Major Themes from the 2009-2010 Season

[faizan]

I'll start.


1. I think the biggest development this season was the shift away from a folker set, to a set that does the best to "think outside the box." A clean folk performance, a clean sgpd performance from last year, etc. is no longer good enough. For those teams that think they can simply "go more traditional" to win, your time has passed.

 

[Manjot]

I think a folk set with just couple of good creative moves that stand out can win a comp.

 

[faizan]

It can win a competition for sure. But I dont think it can win a major competition.


Fusion
Elite
Bruin
Boston
Masti
etc.

 

[Robby R]

I think a folk set with just couple of good creative moves that stand out can win a comp.

+1, in my opinion, gimmicks can't make up for a lack of a clean traditional set

 

[faizan]

Clean set with gimmicks (traditional) > clean traditional set without gimmicks, but creative moves. This is my argument.


If you disagree, tell me what the optimal set is at this moment for a fairly traditional competition. (Masti, Fusion, Elite)

 

[mafzal]

I think a folk set with just couple of good creative moves that stand out can win a comp.

I agree, I think that's the truthh^

 

[Pooja]

Clean set with gimmicks (traditional) > clean traditional set without gimmicks, but creative moves. This is my argument.

Yea I have to disagree on this one...leave the stunts/gimmicks for teams who are only good because of them.

VCU is not gimmicky...and they're clean traditional with creative moves IMO. SGPD is not gimmicky...and they are clean traditional with creative moves...NJ is also (although debatable from Elite performance but otherwise...)

You gotta still keep that Folk spirit...otherwise it's just one of those stunt/gimmicky teams that are just for entertainment to the non-bhangra audience.

 

[[Sher] Imran]

I think the trends are cyclical, and a change in trend is determined by the saturation of a certain style in the current scene. Traditional doesn't cut it, now it's traditional with a little flair. I wouldn't be surprised if it reverts back to modern at some point

 

[MPElive]

If you disagree, tell me what the optimal set is at this moment for a fairly traditional competition. (Masti, Fusion, Elite)

I don't think Fusion is a traditional competition at all. Just a reminder to all the teams, FOLK set with creativity only will not win you a competition. Needs to be super clean, executed well and crisp formations will certainly help.

 

[Jessie-V:0T]

I think a folk set with just couple of good creative moves that stand out can win a comp.

+100
Folk set, with creativity and being clean will always rule. Ya think outside the box but keep it folk @ the same time. Don't do BANDAR stunts on stage, do what ur expected to do and amaze ur audience with good bhangra, creative moves and good idea's, dont put ur hands of fire and jump off ppl and do crazy gimmikks like that.

 

[faizan]

Pooja, I think VCU is also moving with the gimmick trend. See their joker gimmick (nothing to do with bhangra).

 

[Gugu]

Depends on the competition as well... a clean traditional set with "creative/gimmicky" moves might win a comp like Fusion or Elite.. but good luck with that at a comp like DDA. For e.g. NJ last year.

Its kinda sad that nowadays you need to put gimmicky stuff in your set to make it stand out. This "creativity" is becoming sorta like how a few years back every team was going live just to win, but didn't really know how to execute a live set. Nowadays, a clean traditional set with 8 might place but wont win a comp, unless you're live and know what the hell you're doing.

Also just my 2 cents, while I like threads like these and Faizan you're solely mentioning the current major themes but I think this thread is slowly turning into "what the winning formula is these days." Discussions like these sorta turns the newer teams into the wrong direction because suddenly they start changing their style, and consequently start dancing in a way they don't really enjoy but do it just so they have a better shot at winning. This sorta defeats the purpose of bhangra, which is to have fun, and to do it the way you truly enjoy it. For example, we go with the 8 man traditional way, without doing too much "creative/gimmicky" stuff, and we truly have fun doing that. It didn't result into much success till maybe recently but we stuck with it and tried to get better at it (and still have tons of work to do). I suggest that every team that is starting out, stick to a style of bhangra that you like and envision yourselves doing, and keep getting better at it. Once you master it, it will result in success in the circuit. Ok, that's the end of my rant lol.

 

[dheerja]

One thing that's really stuck out to me this season is crazy/creative footwork. If you look at the successful teams the past few months their routines have footwork that changes every 16 beats. Random kicks, swings, stepping, etc. bring that wow factor while keeping the routine bhangra.

