Dancers Anisha Babbar, Shobana Shankar, Monika Ramaswamy & Ishika Seth (L-R) with Shaan

This was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular experiences for our company! Accompanying an artist like Shaan was a dream come true and the tour superseded every expectation that we had. From the first show in Vegas to the last show in L.A., it was just a whirlwind of energy, excitement and great entertainment! It was absolutely amazing to share the stage with so many talented musicians and singers — Shadab, Aishwarya and Shaan himself.

Accompanying Shaan in "Main Hoon Don"

It was fabulous to go to Vegas, after spending a week there last year for America’s Got Talent, this time to perform with one of the biggest singers in Bollywood. The show in Vegas, was confirmed last minute giving us 2 rehearsals and ‘only’ 8 songs to learn. So we rehearsed at the airport and then in the aisles on the flight, our music playing on a little portable speaker! Some people were annoyed, some highly amused and the flight attendants gave up on us after a while!

Mona Khan Company dancers with Shaan's incredible band "The Groove"

We arrived in Vegas at the beautiful Venetian hotel where we were staying and performing, only to learn that the medleys and sequences being sung were all different. The band members from Shaan’s band, The Groove, were kind enough to bring us up to speed quickly so we actually knew what was being sung on stage. But, we were warned that they may not sing all the verses, the songs would be part of medleys and a there may be lot of other variations!

Dancing to Deewangi in Munni costumes!

But what about the song order? That was also changing on the fly! So there we were all ready in our  “Munni” costumes when “Deewangi” started playing on stage! Then what, we had to go on stage to dance to “Deewangi” (which was at least 10 times faster that the original movie song!) in our “Munni” costume! But that’s show business, you just have to make it work. So we masked the internal shock we were all experiencing and jammed to the super-fast version of “Deewangi” in our “Munni” costumes!

The beautiful Chaand Sifarish

Then we were told that we had a 30-minute gap before “Chaand Sifarish.” So we were all chilling backstage (thankfully in the correct costume!) when we heard the opening notes for “Chaand Sifarish” well before the 30 minute break! We would have outrun people escaping from a raging fire or a tsunami! All you could see was a blur of yellow skirts, a flurry of peacock feather fans and somehow we made it on stage!

Creative Director Amrita Shastri emceeing the Vegas show

Besides the dancing, we were also requested to emcee the entire event! Thank goodness for Amrita Shastri, the Creative Director of the company, who was also helping us with all our costumes (just 8 full changes!) and makeup. On the spot, she became the emcee for the event. As she went over a quickly assembled script backstage in a perfect outfit that she had somehow thought of packing, it seemed like she had rehearsed it for weeks. But, right before she stepped on the stage to start the show, there was a small commotion and some guy backstage snatched her script and ran away with it! (This is not a joke!) Somehow she still managed to pull it off. All in all, Vegas was definitely a learning experience.

Mona Khan Company Team with Shadab Faridi

It was the starting point and from there we began to understand how different the next performances were going to be from anything else we had done. Shaan and his band excelled at understanding the crowd and really giving them what they wanted! So, the singers and band members could change the tempo, the lyrics, the song sequence even! Within their creative freedom we had to find a way to let the dance change and evolve as necessary and somehow stay synchronized too. Despite the craziness, people still liked us and we were asked to prepare an opening act for the rest of the shows!

Mona Khan Company dancers accompanying Aiswarya Majmudar

From Vegas we went back to the Bay, rehearsed some more, and then before we knew it, it was time for the Phoenix show. Phoenix was hot! Literally! We were all roasting in the over 100 degree weather. We just about had time to do a quick blocking on stage at the Mesa Arts Center and then began the process of getting dressed. We did an opening act to begin the show in Phoenix!

Creative Director Amrita Shastri rocking it out with Shaan

It was just amazing to watch Shaan’s natural charm and ease on stage and to hear some of our favorite songs, right from the wings! We were dancing to every song, whether we were on or off stage. At some point while were up to our usual madness, suddenly Shaan came towards the wings and pulled Amrita on stage for a rock and roll number. Half-embarrassed, half-excited, she danced with him.

In Phoenix, we also got a chance to interact with Shaan after the show, and realized that not only is he a fabulous artist but an amazing, down-to-earth person with such a positive outlook.

Mona Khan Company dancers and emerging performers in the opening act

From Phoenix we came back home to the Bay Area, for what turned out to be one of the highlights of the tour, both for us and Shaan and his crew. We of course, had the support of our students and fans which made the show so much more special. We were also able to add more dancers and make the opening act truly grand, involving our Emerging Performers as well as company dancers, about 75 performers! The show at the gorgeous San Jose Center for Performing Arts, began with our dancers setting the stage on fire…the energy of the band, the artists and the audiences was electrifying!

Given Shaan’s amazing ability, his genuine smile and generosity as a

Mona Khan joins Shaan on stage

performer, it was no surprise that the audience fell in love with him and  loved the show! It was a humbling experience when Shaan acknowledged the dancers and invited our Artistic Director Mona Khan to join him on stage. Shaan and Mona go back a long way to when Mona danced in Bombay; she herself has performed with Shaan numerous times! After the Bay Area show, Shaan and his band told us that it was a magical experience for them due to the undeniable energy in the audience and on stage.

It was with a sense of achievement that we set off for L.A. for the final show and the end of the Shaan Se tour. We arrived at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and by this time,

Mona Khan Company Bacha Emerging Performers with Shaan

the show just felt really comfortable, like it was part of us, though it was still as exciting of course! It was a smaller theater and an earlier show, a less motivated audience but some how Shaan had the entire house rocking! By this time we had developed a synergy with the entire crew so the feeling of the show was just different. We all came together as one unit. There was one point in the show when a percussionist Anupam Ghatak signaled the dancers to join him and play the drums on stage. We of course thought that he was kidding until he actually walked off stage! We were quite tempted to go but figured it was best if we just stick to dancing!

L-R: Mona Khan Company dancers Monika Ramaswamy, Ishika Seth, Anisha Babbar & Shobana Shankar with Aishwarya Majmudar

Each show was just so memorable and despite almost no sleep at night, once the music began we were just ready! Besides the honor of sharing the stage with these artists and hearing their positive feedback, it was also a time to build friendships and connect as artists. Our only regret was not having had another 10 shows together!

As we left L.A. and said our last goodbyes there were so many mixed feelings. All we hope is that we can work together again in the near future with Shaan and his crew. Shaan said that our dancing and involvement did wonders for his show and enhanced his presentation as a world-class artist…and there can be no greater compliment!

To hear Shaan talk about Mona Khan Company click here

To see more pictures of the Shaan Se Tour click here

Hello Seattle!

Even though we have ventured to other states to perform, most of our work has been focused in the Bay Area. Needless to say, we were extremely excited to be invited to perform at Everett College in Seattle. Not only was this out of state but in the college circuit, an avenue we hadn’t really explored. In addition, this was going to be a combination of a performance, a  workshop, and a Q & A session!

