Shakti Mohan Visits Rangeela Dance Company

Shakti Mohan Visits Rangeela Dance Company

-by Anisha Advani & Priyanka J. Vora

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!

Check out the highlights from the event here!

Photography credit: https://www.ladkahai.desi

Seattle Mariner’s Baseball Game Performance By Rangeela Dance Company

Seattle Mariner’s Baseball Game Performance By Rangeela Dance Company

-by Anisha Advani & Priyanka J. Vora

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.”

Find the performance video here!

Photography credit: https://www.ladkahai.desi

Top 7 Choreographers in Seattle – Featured on Giggster

Top 7 Choreographers in Seattle – Featured on Giggster

Rangeela Dance Company is a full-service Bollywood dance company founded by Priyanka Jain Vara, a trained classical Indian dancer and Bollywood dance choreographer.

Their mission is to celebrate South Asian culture through dance and make dance available to everyone through their classes. In addition to learning to dance, you can hire Rangeela Dance Company to do one of their performances or create a custom performance for your event. If you opt for a class, you can choose an in-person, virtual, and outdoor dance workshop, and be welcome regardless of age and dance level.

Source: https://giggster.com/