 

[dheerja]

Also just my 2 cents, while I like threads like these and Faizan you're solely mentioning the current major themes but I think this thread is slowly turning into "what the winning formula is these days." Discussions like these sorta turns the newer teams into the wrong direction because suddenly they start changing their style, and consequently start dancing in a way they don't really enjoy but do it just so they have a better shot at winning. This sorta defeats the purpose of bhangra, which is to have fun, and to do it the way you truly enjoy it. For example, we go with the 8 man traditional way, without doing too much "creative/gimmicky" stuff, and we truly have fun doing that. It didn't result into much success till maybe recently but we stuck with it and tried to get better at it (and still have tons of work to do). I suggest that every team that is starting out, stick to a style of bhangra that you like and envision yourselves doing, and keep getting better at it. Once you master it, it will result in success in the circuit. Ok, that's the end of my rant lol.

Totally agree. Look at all the coed/collegiate teams trying to emulate VCU and guys teams SGPD/NJ. It's obvious when a team isn't comfortable with a style.

 

[faizan]

Dheerja, you have named another theme. I agree with you. Foot Work has gone to another planet this season. Other themes? Gugu is right, there is no PERFECT set. It was a misnomer to even attempt to discuss that theme.

 

[Sukha]

Teams doing creative versions of phumaniya seems to be a trend that started last year and is still going strong.

 

[Jabar Jung]

Depends on the competition as well... a clean traditional set with "creative/gimmicky" moves might win a comp like Fusion or Elite.. but good luck with that at a comp like DDA. For e.g. NJ last year.

Its kinda sad that nowadays you need to put gimmicky stuff in your set to make it stand out. This "creativity" is becoming sorta like how a few years back every team was going live just to win, but didn't really know how to execute a live set. Nowadays, a clean traditional set with 8 might place but wont win a comp, unless you're live and know what the hell you're doing.

Also just my 2 cents, while I like threads like these and Faizan you're solely mentioning the current major themes but I think this thread is slowly turning into "what the winning formula is these days." Discussions like these sorta turns the newer teams into the wrong direction because suddenly they start changing their style, and consequently start dancing in a way they don't really enjoy but do it just so they have a better shot at winning. This sorta defeats the purpose of bhangra, which is to have fun, and to do it the way you truly enjoy it. For example, we go with the 8 man traditional way, without doing too much "creative/gimmicky" stuff, and we truly have fun doing that. It didn't result into much success till maybe recently but we stuck with it and tried to get better at it (and still have tons of work to do). I suggest that every team that is starting out, stick to a style of bhangra that you like and envision yourselves doing, and keep getting better at it. Once you master it, it will result in success in the circuit. Ok, that's the end of my rant lol.

Were you at elite bro? damn me if i didn't meet you.

 

[mafzal]

Teams doing creative versions of phumaniya seems to be a trend that started last year and is still going strong.

so true

 

[Robby R]

It's been going on for a while, but a lot of teams have variations on how they do 20 step (might also be called 20/20, or w.e they're calling it in your hood)

 

[Jeeti]

Depends on the competition as well... a clean traditional set with "creative/gimmicky" moves might win a comp like Fusion or Elite.. but good luck with that at a comp like DDA. For e.g. NJ last year.

Its kinda sad that nowadays you need to put gimmicky stuff in your set to make it stand out. This "creativity" is becoming sorta like how a few years back every team was going live just to win, but didn't really know how to execute a live set. Nowadays, a clean traditional set with 8 might place but wont win a comp, unless you're live and know what the hell you're doing.

Also just my 2 cents, while I like threads like these and Faizan you're solely mentioning the current major themes but I think this thread is slowly turning into "what the winning formula is these days." Discussions like these sorta turns the newer teams into the wrong direction because suddenly they start changing their style, and consequently start dancing in a way they don't really enjoy but do it just so they have a better shot at winning. This sorta defeats the purpose of bhangra, which is to have fun, and to do it the way you truly enjoy it. For example, we go with the 8 man traditional way, without doing too much "creative/gimmicky" stuff, and we truly have fun doing that. It didn't result into much success till maybe recently but we stuck with it and tried to get better at it (and still have tons of work to do). I suggest that every team that is starting out, stick to a style of bhangra that you like and envision yourselves doing, and keep getting better at it. Once you master it, it will result in success in the circuit. Ok, that's the end of my rant lol.

+ 50000. This is a dead on post.