Mona Khan Company dancers with belly dancer Ashley Lopez who joined us from Oregon

The Everett programming department wanted something more traditional for this cultural exchange so we chose our acts accordingly. Our challenge: bring Bollywood to the city of Everett. A traditional filmy act, an ‘item medley’, a bhangra act and last but not least was our America’s Got Talent act combined with the crowd favorite “Jai Ho.” We also had with us our secret weapon and emcee Akhil Joondeph, make up artist Ruby Walia and the dynamic belly dancer Ashley Lopez, who flew straight from Oregon to join us. Dhol players from Seattle also joined us on stage for this mega event.

Company Dancer Jayanth Chakravarty & Operations Director Chitra Selvaraj, setting up early morning

Part of the team flew to Seattle the day before the show to start setting up in the theater early on Friday morning: meeting the production & technical crew, talking about fly systems, spot lights, green rooms and so much else. The rest of the group reached Seattle the morning of the show and went straight to the theater. We were welcomed by the enthusiastic Everertt College team and we got to see their fabulous theater that could seat over a 1000 people.

After a quick technical rehearsal we started our ritual: curling hair, getting our makeup and putting our elaborate costumes and accessories in place for several quick changes between acts.

Off the plane and into the technical rehearsal

Before we knew it, it was time for the performance.

Costume coordinator Heena Joshi in her element

Adrenaline, energy, excitement! It was so encouraging to see a full theater – as we weren’t sure how many people would be interested in seeing a Bollywood show.  Traditionally our audiences are pre-dominantly the Indian community. In Seattle, we had a majority of non-Indians – and what a responsive and interactive crowd they turned out to be! It was amazing to share Indian pop culture and our vision of Bollywood with them and it was exciting to see them enjoy the performance and be able to relate to the energy of Bollywood. Their enthusiastic support, encouraging comments and roaring applause made our day!

When we started the dance workshop on stage, people flocked on to the stage, excitement written all over their face. From toddlers to seniors – the stage was absolutely packed! Amrita Shastri guided them through a simple Bollywood routine. The routine incorporated signature Bollywood moves like thumkas and stomps, and soon the entire stage was pulsating with energy. We chose one of our customized Bombay Jam mixes, that combined “Where’s the party tonight” with a Black Eyed Peas song, and we all rocked the stage together. There is nothing like sharing the joy of dance with so many people, especially such a dynamic group who eased into the Bollywood groove so effortlessly!

Then there was a Q & A session and we were pleasantly surprised by the number of questions that people had. Amrita Shastri chatted with the audience and answered questions ranging from questions about specific acts and the preparation involved, to those about Bollywood as a dance form. The most hilarious question was someone asking, “Is kissing not allowed in Bollywood?”

Emcee Akhil Joondeph giving autographs after the show!

Another highlight of the evening was the emcee Akhil Joondeph’s presentation about Bollywood. With the help of audio visuals, he discussed the evolution of Bollywood, from its humble beginnings to where it has become a global presence. The black and white movie era, to the rock and roll of the seventies, the action packed eighties, the domination of the romantic movies in the nineties and the melting pot that contemporary Bollywood has become. Easily winning the hearts of every member in the audience, six-year old Akhil was incredibly cute but also poised and articulate, a true performer. He brought to life the history and evolution of Bollywood, the grandeur of the past and the eclecticism of the present.

Time to pack up! Dancers Deepak Sinha & Amit Patel

Exploring Seattle

Overall, it was just a fantastic experience. The support that the Everett Community provided us was wonderful. They were really appreciative of our work just as we were of their professionalism. In a blink, it was time to leave and costumes were folded and returned, backdrops struck and everything packed up.

The day after the show, we had the day all to ourselves so we set out to explore the beautiful city of Seattle after a lazy morning and a leisurely breakfast. From the first-ever Starbucks to the breathtaking views at Needle Point, the lively downtown, the quaint Pike Place Market and the delicious food, Seattle captured our hearts.

Eating enough for an army..,wait! we are an army!

We hope to go back and continue to spread the love for Bollywood dance and entertainment!

Comments on the Mona Khan Company fan page:

“Excellent Performance last night! It was fun working with you guys, and watching the show.” – Jacob Padgett

“I loved your performance last night, I brought my sister in-law along and we had a great time!

I think we all wish we had an opportunity to learn and express ourselves through dance, it was very inspiring. I bet you would be very successful if you branched out in this area =0)” – Maitita Ozalez A

Mona Khan company dancers with Costume Coordinator Heena Joshi, Operations Director Chitra Selvaraj & makeup artist Ruby Walia

“Best show EVER this weekend in Washington. Always honored to be featured with this incredible troupe…and what a fabulous audience too!!!” – Ashley Lopez

Instructors Shobana Shankar & Ishika Seth with the Jeena kids and moms at the Jeena premises in Milpitas

When we started the Mona Khan Company, we knew that we wanted to be involved in the community; to make a difference, however small it may be.We often perform for non-profit organizations and fundraisers but we wanted to get involved more directly. Rather than skim the surface of numerous causes, we decided to focus on two: Jeena and Jollywood.

Jeena is an organization for children with developmental disabilities, and their families. “Why Jeena?” I remember asking Mona Khan, when we had just started teaching there. “Because everyone must pick their cause. This is mine,” she had said. Our involvement in Jeena is a class that we conduct once a week for the kids, while a simultaneous class is held for the moms. The whole point is to provide an environment where the kids can EXPRESS themselves, have a BLAST dancing to Bollywood music, make FRIENDS, gain CONFIDENCE, and just BE themselves.

Breathe, focus, meditate, relax: the kids meditating at the end of the class, at Jeena

Shobana Shankar, who has been teaching these kids, since we first began this initiative, always talks about how far they have come. There was a time when just keeping them attentive was difficult. Now they MEDITATE for an entire song, at the end of the class. “They don’t need to be told, or guided. They just KNOW it,” says Shobana, her face beaming with pride. Their ability to pick up new steps, their confidence, their spatial awareness, all excite and amaze us. But the best part is their enthusiasm and love for the STAGE. From the lights to the glittering costumes, they just can’t get enough of it! Their first performance was UNFORGETTABLE. We were nervous as to how they would react in front of hundreds of people; whether they would get distracted, intimidated, or anxious. But they were just so joyous that it brought tears to our eyes. From their stage debut to now, they have become seasoned performers, who know the expectations of a stage performance. They stand still as the curtain opens, and hold their final pose, till it closes. We were delighted at their first performance but they have surpassed it by MILES now.

