-By: Jaya Ravi
Rangeela Dance Company, Seattle’s premier South Asian dance Company, opened for comedian Akaash Singh during his recent tour stops in Seattle and Portland. The group appeared for two nights in Seattle and one night in Portland, bringing Bollywood and South Asian dance to audiences before the comedy sets began.
The performances introduced live dance to comedy crowds who may not have expected a cultural dance showcase as part of the evening. Rangeela used high energy choreography, and expressive storytelling to engage audiences as they entered the venue and settled into their seats. Rangeela combined Bharanatyam with Hip Hop.
In Seattle, the group performed on back to back nights, creating momentum and recognition among returning audience members. In Portland, the single night appearance drew attention from attendees who shared videos and photos across social media, helping extend the reach of both the dance company and the tour.
By partnering with Akaash Singh, Rangeela Dance Company expanded its presence beyond traditional cultural festivals and stage shows. The collaboration placed South Asian dance in mainstream entertainment spaces and introduced new audiences to the art form in an accessible setting.
These performances reflect how dance groups can collaborate across entertainment industries while maintaining cultural representation. Rangeela continues to seek opportunities that connect community arts with broader audiences in cities like Seattle and Portland.
Check out the performance video on instagram.com/rangeeladancecompany and email info@dancewithrangeela.com if you would like to book us for your show or concert!
Performers & Creators:
Dinesh Thenozi
Sahithi Bonala
Katy Spada
Alisha Khatwani
Ami Mehta
Surya Akella
Priyanka Jain Vora
– By: Jaya Ravi Planning a Bollywood sangeet dance can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it becomes a fun and memorable part of your wedding celebration. From choosing the perfect songs to organizing rehearsals, here’s how to plan a sangeet dance that leaves your guests cheering for more.
1. Start with a Theme or Concept
First, decide on a theme for your sangeet. Whether it’s classic Bollywood, modern glam, or a cultural fusion, your theme will guide your song choices, outfits, and choreography. Keep it authentic and personal, this night celebrates your love story!
2. Create a Song List Everyone Will Love
Choose high-energy South Asian/Bollywood hits that match the vibe you want. In your medley, incorporate old-school classics with trending numbers to keep every generation entertained. Don’t forget romantic duets or family-friendly anthems for group performances. Our RDC director Priyanka J. Vora advises, “choosing songs that everyone is familiar with is key to keeping the audience and dancers engaged. Get creative – combine an Indian song with an English pop song to really get the crowd excited!” Did you know that RDC provides services to help you make custom mixes?
Use streaming platforms like Spotify or YouTube to create a shared playlist. Involve family and friends early on so everyone gets excited and feels included.
3. Assign Performances Early
Break the song list into segments and assign them to different groups such as the bride’s side, groom’s side, friends, siblings, etc. Make sure each group gets songs that match their energy and comfort level. For example, give high-energy tracks to dance-loving cousins and simpler routines to older relatives.
4. Hire a Choreographer or DIY with Online Tutorials
Rangeela Dance Company striking their final pose after an amazing performance.
“Planning your Sangeet can be stressful…until you find a perfect match – your choreographer! Picking a dance company that can guide you through your Sangeet planning phase must be one of the top things on your list. They can help you pick the best songs and choreograph moves that cater to all levels of dancers. Making sure all your favorite people dance to the songs that light up your night can change your whole wedding experience. We recommend booking your choreographer at least 2-3 months before your wedding date to allow enough time for practices and avoid stress leading up to the Sangeet night.” – Phoenix Instructor – Neha.
Fun fact, Rangeela Dance Company can help choreograph dances for your Sangeet. We offer in-person and virtual lessons as well as video tutorials to guide every step of the way! Fill out this form: https://tinyurl.com/rdcchoreo if you would like to connect with RDC to help choreograph at your Sangeet.
