end they are ineffective at judging who was the best team, and the second best, and the third best of the night. Only pure category competitions can really do that, where everyone is judged on equal ground. Regardless, AKD has grown into a really great show and competition during the last couple of years - certainly one of the best in the Southeast. The fact that it draws ~1100 audience members really says something. Also, having attended/performed in all-bhangra competitions and mixed competitions, the mixed competitions are a nice change of pace. Don't expect the same kind of bhangra you'd see at PCS or AVAP. But if you're looking for entertainment, these mixed comps are great, and the bhangra teams are still very solid.
Congrats to UVA and Wolfpack for two very good sets. I look forward to seeing you guys in all-bhangra competitions in the spring. I have videos for UVA, Wolfpack, and UNC Bhangra Elite. If someone does not want them posted or wants them privately sent, private message me.
Saab
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Congrats to the teams.
Kinnel and Havish you should both come to Dandia on Fire Ill see you both, and compete against, the both of you (If Havish is still on the team then after graduating).
Havish your cousin is on the Raas team man, and hes a pretty sweet dude(Kunaal)
I have to agree about the music issue, though at Dandia on Fire last year they made some real sick mixes with the garba and raas songs.
Kinnel and Havish you should both come to Dandia on Fire Ill see you both, and compete against, the both of you (If Havish is still on the team then after graduating).
Havish your cousin is on the Raas team man, and hes a pretty sweet dude(Kunaal)
I have to agree about the music issue, though at Dandia on Fire last year they made some real sick mixes with the garba and raas songs.