Jeena kids with Junior Emerging Performers Shivani Walia, Nishtha Bhatia & Akshay Savale; backstage at "Jeena Yahan"

In class, we use bright colored circular mats, with the kids’ names on them and place these on the floor. At the beginning of the class, they stand on their respective mats and the class begins. One of the biggest challenges was to keep them in their places and for them to stay FOCUSED. With the use of the circles, and constant practice, this has become much easier. The parents have been a great source of support and encouragement, often giving us invaluable tips, on how to keep their kids interested and excited. They would often ask us to play a certain song and suddenly a child who refused to dance would be instilled with enthusiasm. Now of course, we are flooded with REQUESTS. They want to dance and perform to their favorite songs. From old Hindi songs, to the latest numbers and even songs from movies like “The Lion King, ” the kids embrace it all.

Rocking it out at the Mona Khan Company Fall Showcase 2010

Encouragement and positive feedback goes a long way, so by being patient, attentive and supportive, we are able to bring out the best in them. It is a constant learning process, where we have to be aware of INDIVIDUAL needs. Kittu is bothered by loud noises, so he wears headphones to filter the noise, and is always positioned furthest away from the boom box. Raj could barely move his hand. By constantly reminding him, and then standing next to him and helping him to extend; 2 sessions later, he is a different dancer! Some students need stickers and stamps to motivate them and time outs to keep them in check!

Hanging out at Jeena: kids and moms with instructors Shobana Shankar & Ishika Seth

Initially the moms would constantly be overlooking the kids’ class but now they are able to enjoy their own dance experience (with instructor Ishika Seth), while the kids are immersed in theirs. It is great for them to have an hour in the week dedicated to their own enjoyment and fitness.

In fact, it is the kids now, who often barge into their moms’ class during water breaks (to dance freestyle to the song the moms are learning!). There is an intermingling of cheering and songs, instructions and laughter. Besides their separate songs, we like to have one song in which the kids and the moms dance TOGETHER. It is incredibly special for them and for us, to see them jamming together on stage. They perform on stage for our student showcases as well as their annual show “Jeena Yahan.” Initially we had  a few Junior Emerging Performers dance with them so they could guide them. Now, they don’t need that guidance but it is still fun for the Jeena kids to interact with them.

Dancing together for a few years, we have learnt a lot about these kids. (fun facts about them are listed below!) Even as we can see the changes in the kids, we know that we are irrevocably changed by our interaction with them. The experience has been greatly rewarding and Jeena has become a huge part of our lives. We wanted to make a small contribution but in the process, our own lives have been enriched.

Fun Facts about the superstars:

Kittu and Adit: The importance of friendship (after class at Jeena)

Jazzie has an amazing memory. Tell her your birthday once and she will always remember it. Her mother complains about it, saying that Jazzie will remember everyone’s birthdays and force her to buy things for them!

Ozzie is mature and responsible. Always the least trouble and a fabulous dancer!

Kittu creates magic as soon as his fingers touch the piano keys.

Anisha recently baked delicious cupcakes for her birthday. She always has a smile on her face!

Adit learns a Hindi song every week and sings for all the kids, as they clap along.

Mano is like dynamite; tons of energy packed into his little self.

Gagan is the Captain of the class. She is always providing advice, usually unsolicited!

Jasjit is responsible for putting the colored circular mats. He dances really well and complains just as much!

Nirali is a natural dancer. She has charming expressions, and her love for dance shines though.

Rowan is just a stud! His expressions are priceless. He is going to break many hearts when he grows up. He was very sad when Shobana got married!

Rowan always peeks to see whether Shobana is watching them (during class at Jeena)

Rishabh is very talented. Besides being a great singer and dancer, he is extremely  loving. He always has a smile on his face and a hug to offer anyone and everyone.

Ankit is really calm. His smile can light up your day!

Sanjana makes a special appearance as an audience member. She loves watching everyone dance, especially her mom.

(Check them out in action on our Spring Student Showcase on May 22)

What the Jeena Moms have to say:

“I joined dancing just a month ago inspired by the enthusiasm of the instructor, Ishika Seth and my friends already in the class. I had never danced before but in one month I learnt the steps and performed on stage. Wow! it has energized me so much that I am going to continue the classes. My spirits are soaring!”  — Rajashree Hangal

“A couple of reasons why we like Mona, Shobana & Ishika-

The Jeena moms bring back the Disco era (Mona Khan Company Fall Student Showcase 2010)

1. Always a positive attitude– yes we/you can.
2. Always on time
3. Encouraging — always find something positive that the student has learned
4. A very contagious smile- always
I can go on & on…” — Suman Kumar

“Mona Khan Company has been a great opportunity for my daughter, Nirali, to showcase her dance skills. The dance teachers are very patient and very understanding. It has given all our kids at Jeena, a chance to shine”— Sonal Gandhi

After class at Jeena: kids and moms with instuctors Shobana Shankar & Ishika Seth

“Dancing with Mona Khan Company is a sense of freedom for me. As a working mom with 2 kids and an extremely tough career, I find that my weekly sessions with Mona’s company release me from my boundaries. For people like me who love to dance but are clumsy, uncoordinated and love social interaction, this is a perfect medium to let yourself loose to some fun dance moves and titillating music. Of course the added bonus is to perform on stage and feel the pulsating upliftment. Thank you for being a part of my life. ” — Prabha Cheruvalath

“Hats off to Mona Khan Company. Every week they donate their time, love and energy at Jeena, to teach our kids the Mona  Khan style of dancing. Kids love it and moms love it too, the moms get to learn dance, exercise and de-stress in another room while the kids are having a blast with their teacher in their room.” — Beejal Gajjar

“Mona Khan Company has selflessly worked with our special needs children at Jeena.  The instructors are so enthusiastic and fun-loving.  Their energy is contagious.  Our kids just love their instructors and look forward to the class every week.  Dance with Mona Khan Company has promoted social development of our kids and brought our families together.  Mona has also integrated typical peer interaction, which is so very precious!  We moms also love taking a break once every week and enjoying the dance class.  We enjoy getting our share of exercise and connecting with the other moms.  Simply awesome experience altogether.  We love Mona Khan Company!” — Jeena Mom

Coming back from Vegas was like waking from a DREAM. We had made it to the Top 48 out of 70,000 acts, all over America. The import of that began to sink in. We had taken our performance to the next level in Vegas,  but we had to OUTSHINE that in L.A.

We took one week to focus on the Ethnic dance Festival in San Francisco and found ourselves back in the studio right after. Once again we began with training and technique, partnering and lifts. We were determined to have at least four couples doing lifts and stunts. This led to several bruises or BATTLE SCARS as we like to call them. Girls slamming on the floor during ‘death drops’, too much momentum in the Swing lifts causing heads to slam on the floor, hands and legs flying in the ‘helicopter lift’ as the boys threw the girls in the air and caught them. There was so much PAIN and soreness, FEAR of injury and sheer exhaustion but our FAITH in each other, our relentless DRIVE and our HUNGER to learn and excel, kept us going.

