Rahway, New Jersey
The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) New York, New Jersey, Connecticut celebrated India’s 70th Republic Day in grandeur with its annual show ‘Dance Pe Chance’ at the Union County Arts Center, in Rahway, New Jersey, February 2.
The packed show was a cultural extravaganza as the students from various dance schools of four different states participated in festive spirit to prove their mettle at the dance competition. Nine dance schools performed in four categories: Minor, Junior, Senior and Adult. Aum Dance Creations, Arya Dance Academy, Aatma Performing Arts, B2Z Dance School, Dancing Shiva, Natraj Dance Studio, Nirmiti School Of Dance, Simply Dance, Pranavam School Of Dance were among the schools that participated.
FIA President Alok Kumar welcomed all and applauded the children, their parents and choreographers. He noted that more than 18000 children participated in the contest in the last 35 years.
The FIA’s incoming executive committee was sworn in at the event with Alok Kumar, president; Himanshu Bhatia, executive vice president; Saurin Parikh, vice president; Amit Yadav, general secretary; Amit Ringasia, treasurer; Srujal Parikh, immediate past president and Mardavi Patel, joint secretary. The oath was administered by Deputy Consul General Shatrughan Sinha.
Sinha expressed his appreciation for the role FIA has played in the community for 49 years.
He also administered the oath to two new members of the Board of Trustees, Jayesh Patel, and Ankur Vaidya, past presidents. Vaidya addressed the gathering on behalf of Chairman Ramesh Patel and recognized the support of the FIA Board that currently holds a line of distinguished community leaders including Ramesh Patel, Padma Shri H R Shah, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Albert Jasani, Ram Gadhavi, Dipak Patel, Chandrakant Trivedi, Pravin Pandhi and Yash Paul Soi.
FIA also honored Emmy Award-winning travel show host and PBS Travel celebrity Darley Newman, who was judge of the dance competition. Ms. Newman applauded the performances and efforts including costumes and props displayed by the dance participants.
Other judges included Palvesha Latiwala, decorated dancer and the CEO of Bombino Express, Smt. Gomathi Manoj, Bharatanatyam artiste, teacher and artistic director of Soundarya Natya Kalalaya and Nirali Vakharia, director and founder of Natraj Nrityala School of Dance.
FIA added variety and diversity by including a 'grownups or adults' category that showed the 3 performances by majority of the participating moms. There was also a spectacular martial arts form - Tae Kwan Do performance by Kim’s Tae Kwan Do which was compiled by Tae Kwan Do Master J D Kim.
Concluding the event, FIA honored all the dancers, choreographers and judges.
Minor Category
Best Costume:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Singham, Mamta se bhare
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Best Choreography:- Arya Dance Academy
Song: Singham, Mamta se bhare
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Technique:- Dancing Shiva
Song : Song from Lagaan
Choreographer: Jeanie Beri & Neal Doshi
3rd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Song : Sridevi Medley
Choreographer: Rina Shah, Anu Mysore
2nd prize:- Dancing Shiva
Song : Song from Lagaan
Choreographer: Jeanie Beri & Neal Doshi
1st prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Singham, Mamta se bhare
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Junior Category
Best Costume :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Best Choreography :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Technique :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
3rd prize:- Aatma Performing Arts
Song : Kanna Nidurinchara, Soja Zara, Gulaab Gang
Choreographer: Amit Shah, Serena Ortiz, Sapna Advani
2nd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Song : Garba/Raas - Kamariya, Chogada, Dholi Taro, Raangtaali, Dholida, Nagada Sang Dhol
Choreographer: Rina Shah, Anu Mysore
1st prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Shah ka Rutba, Gajanan, Vande mataram
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Senior Category
Best Costume :- Aatma Performing Arts / Arya Dance Academy
Song : Pyar kiya toh darna kya , Dil cheez kya hai / Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Amit Shah, Sapna Advani, Swarali/ Arya Instructors
Best Choreography :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
Technique :- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
3rd prize:- Aum Dance Creations
Song : Balleilaka, Suno Gaur Se,Satyamev, Maa Tuje Salaam
Choreographer: Rina Shah, Anu Mysore
2nd prize:- Arya Dance Academy
Song : Albela Sajan, Jai Jai kara, Jai Hanuman
Choreographer: Arya Instructors
1st prize:- Aatma Performing Arts
Song : Pyar kiya toh darna kya , Dil cheez kya hai
Choreographer: Amit Shah, Sapna Advani, Swarali
The top performance in all aspects in all categories 'Best of the Best' Judges Choice:- AUM Dance Creations (Junior Category)
Photo Courtesy: Paresh Gandhi
