Three Pointers All the Way for Rhythm India

 Rhythm India’s 95 performers, during the Rockets vs. Clippers, half time show at the the Toyota Center last Saturday, March 29.Below: Arzan Gonda (front) with a group of participants before their performance.             Photos: Navin Mediwala

Rhythm India’s 95 performers, during the Rockets vs. Clippers, half time show at the the Toyota Center last Saturday, March 29.

 

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By Vanshika Vipin
HOUSTON: For the twenty thousand people who attended the Houston Rockets versus the Los Angeles Clippers game at the Toyota Center on March 29, it was probably difficult to judge what was more exciting – the game or the breathtaking performance by Rhythm India at half time when the Rockets trailed by just 3. In the end Rockets lost by a few but the audience got yet another great performance by Rhythm India.

Arzan Gonda (front) with a group of participants before their performance.

Arzan Gonda (front) with a group of participants before their performance.

Rhythm India was the first ever Bollywood dance company to perform during the half time under the massive dome of the Toyota Center during a Rockets game in 2011. Since then, Arzan Gonda and her team have been performing at this venue every year for the Rockets. This performance was slightly different from the typical Bollywood fare, as about 95 dancers from Rhythm India launched their Bollyfood fitness work out routine called “Jhoom”.

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James Hardin scored 32 points in the game but Rhythm India’s routines were perfect three-pointers during the half time. With a relatively simple choreography, since this was a fitness workout, the dancers covered the court effectively and effortlessly. Distancing themselves from detailed attires that are associated with Bollywood dances, Rhythm India performers were dressed in simple black work out attires, only adorning earings, hand accessories and the brand Rhythm India bindi (forehead sticker).
The 3.5 minute long performance included popular Bollywood songs like “Dilliwali Girlfriend”, “Chingam Chabake” and “Lungi Dance”. The age group of the dancers varied from pre-teens to late fifties. Kanishka Deepak, the youngest of the group, all of ten years old said that she was “nervouscited” – a combination of nervous and excited as it was her first performance. The oldest of the group, Madhvee Patel was excited as well. She’s been dancing with Rhythm India for four years now and this was her first Rockets performance. “We’ve been practicing for this for two months”, said Madhvee.
Indo-American News caught up with Arzan Gonda after the performance. A proud Arzan said “this was one of the most memorable performances at the half time for me because we had close to a hundred dancers on the floor and every single person out there was so excited and thrilled to be performing on that court. For most of the participants, this was there first time at Toyota Center and we could feel each other’s energy down on that court. The post performance blues have already kicked in.”
Soon after the show, Arzan received an email she shared with Indo-American News. It was from a non-Indian member of the audience posted via Rhythm India’s website “I saw you tonight at the Rockets game and the performance was wonderful. Could you possibly share the list of music that was used? I would love to add them to my running playlist!” Apparently even in NBA, Bollywood does have its effects.
Rhythm India’s next big project is Bollywood Blast 2014 – held at the Miller Outdoor theatre on August 31 (Labor Day Sunday). Open auditions for this show for dancers and actors are being held on Sunday, April 6 and April 13 in Sugarland.

For further information, log on to www.rhythm-india.com or call 281-968-9479.