Battle Scars!

Then there was a germ of an idea that we began working with. It soon blossomed into an entire act. We designed the sets, props and the overall vision. It was based on a  song from the musical “Moulin Rouge.” After hours of conceptualization and discussion, we submitted this idea to the America’s Got Talent producers. We were told that the Moulin Rouge soundtrack was almost IMPOSSIBLE to use due to copyright issues. It was frustrating news! We were BACK where we started from! We began researching and identifying music that would work with the concept. “Bombay Dreams” seemed apt but we were told to add a more popular song. We rejected “California Girls” and other songs that were suggested to us and  finally chose Black Eyed Peas’ “Pump it.”

Temporary risers for rehearsals

We combined Contemporary Bollywood with Swing and Hip Hop Dance-inspired movements to create our Top 48 act. We had props, risers and a plethora of movement. We got mock risers built for the rehearsals, even though the actual levels in L.A. were being provided by the AGT Team. We actually rented a studio in Fremont so we could accommodate our entire team of 22 and finally rehearse the entire work together and not in sections, as we had done earlier, due to a lack of space.

Brian and I began taking aerial classes for the opening section of “Bombay Dreams” and had a short routine on aerial silks that would open the piece. The weeks flew by and before we knew it, it was time to leave.

L.A. Week (Prepations, Rehearsals and Interviews)

With Future Funk

We arrived in L.A. just as the results from the first week were being announced. We met Future Funk and Defying Gravity and slowly found out who else had made it to the semi-finals. Simultaneously, we began wondering who we would be competing with. As the night unfolded, we met AscenDance, Ronith and SF Cheer. There were still 8 more performers in our week, who we would meet next morning.

Creative Director Amrita Shastri coordinates the wardrobe

Unlike the inertia filled days of waiting in Vegas, L.A. was literally lights, camera, ACTION! Every morning we woke up and convened in the parking lot to warm up together. Once we got to the studios, there were wardrobe meetings, hair and makeup trials, with the top people in the industry. Unlike the Vegas round, for which we had sown our own foot accessories for 14 girls, the wardrobe crew provided us with gorgeous

Company dancers Monika Ramaswamy & Ishika Seth get their hairdo trial

accessories which they fit for EACH dancer. They worked with our Creative Director Amrita Shastri to get the desired look. We didn’t have to spend hours curling our hair; someone actually STYLED it for us!

We felt extremely PRIVILEGED! But being dancers, the most incredible experience of all, were the CHOREOGRAPHY sessions.We had BRIAN FRIEDMAN of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame, and his creative crew consisting of Chris Dupre and Tucker,work with us. We also spotted Mia Michaels, outside the studio and were rendered SPEECHLESS. It was extremely HUMBLING and HEARTENING to get the appreciation of these inspiring choreographers.

With Brian Friedman's creative team Chris Dupre & Tucker

Time and time again, a one hour session would be over in 20 minutes, because they felt we were on top of our stuff. They barely made a suggestion, and we incorporated it INSTANTLY. Of course, they didn’t know that every evening we booked a studio and rehearsed for hours, on our own as well.

They gave valuable inputs enhancing and editing our choreography, and then we were told that the aerial section could not happen due to logistical issues. So we needed a NEW opening! Meanwhile, we found out that the stage had a grate around it, so dancers were getting cut and grazed. We had to RESTAGE things. It was extremely TRYING, and physically and mentally exhausting. We had to to do the piece repeatedly, for choreographers, camera angles, Nick Cannon and whoever else needed to see it. But through all the hard work, we were dazzled by the talent and professionalism around us, not to mention the production value of the show.

Late night rehearsal at the CBS studio

The production of the show BLEW us away. The lighting was absolutely STUNNING and they were willing to provide all kinds of special effects. We were really excited to be able to use Pyros, as most theaters have severe restrictions for the use of fire. The LED screens, the backdrop parting in the center to let performers through, and the entire setup belonged to a different league of performance production. We were determined to do justice to it.

In addition to the our self-imposed pressure to be the BEST we were capable of being, there were the other fabulous artists. We knew we had really tough competitors but spending time together every day, sharing stories, laughter and tears and being crazy as artists must be, we developed deep FRIENDSHIPS. There was an environment of mutual respect, appreciation and support. Reality TV competitions often show cutthroat competitiveness and cattiness, but for us the experience was quite different.

Top 48 Live Show

Manicures & Pedicures in Hollywood

After days of rehearsals, shooting and interviews, the performance day dawned on us. The previous day all the girls (even the little ones!) went to get manicures and pedicures. It was deliciously relaxing and a relief to be away from the preparation mania for a day. Not to mention we had sparkling clean and MATCHING finger and toe nails by the end of it!

The next day we had early start. We warmed up in the parking lot, trying to avoid the butterflies that had lodged themselves in our stomachs. The air was thick with anxiety as we went to the studio to get our performance slots. After a morning filled with hair and makeup appointments, it was time! We lined up backstage, just as the audiences were lining up to enter the studio. It was heartwarming to see so many SUPPORTERS who had come from the Bay Area to watch and cheer for us. It is hard to explain that exquisite feeling, when we saw FAMILIAR faces in that tense environment!

The live show interview

We were early in the lineup but did hear some buzzing. The judges were being predictably HARSH. We stretched for the last few minutes, held hands, hugged and then we were led on to the stage. The show began with the visuals of our journey from the L.A. Audition, to Las Vegas and then to the Top 48 show! The music began and at that instant, the dance TOOK OVER. The movement was PART of us. 1 minute and 30 seconds was ALL we had to show out talent and win peoples’ hearts.

Bringing Bollywood to Hollywood

Drenched in sweat, we lined up in front of the judges for their comments. They kept contradicting each other! “More traditional dance..more Black eyed Peas, you will definitely be coming back…if you are lucky enough to come back…” and so on. Piers and Sharon were impressed; Howie said he preferred our earlier routines. The audiences however, gave us a STANDING OVATION. We left the stage, with MIXED feelings, and came out to meet Mona. Her opinion was more important than any of the judges’ and she was PROUD of us. That was all that mattered!

The applauding audience

We flocked to the feedback monitor outside where the other performers cheered for us. There were actually a few people in tears who said we had touched their hearts. It was MAGICAL! Soon we went back to the hotel to watch the live show. We knew we had a lot of support, but would it be ENOUGH? We saw comments on Facebook of people frantically voting for us; there was even a group created in our support!

That night was a difficult one, filled with the anxiety of anticipation. The hours crawled by but the day of the results show did eventually arrive.

The Results Show

Dressed once again in full costume and makeup, we sat backstage with all the other performers. SF Cheer began singing “Lean on Me” and eventually every person in the room was SINGING. The PERFECT way to ease tension! We all sang our hearts out until it was time for silence. The producers asked us to sit with our groups because we all had INTERMINGLED. Half of our lot were with SF Cheer, AscenDance were with Wreckless, Strong Man sat with Antonio Restivo. Slowly we found our way back to our spots, the numbness seeping in once again.

