The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state, one of the oldest and the largest nonprofit Umbrella Organization of the Indian Diaspora celebrated India’s 70th Republic Day in grandeur with its annual show “Dance Pe Chance” promoting the 2nd generation of the Indian Diaspora while promoting the culture and heritage at the Union County Arts Center, in Rahway, New Jersey.
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 Pe Chance” dance competition. Nine dance schools performed in front of a sold-out auditorium 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 are among the schools that participated.
The event commenced with the National Anthem of US and India, during his welcome address FIA President Alok Kumar triumphantly welcomed the spectators and applauded the children parents and choreographers. He also dedicated the 35th year of this cultural performance competition to children who with this year total surpassing an accumulated total of over 18000 children that have participated in this cultural dance competition that spans 3 decades.
The community event also honored the dignitaries in attendance, judges, guests and the traditional ceremony of oath for the FIA’s incoming executive committee of 2019 – 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 Consulate General New York Shatrughan Sinha who was on hand, acknowledged and welcomed the incoming FIA Executive team. He expressed his appreciation for the role FIA has played in the community for 49 years and how working CGI-NY and FIA working in sync is pivotal and progressive beneficial for the Indian diaspora here in the Northeast.
DCG- Sinha also administered the oath to two new members added by FIA to the Board of Trustees, Jayesh Patel Past President & Ankur Vaidya, two-term Past President both long-time FIA veterans. 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 and had as a Guest of Honor Emmy Award-winning travel show host and PBS Travel celebrity Darley Newman who graced the event with her presence. Ms. Newman applauded the performances and efforts including costumes and props displayed by the participants.
Participants were judged by an array of talented personalities including Palvesha Latiwala, decorated dancer and the CEO of Bombino Express, Smt. Gomathi Manoj, decorated Bharatanatyam artiste, teacher and Artistic Director of Soundarya Natya Kalalaya and Nirali Vakharia, Director and founder of Natraj Nrityala School of Dance. The event was sponsored by Pyar.com, BCB Indus American Bank, Movers.com, RWJ Barnabas Health, The South Asian Times, Air India, Cox & Kings, SBI New York, New York Life, Bombino Express, Akbar Restaurant, Universal Relocations, TV Asia, Parikh Worldwide Media, Hotstar, The Indian Panorama, EBC Radio and Printzazu.
FIA added variety and diversity by including a ‘grownups or adults’ category that showed the 3 glitz-filled performances by majority 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 with Prize-Winning amounts, mementos, and certificates. In addition to other offerings extended to participants by the FIA.
The List of Winners:
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)
