For the members of Andaaz, performing Bollywood fusion dance is just one piece of the puzzle. At ASU, the Andaaz dance team has become a space where students, with and without dance experience, build friendships and community through sharing South Asian culture.
Andaaz Logistics Manager Kali Patel, a junior studying communication, said this is the organization's 14th year as ASU's only nationally recognized Bollywood fusion dance team.
"We're a place where dancers can express themselves through performing, not just in competitions but locally as well," Patel said.
Andaaz performs a variety of dance styles, including Bollywood, classic western hip-hop and cultural dances like Bhangra and Bharatanatyam.
The dances are choreographed as a collective team effort, where new dance styles like contemporary and jazz are often introduced. Members rehearse two to three times a week to learn choreography, teach formations and prepare leading up to competition.
Veer Ruparel, an Andaaz captain and a senior studying computer systems engineering, said the team's main goal is to make it to Legends, a yearly dance competition highlighting South Asian performing arts.
To qualify, teams are required to win three Desi Dance Network competitions and rank within the top 10. The team is willing to give their all for the experience of attending the highly regarded competition, Ruparel said.
The team performs annually at InfernoFest and competes in three competitions per season, often held in the spring.
Whether the team wins or loses, they continue to remain enthusiastic throughout the whole experience, Ruparel said.
Andaaz Finance Manager Ronit Dhamsania, a junior studying finance, said the team's performance was motivating.
"I saw them perform at InfernoFest my freshman year and I thought it was so cool," Dhamsania said. "I honestly just wanted to be like them."
Dhamsania appreciated the celebration of culture and auditioned for the team despite having little dance experience.
When describing the team, Ruparel used three words: family, passion and enthusiasm. The team strengthens their family bond and works hard to achieve goals through their passion and enthusiasm for dance.
Andaaz aims to foster a community for those who have a love and drive for dance, with or without previous experience, to build social connections and grow together as dancers while showcasing culture through performance.
"I came to ASU, and I joined the dance team, and I really think that Andaaz has made me a better dancer, a better person, and I express a lot with Andaaz," Social Media Chair Ridhima Roy, a junior studying computer science, said.
Outside of rehearsal, members of Andaaz hang out, study and hold each other accountable, Ruparel said. Members of the board also support each other academically.
"We don't want you to suffer when you're in Andaaz. We want you to have fun," Ruparel said. "We want you to enjoy your time being on Andaaz without sacrificing your grades."
Through Andaaz’s creativity and leadership, the team is a cultural community for any ASU student. Tryouts for the fall semester are being held on Aug. 27 and Sept. 1.
Edited by Dhemi Bell, Emilio Alvarado and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at akbrow36@asu.edu.
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Alyssa Brown is a Community/Culture Reporter at The State Press. This is her first semester with The State Press.
