After the ESA (East Side Alliance) girls did a great job we were tempted to follow in their footsteps with the WSA (West Side Alliance).
The West Side Alliance is an all female bhangra collaboration, comprised of members from nine teams on the West Coast. The members represent UBC Girlz, Lethal Bhangra Crew (LBC), Da Real Punjabiz (DRP), Jawani Girls, Pehchaan Apni Nachdi Jandi (PANJ), National Bhangra Association (NBA), CAL Bhangra, Bay Area Royal Bhangra (BAR-B) and Allarh Mutiyaraan Punjab Diyan (AMPD). We cant wait to get on that stage and represent the unity and talent of female bhangra dancers from the West Coast.
WSA COMING SOON 2
Dancer Bios:
(UBC) Kiran Mander and Mandeep Patrola are two women all us girls thank for paving the road. They are the co-founders, coaches and choreographers of the first ever competitive girls team known as the UBC Girlz. From 2002-2008 they competed at countless competitions and brought home 17 trophies in 6 years. Their nakhra, energy and entertainment is something which no other girls team has been able to match. The UBC Girlz have performed at the Olympics, the Canadian Grammys known as the Juno awards and many others. They have judged many competitions including Bhangra Idols, VIBC and Rangla Punjab. Currently, Kiran works in HR and Mandeep in Neuropsychology. It is an honor for all of us to be a part of this with them.
(LBC) Jasmine is a household name in bhangra. She needs no introduction. She was the first female to ever be a part of an all guys team. Jasmine broke all barriers and let everyone know that she was not just a 'gimmick' but was a member of LBC. She was the captain of Michigan Bhangra Team from 2001-2005 and joined LBC in 2006. She has competed at over 20 competitions. Her nakhra and energy is unmatched and she is a role model to many of us. She has judged Elite 8 and Best of the Best. Currently Jasmine is a practicing Attorney. She is an example of how you can have it all and dont have to give up your passion.
(PANJ) Harkiran is one of the powerhouses of the bhangra circuit. In 2006 she founded PANJ and has coached all three of the PANJ teams, has led them to 11 trophies and has helped her dancers achieve many best dancer awards. HK took a very bold step in becoming the first and only female to ever coach an all guys teams. HK founded ShopBhangra and has provided vardiyan/props to over 75 teams. Harkiran is known for being one of the most 'helpful lending hands' to any team on the circuit, especially when it comes to new teams trying to make a mark. She has been selected to be on many juding panels with the most recent being Notorious. HK has her majors in Criminology and Political Science.
(PANJ) Gurveen has been known as one of the strongest female dancers to ever be a part of the circuit. From 2007-2011 Gurveen was a dancer on PANJ Girls and Coed. She has competed at 10 competitions and been a part of 4 trophies. Her energy, and nakhra were unmatched and she became known as the "short girl in pink." Gurveen was one of the most prominent faces of PANJ and her skill level is one which many still speak about. Gurveen currently resides in Calgary and is a Psychology major.
(DRP) Ravi Grewal was the captain of DRP from 2010-2011. She started competiting in 2007, and for the past 5 years has been a huge bhangra force in Socal. She was also a part of Cali Bhangra District which is an all girls team. Ravi has competed at over 17 competitions and been a part of 8 placings. Known for her facial expressions and her execution of bhangra she is a great personality and that shows on stage. Currently she is pursuing her masters in Biotechnology.
(Jawani) Bharathi is the founder,coach and choreographer of one of the first competitive girls teams out of Canada known as the Jawani Girls. From 2004- 2012 Bharathi led the Jawani Girls to 10 trophies and has competed at 25+ competitions. Bharathi with her experience has judged Bhangra Bash, Junior Idols, BC Highschool Competition and Raunak Vehre Punjab Di. Currently Bharathi is a Financial Advisor at Raymond James and a part of the Fraser Vallery Indo Canadian Business Association.
(Jawani) Jane is the co-captain of Jawani girls. She has been responsibe for all of the creative work along with the gimmicks that Jawani has become known for. She has been a part of Jawani from the beginning and has competed in over 20 competitions. Jane is known for her immense energy and stamina on stage. Currently Jane is a Registerd Nurse.
(NBA) Sessie was the founder and Captain of NBA (National Bhangra Association) from 2006-2011. NBA is recognized as one of the first competitive girls teams out of California, receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Punjabi Society of Los Angeles in 2009. Sessie has competed at 20 competitions and brought home 10 trophies. She has also judged the Bruin Bhangra Juniors Competition in 2007. Sessie is currently in her last year of graduate school completing her Master's in Social Work at California State University Northridge.
(NBA) Rshim was a part of NBA (National Bhangra Association) from 2006-2011. Known for being a base in stunts, she throws them up like its a piece of cake. She has competed at 19 competitions and has brought home 10 trophies. Rshim has judged the Virsa Juniors competition in 2008 and 2009. Rshim is currently a med school prospect.
(CAL) Chethana is one of the captains of Cal Bhangra. Since 2009 she has competed 12 competitions and been a part of 7 placings. Known for her grace and facial expressions she brings a beaming presence on stage. Last year she received a "best jodi" award at one of the competitions. Chethana is Berkeley graduate with a major in Integrative Biology.
(CAL) Ashley has been dancing with Cal Bhangra since 2009. She has competed at 12 competitions and been a part of many placings with Cal. On Cal she is the lead organizer and choreograper of all performances which are held around campus. Ashley is known for her execution and detailed movement while dancing. She prides herself on being a part of Cal. She graduated with a major in Integrative Biology.
(BAR-B) Nimi is the co- captain of BAR-B and started her Bhangra career in 2007 with Bhangra Empire. She is known to pay attention to the details of moves and the execution of them when she runs practice. In 2010 she co-founded BAR-B. She has been a part of 20 competitions and 12 placings.One of her bhangra career highlights has been being on Americas Got Talent with Bhangra Empire. She just graduated with her major in Organizational Communications and Marketing.
(BAR-B) Ravina is one of the captains and founders BAR-B. Ravina has been dancing since 2009 and started off with Bhangra Empire. Since the start of her bhangra career, Ravina has competed in several competitions and has been a part of 5 trophies. She is a great leader and a prominent bhangra figure in the California bhangra circuit. She is currently working on her major in Hospitality Management.
(AMPD) Samreen and Sukhman are a part of AMPD. AMPD is the first ever live girls team to come out of California. They have competed at many competitions over the past 2 years. They are making way for other all female live teams, especially coming from an area where girls doing bhangra is looked down upon by some judges. They believe in pure folk bhangra and that anything guys can do girls can do even better.