Backstage Euphoria

The show began and we were the very FIRST group called on stage with Ronith and AscenDance. We knew AscenDance had tremendous support but there was still a glimmer of hope. We walked on stage; some of us already in tears. (Piers always commented on our smiles, he didn’t realize we teared up almost as often!) Nick Cannon asked the judges their opinions. In retrospect, for all the other groups, the judges had stated their opinion on who they thought had made it, before the audience voting results were announced. In our case, Piers’ only said who he thought had NOT made it. That did not change anything! The results were announced and AscenDance made it through. We left the stage, sad and disappointed, but knowing we had done EVERYTHING we could have, given the constraints we were working with.

Awaiting the results

The interviews did NOT stop. We were asked how we felt, what we thought, where we were going and so on. We were disappointed! we knew Bollywood was still a niche form, but we also knew that we had taken one step forward in making it more MAINSTREAM. We had also stayed true to ourselves. People had urged us to make up stories, create drama and add the emotional spice to gain more camera time and votes. But that belongs in Bollywood movies! We did not want to COMPROMISE. At the same time, it hurt that we had given it our all, but it wasn’t enough…

America’s Got Talent had captured our imagination, time and energy for so many months that there were this feeling of emptiness. This question of “WHAT NOW?” It was the end, or so we thought at that point. Now, several months later, we know, it was not the end but the BEGINNING. A Beginning that led us to new horizons, renewed visions and new journeys. America’s Got Talent gave us national exposure and allowed us to reach audiences, we would never have been able to reach otherwise. But it gave us so much MORE. It helped us push ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. We have always been dreamers but we began to stretch even our dreams.

This is JUST the beginning…

To watch our Top 48 Live Show video click here

To see more pictures of our Top 48 Live Show experience click here

“See you in Vegas!” Piers’ words made the America’s got Talent competition seem so much more real. We were IN. The first audition had been just one day, with minimum preparation. Vegas was going to be an entire WEEK with contestants from ALL OVER AMERICA!

We barely got back to the Bay Area, and immediately started brainstorming. Being a fairly versatile Bollywood Dance company, and having a vast repertoire that ranges from Classical and filmy dances to those that are more Hip Hop or Contemporary based, we pondered about which direction we wanted to go in. After a lot of discussion, research, sleepless nights and ENDLESS  cups of coffee, we decided to do a fusion of Hip Hop and Bharatnatyam and add the typical Bollywood flavor to it.

Our flight lands in Vegas

A few of us began conceptualizing the piece, and we started training three times a week, for several hours. Technique, flexibility, partnering and stunts; we pushed ourselves to a whole new level. Those were days of incredible soreness, constant fatigue, but a RELENTLESS drive kept us going. Not to mention this was during our Spring Student Performance quarter. So almost all of us had several classes to teach and the Junior Emerging Performers had several new works to learn for the showcase. Beat and BROKEN, we’d reach classes and could not say a WORD to anyone about this!

During all this, Amrita was swimming through enormous stacks of paperwork that were needed for the competition. The legalities that had to be dealt with would have made any lawyer CRINGE.  Some of us were watching every possible episode of America’s Got Talent to see what the show was all about! The songs also,  had to be pre-approved, due to copyright issues which added another chaotic dimension. After email chains that would put the Great Wall of China to SHAME, and conference call hours to match, our songs were approved! “Boom Boom Pow” by Black eyed Peas and “Nahi Tere Jeha Hor Jisda” by Rishi Rich.

The fabulous Palms Resort

The Junior Emerging Performers

After weeks of being in the studio, we finally had an ELECTRIC MIX and it was time to begin the choreography. Mona Khan, Shannon Hanly (our resident Hip Hop Choreographer and teacher) and Krisuan (another fabulous Hip Hop choreographer), began working on the piece, based on Mona’s vision. Monika and I added inputs when needed, so it was a huge MELTING POT of ideas and creativity.

As time rushed by, we found out that we had to leave one day after our showcase. There was a CATCH! We did not know when we’d be back from Vegas. They told us we could be sent back in a few hours, a day or at the end of the week. Only time would tell!

THE VEGAS WEEK

DAY 1:

Hello Las Vegas!

Somehow we survived the four student shows over two days, rehearsed on Monday, and Tuesday morning we were in Vegas. We arrived in Vegas and were taken to the fabulous Palms Resort and Casino, where we were to stay. This time, besides the 22 dancers, we had 10 parents accompanying the kids. We barely arrived at the hotel lobby, when we were told that we had less than an hour to rehearse our routine. We abandoned our luggage right there and rushed to rehearsal.

Company dancers Ishika Seth, Maya Seshadri & Nikita Patel

We came out of rehearsal and were told that we had to be ready in costume and makeup in a few hours. Only the adults were called because the kids had to go to SCHOOL. Yes! There was part-time school for all minors who participated in the competition. Our kids were NOT happy. They whined and complained but were dragged off to school. (It was a a legal requirement!) The rest of us got through that first day of waiting and shooting.

DAY 2:

We woke up at 6:00 am, and reported to the holding area. After hours of waiting we were taken to the theater. The theater was BREATHTAKING. Sitting in the audience seats, we were ITCHING to just get on that stage and tear it apart. We also finally got to see the other participants, some whom we had met at the LA audition. There were funky costumes, ludicrous accessories, mad makeup; just a lot of unique artists with incredible talent.

All the performers wait for the judges' verdicts

We were divided into three sections, there was no way to tell on what basis. (but having watched past seasons we knew there was a reason!) After a few more hours, the judges arrived. We waited with baited breath as they announced that we were group A and the judges’ FAVORITES. We would perform and after they picked the groups who would proceed, they would look at group B. I looked over at Group C. Right in front sat the kids from Future Funk and the dancer Haspop, both of whom we had seen in L.A. There was no way they were going home already! Sure enough, the judges announced that were going straight to Hollywood. We were not even intimidated that 10 spots were GONE out of 48! We were just happy that we would be performing. All the dancers would have been disappointed if we didn’t get to perform, EVEN if we went straight through!

Connecting before our performance

We were looking forward to getting some food and crashing early so we would be fresh for the performance, the next day, when we were told that we would be performing that very night. We had to look at a board to see who we were competing with (they had divided us into categories) and we were listed with Bhangra Empire, a Bay Area based Bhangra group and Kruti Dance, an Atlanta based Bharatnatyam group.

So we rushed back to our rooms, began the usual dressing up ritual. Few hours later, we were all charged up and reported to the holding area. We warmed up, rehearsed, sat down, dozed off. This cycle repeated many times, in many different rooms. Many more hours later, sometime late at night, we were told we were on. We frantically tried to re-focus, re-energize, re-rehearse. And it was FINALLY time!

