Authentic Bhangra vs Desi Fusion comps

[TheFilmKid]

Is there any division right now between the teams that focus on more traditional bhangra vs. the teams that dance in the fusion competitions that combine hip-hop, bollywood & bhangra??

 

[Vick]

what?

 

[Sukhdip S. Chhina]

yeh what are you talking abt???

 

[Ashqe]

are you talking like fusion comps then with a fusion category and a separate bhangra category?

 

[Varun00]

i think he's asking if there are any differences between traditional bhangra and the bhangra (modern) that they use in fusion routines

 

[Don]

confusion ???

 

[Varun00]

actually yea, i still don't know what he's asking...

 

[Basim]

Hmmm.. from what I can gather, he may be hinting on something Abhi posted in the Phillyfest 2009 Results thread.

When we first started, NYU Pandemonium could not catch a break from any critics. Bhangra teams did not like the fact that we were mixing somewhat traditional bhangra with hip hop or that we didn't wear full vaardiyaan. Fusion teams did not like us because we only did bhangra and hip hop, often being quoted as not Fusion enough.

I'm just taking a guess that "TheFilmKid" is asking if there is a divide amongst Bhangra-Fusion teams (i.e. Three Rivers Bhangra (I know they are done), NYU Pandemonium, Bhangra Empire, etc.. more or less) and pure traditional Bhangra teams (Rooh Punjabi Di, Gabroo Shokeen, SIAC, Nachde Shokeen, etc.. more or less).

I dunno though ???

~ Basim

 

[kinnell]

There is no division because they're not viewed as equals. Most competitions are favoring traditional elements in a routine and more and more modern teams are incorporating traditional elements into their dances. It's not really a division with two different opposing ideologies, it's more of a conversion. I do realize that more and more traditional teams are incorporating modern elements, but let's view the extremes. A live traditional team will be said to be graceful, beautiful and folk and a pure modern team, even though in all sense a bhangra team, will be considered a fusion dance. The reason this is a conversion is because even traditional teams that are going the opposite direction in terms of adding modern elements are hitting a barrier. For example, many people disliked the irish jump in SGPD's jhummer and thought it was too modern.

 

[TheFilmKid]

sorry 4 confusion, its like this - i'm doing research for a project & thought i'd put this question out to u all -

suppose a new team got 2gether and in their 1st year they developed a bhangra routine for a show like bruin or socal, but then they also developed a fusion routine for something like dance-fusion, its not really against the rules right but how would they be viewed? would the other bhangra teams not really consider them legit because they do fusion too??

 

[Meistro]

Well it depends on what kind of bhangra it is. If they have a hip hoppy-bhangra segment in their fusion dance, then they definitely won't be considered legit on the bhangra scene. However, if they have a pretty traditional bhangra segment in their fusion dance, I would appreciate that. There's only one way to do bhangra, and thats the traditional way...the way it was meant to be done

 

[Danny]

There's only one way to do bhangra, and thats the traditional way...the way it was meant to be done

why does that sound so familiar? ???

 

[Temurzai]

Well it depends on what kind of bhangra it is. If they have a hip hoppy-bhangra segment in their fusion dance, then they definitely won't be considered legit on the bhangra scene. However, if they have a pretty traditional bhangra segment in their fusion dance, I would appreciate that. There's only one way to do bhangra, and thats the traditional way...the way it was meant to be done

shan thats actually not wat hes sayin.

lets say for example team SNPO goes live for Boston Bhangra. then that same group of dancers does fusion dancing (bollywood, hiphop, modern bhangra, etc all in one) at Phillyfest.

would SNPO be frowned upon by the bhangra community for their interest and attempt at fusion? and would they be frowned upon by the fusion community for their display of traditional bhangra?

i believe thats wat hes asking. i say no, first off i doubt anyone would be able to pull it off. closest thing u had to that was in fact Rishi B's 3 Rivers Bhangra and NYU Pandamonium, simultaneously started by him, for two diff categories of competition. but it wasnt exactly ALL the same kids. the connection there was the pittsburgh kids and nyu kids (rishi being of both)

if a team came out to do pure bhangra and also pure fusion at diff comps with the same roster, thatd be sick in my opinion. nothing to look down upon.

 

[TheFilmKid]

temurzai, yeah that's exactly what i was asking, thanks for ur opinion. how do other peeps feel?

 

[Jaskaran]

Well it depends on what kind of bhangra it is. If they have a hip hoppy-bhangra segment in their fusion dance, then they definitely won't be considered legit on the bhangra scene. However, if they have a pretty traditional bhangra segment in their fusion dance, I would appreciate that. There's only one way to do bhangra, and thats the traditional way...the way it was meant to be done

hahah that does sound very familiar shan..... very familiar... lol, good shit, im glad your flowin with me now

 

[Nikhil]

Before I used to think that it was a problem and that it would be displayed as a kind of "identity crisis" but honestly, who the heck cares? If you have range, you're born to dance. I say, the more the merrier. I'm waiting to see this new and improved NYU panda set, on a side note.

 

[Meistro]

Taimoor, if thats what the Little film kid was saying then theres definitely no problem there. You're just displaying your talent where its most appreciated. More power to you! And I agree, who cares? But whatever form of dance you're performing, it should be done properly. If you're a fusion team, do fusion the way its meant to be done. Same with bhangra.

 

[Temurzai]

Taimoor, if thats what the Little film kid was saying then theres definitely no problem there. You're just displaying your talent where its most appreciated. More power to you! And I agree, who cares? But whatever form of dance you're performing, it should be done properly. If you're a fusion team, do fusion the way its meant to be done. Same with bhangra.

word.