Dhamaka's explosive performances light up the Grand Hall

By Cathy Hu     11/29/12 6:00pm

Explosions burst when reactive substances combine, producing bright lights, loud sounds, vibrant colors and blazing heat. Dhamaka, the Hindi word for explosion and the name of the Rice South Asian Society's annual fall cultural show, was nothing less than an explosion in every sense of the term. 

Student performers brought together elements of South Asia along with Western influences in a cultural fusion. Under brilliant stage lights, through dance-inducing music and in vividly colorful attire, Dhamaka brought the heat in a high-energy atmosphere for both performers and the audience alike. 

The turnout exceeded expectations. I imagined the event being a small crowd of people coming to support their friends in the show, but it turned out to be a well-executed and well-attended event - no free food bribes for miserly college students necessary. Over 300 students, staff and family members gathered in the Rice Memorial Center Grand Hall in anticipation of a great show. 

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Every group had its own distinct appeal, creating within each performance a comprehensive glimpse into South Asian culture. Many styles of Indian dance were showcased, from the hip-hop/Bollywood storytelling of Buh-Bam to the classical Bharatanatyam style of Natyalicious. 

"It was a great showcase of both modern and classical aspects of Indian culture," Martel College freshman Tanya Rajan said. 

A range of ages was also represented in the performances, from Martel Ka Mirchi, a dance team comprised almost solely of Martel freshmen, to Ghati Dance, consisting of seasoned seniors. Sid Richardson senior Raj Salhotra, a member of Ghati Dance and a Dhamaka veteran, looked back on his performance with nostalgia.

"It was fun to do it one final time, but sad at the same time since it was my last," he said.

Not every dancer was formally trained in Indian dance or even in dance at all, but the range of experience kept the show versatile and interesting. While Chowl Bhangra, a group that practices regularly and competes in competitions, put on nothing less than a spectacular show, other dance groups were formed by students just for this event.

"It was a rewarding yet time-consuming experience helping those who had absolutely no idea what Bollywood dancing was learn classical dance moves and gestures," Martel freshman Sanjana Puri, who choreographed for Ka Mirchi, said.

Other acts, such as duet Sur Sangam and a cappella group Basmati Beats introduced an even broader range of culture

through song. 

A crowd favorite, the fashion show, featured a variety of South Asian clothing from a local boutique as student models danced, rather than walked, down the runway. 

Dhamaka was like a series of fireworks: explosions of color lighting the darkness one performance at a time. Glittering displays in bright hues of every color in the spectrum coupled with diverse and synchronistic music and dance formed a raw energy that mesmerized me from beginning to end. Different sights, sounds and styles all culminated to one explosive showcase of talent, vivacity and culture.

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