Gotta Get that!

We were led backstage along with Bhangra Empire and Kruti Dance. Bhangra Empire went on first while we watched them on a feedback monitor. Then was our turn. After hours of waiting, we were just BURSTING to perform; all nervousness and apprehension had melted away! We went on stage and danced our hearts out. Months of hard work culminating in 1 minute 30 seconds where we put in EVERYTHING we had and MORE. We finished our piece and stood in front of the judges awaiting their comments. They said almost NOTHING! We went back stage again and the producers said we were acting like “we had already won.” It is hard to explain the immense satisfaction you get when after killing yourself in the studio, the performance is EXACTLY what you had had aspired towards. It is when dreams and reality meet. That was how we felt at that point. We watched Kruti Dance perform and then we were all led away.

Tired, relieved, excited, we began discussing our chances. It was hard to tell. We had strong competitors, each group excelling in their style. We had no idea what the judges’ were looking for. We had done our best.

Day 3:

The Company, Junior Emerging Performers and parents

For once we had a late start; we slept in, lounged around and were told that we would probably have the day off. At 1:00pm just as we were making plans to hit a famous Vegas buffet, we were asked to report to the holding area. In JUST two hours! Now a few hours may seem like a lot of time. (For a lot of people in regular clothes who were singers it would take a few minutes to be ready) For 22 dancers who had to do full makeup, pin up random costume accessories, curl our hair and more, few hours is HIGH STRESS! The only person probably more elaborate than us was Prince Poppycock. (who was always flawless!)

We got there at 4:00pm and waited around for a few hours. We thought we would be told the results. It would have been our last day in Vegas, but then we were told we were done for the day. Nothing happened!

So we went out to the strip with the whole troupe, and generally enjoyed Vegas. Being in the holding area for days, we had forgotten what it was like to be outside.

Day 4:

Another early start, another day of waiting. Then suddenly at noon, we were told we were done for the day. By now we were used to the unpredictability of things. We went to lunch and to the pool and through it all, we kept our hair curled and makeup on. We packed in a great lunch, synchronized swimming, jacuzzi time, lounging around, drinks with pop rocks all in a few hours.

Day 5:

This was the last day in Vegas. We knew it was time for results. We woke early, got dressed and began the familiar waiting game. And then we were led to the backstage area, along with Bhangra Empire and Kruti Dance. We were to go on stage first; we figured that three large groups would be hard to fit together. It was amazing how quickly the euphoria from the performance EVAPORATED. Three days later, we were no longer sure what was going to happen. We stood rooted to center stage, awaiting the verdict.

The second before it registered that we had made it!

The judges just STARED at us for what seemed like eons. It was so intimidating to just stand there while they studied us. There was NOTHING we could say or do. This was it. We just had to wait. We clutched at each others’ hands, some of us were ready to pass out. Then the judges began talking.

They spoke about how this was one of the toughest choices for them as each group was very strong, Piers told us to keep our smiles. (this is when I started crying!) They said there could be one spot, two spots or NO SPOT for these three groups. Their words were encouraging, but the kind of encouragement you give someone, as you are rejecting them. “Mona Sampath Dance Company…” said Piers, and after the LONGEST pause in the world he completed his sentence, “…you are going to Hollywood.”

Tears of joy!

We were ECSTATIC! The parents who were waiting at the door, heard our screams before they even saw us. We laughed, we cried, we rejoiced. We started chanting “Mona..Mona…,” celebrating our amazing mentor who had flown back to the Bay earlier that day, to make it for the TIECON show, where another group of our company dancers were performing, that VERY NIGHT. Amrita followed her soon after the results, with her large suitcase crammed with costumes, that could now be used for TIECON. We called Mona and the rest of the company to share the excitement of that UNFORGETTABLE moment. We had made it to the Top 48, out of the THOUSANDS of performers who had auditioned!

Day 6: The happiest group in the world made their way back to the Bay!

See MORE pictures of the amazing Vegas experience in our Media Gallery

Gathering the troops before boarding the bus.

Saturday, March 6th. At 9am Amrita called me in the morning while I was still asleep. My first instinct was panic! That is my standard reaction any time I get an early morning  work call  (we usually function late at night!). “So we are going for the America’s Got Talent audition,” was the unexpected topic of conversation.

We were scheduled to be in Portland for the audition the following Tuesday, which gave us a week and a half.  We started planning our lives accordingly. And then a few days later, we found out that we had to go to Los Angeles instead, that too in LESS than a WEEK. Seriously! Bright Side? We were planning to do an existing routine from our repertoire –  “Jai Ho.” Whew! Even though it was the same routine, Mona decided to ENHANCE it, REMIX it and add some new elements…of course! So we met in the studio and began to work on the task at hand. We could only have three rehearsals as we were completely booked the weekend we got the news. At two rehearsals we were missing dancers because they had classes to teach! So that Friday in March arrived – and our ONLY rehearsal with the whole team. We rehearsed all evening at ICC, meanwhile completing a TON of paperwork that was needed by NBC! As we rehearsed, all the once separate elements came together…our junior Emerging Performers knew exactly when to sprint: Brian was flipping right THERE!  So we knit together all the threads and that was it! We were READY. We grabbed a quick bite and the chartered bus to LA arrived.

The very excited Emerging Performers!

Our first road trip together and we were SUPER excited! There were mini TVs in the bus and the driver  had an MJ dvd (interestingly, he had chauffeured Michael Jackson around a few times!).  We grooved to “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” a PERFECT beginning to this road trip. After a while, we were told that the lights would be out and we needed to sleep. Reluctantly we agreed to “rest” and passed out pretty quickly. In the wee hours of the morning, we arrived at the Westin.

After our rooms and roommates were assigned, some of us attempted to hang out once again. Again, we were reminded that this was NOT a holiday and we only had about three hours to sleep.

L-R: Anu Varshneya, Rohit Sudhir, Sejal Vora

Saturday Morning! Mona had requested two wake up calls in each room (we were unaware of this!), which were massively annoying combined with the cell phone alarms that JANGLED us awake. At 8:15 am, Chitra was outside our door, super bright and chirpy, asking (demanding?) us to wake up. We crawled out of bed by 9:00am and after getting ready, we met in one of the rooms for breakfast. Nothing was open so early in the morning,  so the two dancers’ husbands who accompanied us on the trip walked for 45 minutes before they managed to find us something to eat.

Another quick bite, and we went outdoors to rehearse. We warmed up in an attempt to wake up our bodies that were just not cooperating. We were reminded that being on a bus all night, almost no sleep, and tired bodies were NOT an EXCUSE! As professionals we still had to DELIVER.

Reena Shah - last minute TLC for a costume!