5. Schedule Rehearsals (And Make Them Fun!)
Plan multiple rehearsals and turn them into mini dance parties. Provide snacks, record the routines, and share progress clips in a family WhatsApp group. Consistency is key! Build confidence and chemistry through regular practice. The easiest way to schedule rehearsals is to put up a poll on WhatsApp so everyone can see their options and select quickly!
6. Coordinate Costumes and Props
Outfits should reflect your theme and help dancers move freely. Bright colors, sequins, and traditional attire are all great options. For props, consider sunglasses, dupattas, or dandiya sticks to add flair to your performance.
Our Instructor Nandita says, “planning a Sangeet can be super stressful but it’s super important to think of your outfit and how it plays into your dance and dance style. Depending on whether you choose a lehenga, or Sharara, or Patiala suit, it will either hide or accentuate your steps, and the dress choice and dance style definitely go hand in hand.”
7. Plan a Grand Finale
End the night with a couple’s performance or a surprise flash mob. Invite everyone to join the stage for a final song, it brings unity and energy that sets the tone for the rest of the wedding festivities.
8. Work With Your Event Team
Coordinate with your DJ, lighting technician, and videographer. Make sure your sound system is perfect, lighting cues are synced, and the dance floor is clearly marked. Smooth logistics will ensure your hard work shines through.
Final Thoughts
A well-planned Bollywood sangeet dance brings joy, connection, and a burst of celebration to your wedding. Start early, keep it organized, and most importantly – have fun! With laughter, music, and a little rehearsal magic, you’ll create a night everyone will remember.
By: Sanchita Kedia– On April 13th, under the golden California sun, Rangeela Dance Company (RDC) lit up the stage in Newark, CA for the grand finale of Rangotsav 2025—a six-city celebration of Holi bursting with color, culture, and community. Performing for thousands is familiar territory for Rangeela, but this crowd especially showed up to witness someone truly extraordinary: Bollywood legend and dance icon, Hrithik Roshan.
The day began with a high-octane RDC showcase featuring hits like “APT X Sauda Khara,” “Bhasad Macha,” and “Holi Mein Rangeele,” brought to life by Rangeela dancers from across the nation—Seattle, Los Angeles, Southern California, Phoenix, Boston, Chicago, and, of course, the Bay Area.
But the real magic happened when we got to meet the Hrithik Roshan. We walked into the room, completely starstruck. Yes, he was as stunning in real life as you would imagine (no surprises there), but what caught us off guard was how genuine, gracious, and down-to-earth he was. He chatted with RDC director, Priyanka Vora, asking which songs we would be performing during the Hrithik Roshan Tribute—a special segment dedicated to his legendary filmography. When she told him “Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah” from Jodha Akbar and “Dhoom Again” from Dhoom 2, he smiled and said, “That’s my favorite song from Jodha Akbar.” We all melted inside.
After our meet & greet with Hrithik Roshan and a speedy costume change, we returned to the stage, ready to perform for Hrithik himself in the tribute that closed out an unforgettable day.
We kicked off the Tribute portion of the show with Hrithik’s favorite—“Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah,” beautifully performed by our Indian Classical performers. The crowd was now more eager and excited than ever.. finally.. Hrithik Roshan made his grand entrance! Charismatic as ever, he spoke about his excitement about stepping into a new role as the director of Krrish 4 along with relatable dad moments—like trying to convince his kids he is still cool.
And then, the moment we were all secretly waiting for: he took off his sunglasses, revealing those iconic hazel eyes. The crowd erupted. As if that wasn’t enough, he casually grabbed phones from the audience and filmed selfie videos while speaking, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
But the biggest surprise of the night came next: Our director, Priyanka Vora, was invited to perform on stage WITH Hrithik, (watch here!), to the iconic “Ek Pal Ka Jeena” from his debut film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. The Rangeela team absolutely lost it. Priyanka later stated, “It was every dancer’s dream come true. I lived this moment for everyone who has been his fan for the last 25 years. It was spontaneous and so incredibly fun, especially because Hrithik made it so comfortable to dance right alongside him!”
