The Magic of Bollywood and Dance at Infusion 2016
Photos: Murali Santhana
By Vanshika Vipin
STAFFORD: Have you been to a show that left you wondering if it’s happening in real or is it a fairy tale? Audiences at Stafford Civic Center experienced something similar on November 19, at the Infused Performing Art’s annual showcase event – Infusion 2016 – ‘A Magical Bollywood Spectacular’. The rocking show was created a la Bollywood Fairytale style. Super talented founders Kiron Kumar and Tina Bose Kumar managed to spell-bound the audience with their Bollywood interpretation of Cinderella. Students of Infused Arts Dance Company displayed jaw-dropping performances with their energetic and colourful dances. Stafford witnessed a mesmerising show with powerful performances and graceful dance presentations.
Known for having a super talented troupe of dancers, the Infused Dance Company conducts Bollywood dance classes and custom choreography for special occasions. Choreographers Kiron Kumar and Tina Bose Kumar have been consistently delivering electrifying performances to various audiences since its foundation in 2009. Be it their Half-time show at Rockets v/s Oklahoma City or The Breathless Show at Miller Outdoor theatre or Infusion 2015, this Dance Company has proved its mettle by delivering smashing dance shows. The well co-ordinated dances and spectacular performances prove the experience and talent of the choreographers. Students of all age groups learn dance at their studios in Dallas, Pearland and Stafford. After being featured on Fox 26, ABC 13 and CW39 News, they were recently featured in Anthony Bordian show (Houston Edition).
The Bollywood Spectacular show represented a mixed bag of powerful stunts, grand magical illusions and colourful flowing costumes with various forms of dance. Little girls in 3-5 age group melted hearts with their cute performances on ‘Chudi Jo’ and ‘Cham Cham’. Dancing with umbrellas they looked so adorable and sweet that one would feel like rushing up the stage to hug them. Boys of the same age group stunned the audience by doing front roll and hand stands with songs such as ‘Lucky tu Lucky me’ and ‘Baby ko base’ playing in the background. It was great fun to watch little boys perform such stunts. Girls at the intermediate level also exhibited lifts and jumps on Bollywood hits like ‘Nachangi Sari Raat’ and ‘Tamanche pe Disco’. All ladies gyrated on ‘Nachde Ne Saare’ to prove that dance is not age-restricted. In sharp contrast, the boys delivered power-packed performances and heavy acrobats. Their energy and agility was commendable.
And then there was the groovy Tattad Tattad & Malhaari Mix, performed with the incredible magic illusion. The medley of the past half a decade of songs were so remarkably full of fun ‘n frolic that if you were a part of the audience, the rhythm and energy, the pulsating music and the twists would have tempted you to shake a leg and boogie. The classical duet of Kiron and Akhila on ‘Mere Dholna’ had the audience asking for more. Ella (played by Akhila) enthralled the audience by leaving a magical bangle behind for Prem (played by Kiron) to find her. This combination of Bollywood and drama amazed the crowd. ‘Agal Bagal’ performance tickled the funny bone of the audience. The fusion classical dance ‘Thillana’ perfomed by girls in multi-colored Spanish skirts created a kaleidoscope of color on the stage. The grand finale was icing on the cake. All students performed together on ‘Kaala Chashma’ and wobble baby mix, giving a perfect ending to the mind-boggling show.
A show that had Bollywood, dance, magic, color, stunts, energy, drama and so much madness got a well-deserved standing ovation at the end. The full-house show fascinated diverse crowds. There were plenty of non-Indians in the audience, driving a point that Infused has indeed spread Bollywood in Houston. Kiron Kumar and Yaksha Bhatt deserve credit for the script and dialogues. Lighting by Balu Madhu and Kiran Asokan created the perfect drama. The stage managers Kavya Pasumarthi and Swetha Neelkant did a fabulous job.
Watch out for Rockets vs. OKC Halftime performance by Infused Performing Arts on March 26, 2017
For further details visit: www.infusedperformingarts.com or Contact: 724-638-7338 for auditions for upcoming shows.