Then began the RITUAL of getting ready. Hair being curled, Ruby doing makeup, costumes being handed out, tikas being pinned, the USUAL – which usually takes a few hours with 22 dancers! Finally at 2:30pm we went downstairs to take the AGT shuttle to the theatre. The shuttle had to take three or fourrounds because we were an ARMY.

We arrived at the legendary Orpheum Theater. After a security check (and a few raised eyebrows at the amount of fake bling in our backstage costume bag!) we went into the holding area, and immediately setup for a b-roll. This was followed by a lot of waiting, handing over of paperwork, last minute touch-ups and preparation – all which had to be done in silence as other groups were being interviewed.  Finally, at 6:00pm we went backstage. Nick Cannon came and chatted with us which was really fun, and Reena even taught him one of our moves! More hanging out, holding hands, waiting, focusing, energizing, preparing. And all the while we could hear other groups being BUZZED on stage – right above us.

Sweatshirts & ghagras? We now know why this never became a trend.

The fear those buzzers are able to inspire is astounding. We waited in trepidation, as people were buzzed left, right and centre.  Finally after moving from room to room and in front of rolling cameras for hours, warming up for the hundredth time, it was suddenly our turn. We walked up to the stage, slightly nervous (except the junior kids who always seem fearless and excited!). Another quick b-roll with Nick Cannon while we were waiting in the wings.

L-R: Nikita Patel, Amrita Shastri, Anisha Bubber

Then, there they were right in front of us— Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel looking EXACTLY how you see them on T.V., but much more INTIMIDATING. We introduced the group and what we did. Piers said “We [the judges] love Bollywood” (but, knowing his reputation,  it was hard to believe him).  We took our places. “Jai Ho” began. Immediately, even before the first “Jai Ho”, the audience was on their feet, clapping and cheering. We saw a COLLECTIVE wave of people just stand up and start dancing! There were people jumping and cheering in the aisles, the balcony, and everywhere we looked. It was incredible! The energy we received from the audience was unforgettable. Being on that stage was an experience in itself. Anyone who has been at the Orpheum knows the GRANDEUR the theater exudes. The stage was flawless, the floor impeccable, and it was such an honour to dance on it.

Us, on T.V.!

We could have danced for what seemed like FOREVER but 90 seconds is all we, and all other acts got. We finished and flocked to the centre of the stage, waiting breathlessly for the verdict. We had done what we came to do; the rest was beyond our control. Three yeses from the judges and we were jubilant. “See you in Vegas,” Piers said. We exploded with JOY.

Suddenly the entire competition became so much more REAL. Deeply content, we trooped back out, grabbed our bags and boarded the bus. It was time to go home and begin the magical journey of America’s Got Talent. There was a lot to be done; and we were READY.

See MORE PICTURES in our media gallery!

Pratham had specifically requested we perform our Michael Jackson Act as well the “Khuda Jaane” duet from our  repertoire. In addition, we added some of our favorite pieces to create a vibrant and entertaining medley of explosive songs.  Since we had the opportunity to do a finale dance with Amrita Rao, we picked “Chale Jaise Hawaiyen” from  ”Main Hoon Na,” a movie in which she is truly unforgettable. We had  some apprehensions  about how our rehearsal with her would go as we were told that her schedule was very tight and she wouldn’t be able to spare much time.

We were pleasantly surprised and delighted when Amrita walked into our Thursday rehearsal, and immediately came across as  being so open and friendly. She asked each and every dancer their name and greeted them. She was fun, relaxed and pulled off the steps with great ease and finesse. We asked her to try a lift with the boys once, but she confidently said she would do it directly when we ran the entire piece to music!  We were not sure whether to be encouraged or intimidated by her faith in us! She seemed genuinely happy to work with us and we were awed by her grace…even more so as  she danced  in four-inch high stiletto heels.

The rehearsal with Amrita was flawless but the technical and costume rehearsal were another story altogether. The costume rehearsal went by ‘fairly’ smoothly. The dancers were briefed on the details of the various changes between acts and also in the middle of acts.  Numerous things to take mental notes on and execute… change tights, replace hand accessories, fasten skirts in a way to make the next change easier, change from white socks to black ones, put on earrings en route to being on standby in the wings, re-ponytail hair – dressing and changing in a particular order to make sure the troupe not only made it on stage in time for entries but did so  looking fabulous and neat!

Then came the technical rehearsal on the day of the show, by which we should have been completely ready for the event. However, there were Michael Jackson hats ROLLING on the floor because they were too loose, a mylar screen threatening to COLLAPSE on the dancers which two people were assigned just to HOLD it in place, even after it was moved off stage! The wheels of a stage riser were not locking, so when our dancer, Joya, began dancing on it it started MOVING. Then the riser was placed OFF CENTER to account for the movement and finally it refused to FIT in the wings. We did a full run through of the Michael Jackson act 3 times!

The Bollywood act rehearsal was next.  The fan props were collapsing (as was our dancer Brian’s shoulder) and somehow we got through it. Then we had to do it all over again because the ugly fake plants which flanked the sides of stage seemed to suddenly be impacting the  visual of the piece – and had to be removed IMMEDIATELY! By the time we finished the second run some of the dancers were discussing retirement.

After a break (during which some dancers ran off to teach class!) – show prep was fully underway! Dancers were getting their makeup done, taking naps, fixing the fans so they don’t collapse and last minute adjustments to the hats to ensure they don’t fall off. The greenroom was covered with hair curlers and hair spray, glue guns, sponges, dowels, tape. We could have opened a small store with all our paraphernalia!

SHOW TIME!  We went on stage and we were ALIVE, present, electric. There is a superstition that if technical rehearsal isn’t great…the show is fabulous.

From Michael Jackson to Bollywood…the acts were performed without a glitch! The energy was palpable and the audience was responsive, intrigued, elated. And then to have Amrita Rao dance join the dancers was the perfect end to an amazing performance (this couldn’t have been more obvious as some of the boys in the troupe had ridiculous grins on their faces!). Amrita pretended for a few seconds as she walked on stage to be completely CLUELESS. The finale, afterall, was a surprise for the audience – no one knew she would be joining the company on stage. But as the female lyrics in the song began, her expression changed from mock confusion to complete confidence and she OWNED the stage. It was great to see her in action and have the honor of sharing the stage with her.

Here is what Rohini and Suneil Parulekar, Pratham board members, had to say after watching the show:

“You all did an outstanding performance…at the Pratham gala. This was the BEST we have ever seen from anybody, including [other] Bollywood [dance companies]. It was truly uplifting.”

In the end, despite the mania, the MAGIC prevailed!

It was the company’s first show in San Francisco;  and it was the first time that any company had successfully auditioned ‘Bollywood’  in the Ethnic Dance Festival’s 32 YEAR long history.  We were the FINALE ACT in week two of the festival’s four-weekend run and we were also invited to perform at the festival’s gala show.