Photo credit: Bengal Artistry
To close out this unforgettable tribute, Rangeela Dance Company brought the house down with a powerful performance of “Dhoom Again.”
Mika Singh Event
After the main Rangotsav event ended, the energy didn’t stop—an afterparty hosted by none other than singer Mika Singh kept the celebration going strong. He lit up the stage with iconic hits like “Mauja Mauja” from Jab We Met and remixes like “Pushpa Pushpa”, turning the night into a full-blown dance fest. The most surreal moment? Rangeela Dance Company got to be Mika’s backup dancers for “Mauja Mauja”—a moment that felt like a full-circle dream. Catch the video here! While we were longtime fans of Mika Singh, it felt like the feeling became mutual.
Mid-performance, Mika paused to teach Rangeela a signature dance step on stage. After watching us try it out, he called up actor and RDC dancer Nishant Ghan to join him in performing the step. Even after our performance ended, Mika kept turning to us, teaching new moves and joking, “Make a reel with this hook step—I’ll follow you, Hrithik won’t!” His warmth and humor had the entire team charmed.
Later that night, we had the opportunity to meet him, where he greeted us just as warmly—posing for small group photos and even filming a reel to “Pushpa Pushpa” with Rangeela. Impressed by Nishant’s dancing, Mika even asked his team to get Nishant’s contact! It was a night to remember, made even more special by the unexpected connection with a true icon.
While meeting and performing for (and with!) the legendary Hrithik Roshan was a dream come true, the real magic was witnessing the strength, spirit, and unity of our Rangeela family. Dancers from across the country came together to deliver something truly spectacular and we are already counting down the days until we can share a stage like this again.
Watch our Hrithik Recap YouTube VLOG, created by our Phoenix RDC lead Neha Pulipati, and our founder/director Priyanka J. Vora, to learn more about all the behind the scenes from this event!
-By Supriya Lal
By day, I lead multiple engineering teams as a group tech lead at Yelp, solving complex technical challenges.
By night, I transform into a high-energy dance instructor at Rangeela Dance Company, pushing participants to their physical limits.
This might seem like a sharp contrast, but balancing my passion for dance with my demanding tech career has been a game-changer for my personal and professional growth.
Interplay of Leadership Roles
Giving large-scale presentations in the office became more manageable as I started leading dance classes and got used to talking to an audience. Meanwhile, a leadership role at the office helped me hone my ability to lead a dance class and build the confidence to give clear instructions to students.
Communication is the Key
Clear communication is crucial at work and in the fitness studio. In the dance studio, I communicate through movement and motivation, ensuring that students of all levels can follow along and stay engaged. In tech mode, I guide my teams through tackling design and technical execution.
Compartmentalizing Life as a Skill
One of the biggest challenges in balancing two roles is making sure each one gets my full attention when it’s time, which requires learning to compartmentalize my work. During office hours, my focus is entirely on my work. Once the clock hits 5 pm, I set the work aside COMPLETELY. This is the key to maintaining balance and not overwhelming myself.
Learning to compartmentalize my life significantly improved my ability to multitask at work.
Motivation in Tech and Fitness
One of the most rewarding parts of being a dance fitness instructor is watching people break through their physical limits and achieve their fitness goals. Similarly, as a Group Tech Lead, I see my success in the success of the teams solving complex problems and delivering high-quality work. In both spaces, my role is to encourage people to believe in themselves and push beyond what they think is possible.
Pursuing Hobbies Bring Fulfillment
Dance is my passion, and it helps me unwind from a busy day in tech. Teaching dance fitness gives me a creative outlet and recharges me for my responsibilities as a tech lead.
Conclusion
We don’t have to limit ourselves to our 9-to-5 jobs. With good time management and clear boundaries, it’s possible to excel at work while fully pursuing our hobbies. By embracing both my career and my passion for dance fitness, I’ve found balance and fulfillment in both.
