siddyp said:
Compare
This VCU to
This VCU. I'd say theres a stark difference in difficulty of routine, esp from a speed standpoint, but my point is that the execution of steps is just different.
Honestly a faster set doesn't necessarily make it more difficult. Don't get me wrong I like to dance at a higher BPM but if it means you're short cutting moves, chill out because you're dancers aren't at that level or they aren't well trained enough to execute with more speed. Speed adds positive points for difficulty but can be detrimental if arms aren't at same level on a spinning Jhandu Singha where the Khunda is in one hand.
And you're right execution of steps is different but here are even some similar things that teams do but it honestly matters on how you present them.
Girl on the green on the right going into Jugni circle:
Bhangra in the Burgh 5 (2011): Virginia Di Shaan (UVA)
Girl on the right going into Jugni circle:
Capital Bhangra @ Bulldog Bhangra 2009 (1080 HD)
Both girls are going in the same way but the girl in the Capital Bhangra video presents it to me in a way that is more appealing. Execution is huge on how you want the audience to feel from that move or that lyric or that step. If you were watching your own dancers, what do they need to do with a move or something for you to watch them and be like this guy/girl is killing whether it may be nakhra, modhe, how low/wide they get etc?
siddyp said:
I'd also venture to say that the level of competition wasn't as deep back then. VCU wen't and stomped on everyone because no one could match their level of dancing, cleanliness, entertainment value, everything. Nowadays, it's difficult to find a competition where a team just blew everyone else out of the water.
The level of competition was more intense back in the day man, I agree that there are more rubric qualified teams, but if you compare big hitters then to big hitters now, people who have known this circuit for the past 10 years like myself definitely lean toward that time period. Not because there was more excitement for those individuals at that, but because those performances or sets did touch hearts. I've had teams come to me for advice on video critiques and things of that sort and sometimes my first question is "How do you think you did?", I'm astonished when I hear, "Oh....we just wanted a clean video, or a GTV video, or to just get an opportunity to be on stage with other great teams." While every team is entitled doing bhangra for their own reason, which I respect, it just comes off as a less competitive mindset than back in the day. I danced and played Dhol with friends on Northeastern University and Boston University and at that time when all these big hitting teams came to BBC, these college teams were still like "We got this let's do it, we can place our sets gonna be fire!" Having that mentality goes back to my point where nowadays people do it for weird reasons which is also a whole different can of worms lol.
siddyp said:
I think where the josh/enjoyment started to get lost was when teams were told to dance as 12 and don't let dancers overdo it on nakrah etc. So as a captain, when you're talking to your team, you say "this is what judges want, don't go nuts." Which is fine because we're there to compete. But then it falls back on captains/coaches to make sure it's taught in practice to not OD yet have great josh/nakrah.
Nakhra and ODing is something I used to actually OD a lot haha. To me a good dancer will never OD nakhra, they know how nakhrey should be done. Nakhra is a very sensitive topic because I do feel as though in order to be good at it to a certain extent you have to understand the lyrics or understand why the artist is singing the way he is. This way you execute nakhra to match a powerful song with choreo or more graceful Svaagy nakhra.
I hate forced nakhra, If you cant do more than just smile, then just smile, don't do something you're not capable of doing, but don't stop working on it! Watching people doing head bobs where they aren't natural is the worst haha. But every should do natural nakhra and I personal think natural nakhra is controlled and isn't forced ever.
Chan on the right on his second Sammi clap in red with his head is natural nakhra controlled swagged out but doesn't take away from the performance making him look different or messy:
Nachdi Jawani @ Elite 8 Bhangra Invitational 2011 (Official HD)
siddyp said:
And it also comes down to the rubric teams are dancing to. You can say "do it your own way" or "take risks" but the team should always do what it needs to do to put itself in a position to place/win. It's hard for teams to grow/gain interest in their area without showing that they are successful. Esp college teams that receive school funding. The schools will be willing to offer more money given the team actually goes and does well. (atleast this is how it worked at pitt)
Personally if independant teams got funding it would be AMAZING without having to do gigs lol. But I guess that's why independant dancers choose to dance because they'll figure it out. Even college teams who don't get funding love it so much that they'll make said sacrifices for either their disposable income to go toward bhangra or time sacrifices where they have to do extra to make that money.
And to do it your own way I'm saying follow the rubric but go beyond the rubric and be remembered for your performance. Don't settle is the big thing I want to say I guess. You can win and place if you do it your own way, I've seen it done back in the day and now.