Applying for the Festival, we were unsure of how Bollywood would be accepted, as folk and classical dance forms usually dominate the festival.  Though Bollywood incorporates these elements, it is an echo of Indian Popculture, and is not usually considered traditional, in the way that Bhatnatyam, Kathak or Garba are. So we were pleasantly surprised when we were asked to audition.

We worked on a performance piece inspired by the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and were so inspired from A.R. Rahman’s deep and enchanting tunes. We started with a more conventional style of Bollywood and gr
adually progressed to contemporary ideas ending with the audience favorite, “Jai Ho.” For the actual show, we added live ‘dhol’ players and a section in the choreography where there was interplay between the dancers and the musicians. As a large group of dancers, we always feel a tremendous sense of synergy on stage…and the dhol players took it to an entirely different level.

It is always exciting for us to share our passion for dance with audiences, especially people who have not necessarily been exposed to Bollywood. It was a rewarding and humbling experience to perform in the Palace of Fine Arts with a stunning lineup of artists. One of our favorite parts of the festival was the curtain call, when each company came on stage and took their bow, to the beat of the dhols. The stage was filled with color, energy and excitement. After the curtain call, the artists would gradually make their way to the lobby where the musicians jammed and the dancers danced. The sinuous hip movements of the Hawaiian dancers, the lithe isolations of the African dancers and of course our abundant energy… a whirlpool of movement as dancers from different cultures interacted with one another and imbibed each other’s movements and danced their heart out!

It was a great learning experience and we were exposed to an abundance of ethnic dance forms and cultures, all existing in the Bay Area dance community. Staying true to our individuality, it was an enriching experience to embrace the diversity, versatility and sheer passion that existed under the umbrella of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. We hope to continue being a part of it for many years to come.

Has it really been one whole year? Sometimes it feels like time has flown by incredibly fast.

And sometimes we think…just one year? It feels like we have been doing this all our lives. As we stand at this milestone, we can’t help but glance back to see how far we have come.

Beginning with the Shah Rukh Khan show to performing an NBA halftime show and eagerly awaiting our debut at the SF Ethnic Dance Festival in June, the company has come a long way. Performances at shows like the Pratham Banquet, ICC Diwali Dhamaka, IIT Diwali Dhamaka, CCF & TIECON have happily punctuated our journey.

Our very own Fall Student Showcase was great, yet the Spring Showcase seemed to have superseded it in so many ways.  In the Spring Showcase we had 4 shows instead of 3 to accommodate all our students – which was a huge step forward. We have launched a brand new fitness program which students and instructors can’t get enough of.  Corporate workshops, private events, music videos, successful auditions…endless energy and passion.

We can look back with pride at what we have built.  In one year, we are the biggest Bollywood company in the Bay Area.  At the same time, and perhaps more importantly, we are a real community – a group of people who want to share the Bollywood culture, spread the joy of movement and contribute in any way possible.

We realize that this would have been impossible without the tremendous support given to us by our students, their families, volunteers and the Bay Area community. We are indebted to those who constantly believe in us and motivate us to work harder than ever before. The loyalty of our students and clients has been energizing yet humbling. Each and every person is an integral part of the thriving dance & fitness community we have created together.

What lies ahead? Growth, change, evolution. We are constantly redefining Bollywood, creating a unique blend of the East and the West. We strive towards building a larger community of professional dancers, instructors and students.  We will continue reaching out to other artists and collaborators, live musicians and choreographers for more creative experiences and dynamic performances. As we add our unique blend of Bollywood spice to the Bay, we  imbibe the flourishing Bay Area’s dance art environment. We will continue the process of constantly observing, learning and applying.  Our community deserves the very best of Bollywood – and we will make sure that we provide it.

Today, with various experiences under our belt and a plethora of ideas and expectations, we set foot into the second year.  New goals, renewed dreams and a realization that limits exist only in the imagination.

~The Team @ Mona Sampath Khan Dance/Fitness

Bollywood & the NBA – an unlikely combination. But boy did it work!

The Golden State Warriors versus the Philadelphia 76ers game was on Feb. 23 2010 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.  The Warriors were celebrating India Heritage night and we were invited to perform at half time.

A month of excitement and anticipation but only 4 rehearsals, owing to other events we were scheduled to perform at. So those 4 rehearsals were intense, grueling and LONG. We could not fit in the studio where we usually rehearse; we could not fit our entire team of 50, properly spaced, ANYWHERE. So we booked a basketball court in Newark. The court was partitioned, and some folks were still playing, who watched curiously as our seemingly endless dancer crew streamed in. We stretched, positioned, practiced. Then the BEST part. We had to resort to using their PA system and suddenly “Ringa Ringa” started blaring in the basketball court.

The days leading up to the show were filled with being perpetually sore yet joyous, fatigued and excited, as we practiced and practiced. Then, it was SHOWTIME! We arrived at the Oakland Arena (a little damp due to the constant downpour) – an army of 50, ranging from ages 8 to 30, with golden tikas peering from hoodies, long plaits pinned to sweatpants, the usual glitter and glamor, trying to camouflage our costumes (quite unsuccessfully!).  Getting through the arena security was quite hilarious as the metal detectors went off continuously as we entered!

We had already spent a few hours getting ready before we even got to the venue. But there are always loose strands to gel back, stray fabric to be pinned, the usual touch up and the costume team’s infamous INSPECTION (they will detect a gold pin where a silver would be more appropriate, a gray hair tie which promptly has to be changed to black and other – some unmentionable – details which most people would never even notice).

Then finding a place to warm up, which can be challenging with 50 people. People going over different parts of the routine in all possible areas backstage  (including the restroom!). Dancers practicing lifts, flips, the crucial timing for partnering. Dancers dodging flying limbs, flipping bodies, turning circles. And, we were READY. We stood in a circle, holding hands, CONNECTING one last time, before being led out into the court.

We stood in two single files, pressed against the door, watching the stadium and taking in the shear numbers. It was ELECTRIFYING, it was NERVE-WRACKING, the wait, those last few minutes. Deep breathing, running in place to keep ourselves warm, random hugs and arm presses and then the music began. Everything went away. Only the dance remained. There was a WHIRLPOOL of energy as we danced, jumped, ran and turned while 15,000 people watched. We felt our energy echo in the stadium, as the audience cheered. It was EXHILERATING!

None of us had performed in a stadium in front of 15,000 people before. It was an incredible opportunity to share our vision and passion with so many people. It was also great to showcase and represent Indian pop culture at the NBA. Bollywood is rapidly becoming mainstream and we were all extremely proud to represent it at an event of this scale and stature.

People actually said that it was the best half-time performance they had ever seen. As we went back to watch the last quarter of the game, we felt part of something intangible. It is like the roar of the crowd, the excitement of the game, the hysteria of the fans. Something that cannot be explained, only EXPERIENCED.