Pursuing your hobbies will bring out the best in your work as well, rather than compromising it. Do it guilt-free!
In mid-September 2024, Rangeela Dance Company had the honor of hosting internationally renowned Indian dancer, choreographer, and television personality, Shakti Mohan, for an exclusive dance event in Seattle. As part of her U.S. tour, Shakti brought her vast expertise and passion for dance to the Seattle community, creating an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, learning, and artistry. Renowned for her expertise in contemporary, hip-hop, Bollywood, and classical dance, Shakti has become a global dance icon, and through founding her brand, Nritya Shakti, she has shared her expertise worldwide. Her presence at the Rangeela event was highly anticipated, and she did not disappoint.
The event kicked off a dynamic dance workshop to the song “O’Sajna” choreographed by Shakti herself, led by Priyank Thakker the founder of Naach Chicago. He guided participants through a variety of techniques and steps, offering invaluable insights and training to dancers at different levels of experience. It was an exciting opportunity for local dancers to not only improve their skills but also to explore a choreography created by Shakti herself.
Following the workshops, attendees were treated to a special meet and-greet with Shakti, where they had the rare opportunity to connect with her on a personal level. During the Q&A session, Shakti shared her inspiring journey as a dancer, discussing the dedication and hard work that have fueled her career. She offered valuable advice for aspiring dancers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, creativity, and maintaining a strong work ethic.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the performance session, where dancers showcased their talents in front of Shakti herself. Dancers had the chance to shine, blending their unique styles with the techniques they had learned throughout the evening. In a particularly memorable moment, Shakti selected one outstanding dancer, Spriha Shukla, to receive a scholarship to train at her prestigious Nritya Shakti academy in Mumbai. This incredible opportunity will allow Supriya to develop their skills further under the direct mentorship of Shakti and her team in India. After the event Spriha shared “it was an absolute honor to meet Shakti Mohan in Seattle and learn her choreograph, it was such a fangirl moment. Thank you Rangeela and Priyanka Vora for this amazing opportunity. So humbled and honored to receive the Nritya Shakti scholarship. See you soon Mumbai!!”
The event was a resounding success, bringing together the Seattle dance community in a celebration of creativity, talent, and passion. Rangeela Dance Company is proud to have hosted such a remarkable experience, one that left a lasting impact on all who attended. Rangeela extends our heartfelt gratitude to Shakti, Priyank Thakker, and all the participants for making this event truly unforgettable. Stay tuned for more exciting events and workshops from Rangeela Dance Company as we continue to bring the world of dance to our vibrant community!
At the Seattle Mariners game against the Houston Astros, fans were treated to more than just an exciting baseball match. As part of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the pre-game show featured a performance by Rangeela Dance Company (RDC), who graced the stadium with a burst of cultural flair. Dressed in traditional attire, the dancers brought the spirit of South Asia to T-Mobile Park with their energetic performance set to the beats of songs including “Naatu Naatu” from the Oscar-winning film, RRR.
The performers also had the pleasure to meet U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who threw the opening pitch of the game. During their time with Dr. Murthy, the team learned he has a background as a bhangra dancer from his college days, sparking a fun moment of connection over their mutual love for dance.
While the performance added an extra layer of excitement to the Mariners victory over the Astros, it was not just about entertainment. Rangeela’s performance was a tribute to the tapestry of cultures that make up the AANHPI community. Dancer Sarthak Sharma shared that “it’s been a dream of mine to represent my culture on a grand stage, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to do so with than my RDC family”. Through their mesmerizing choreography, the dancers showcased the beauty of South Asian dance forms, inviting fans to join in a celebration of heritage and identity.
“I’m so proud of my entire team at Rangeela Dance Company for putting on such a fantastic show. Thank you to the Seattle Mariners for inviting us and giving us an opportunity of a lifetime.”
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