Founded in 2016, the Rowan University Rangeela Dance Team is a way for Indian culture to be brought to Rowan University and shared with others. Rangeela is a Bollywood fusion dance team that is a mix of different types of dance styles. The dance team blends a mix of Bollywood, classical Indian, hip-hop, and fusion elements. 

This year, the Rangeela Dance Team has two co-captains, Anmol Patel and Shah Purva. As co-captains, they help with choreography, organizing practices, and making the team a fun environment for everyone. The dance team often posts flyers around campus and on their social media page. The way other students and faculty can get involved is when the Rangeela Dance team hosts their general dance workshops once a month, where they teach 30 seconds of choreography. 

“The general workshop is a great way for students to see if they like the dance environment, and it’s a great way for us to keep an eye on those who pick up choreography easily and show enthusiasm. Then, a few days after the workshop, we hold official tryouts to select the new members of our team,” said Patel. 

The dance team consists of two dance choreographers, Megan Thomas and Niva Shah. Both Thomas and Shah work together to create memorable pieces that surround South Asian culture. Currently, the team is working on a piece called “Sun Saathiya.” This piece is one of the slow, intricate steps that describe falling in love. One of the most known dance pieces from the Rangeela Dance team was the routine from Navratri Night.

“We performed a mashup of three songs that were inspired by the Indian dance style, ‘Garba.’ This was the first piece that I helped choreograph, and I really love how it turned out,” said Thomas. 

Another memorable performance was the team dancing in a showcase called “Kababayan” in April of 2023. This performance was for the Rowan University Philippine American Coalitions. 

“The song was a fusion of Bollywood and English songs, and I loved how the performance turned out overall with the lighting, costumes, and just the constant cheering coming from the audience. I knew at that point where I’ve gotten recognized, and I now come to practice with a constant mindset related to passion and determination,” said Aswini Subramanian, a member of the team. 

Some auditions are held for new students to be a part of the Rangeela Dance team. The team posts their flyers on their social media for new members to try out. The team is full of students who are dedicated and have a passion for dance. To keep each dance routine unique, the choreographers include different genres. 

“In the past, we have done Garba-inspired dances and Bollywood mashups, and we are now practicing for a more lyrical ballad. Within the performances, we use different formations and vary between fast and slow-paced segments,” said Shah.

The team is hosting their general dance workshops to teach people some Bhangra moves at the Wellness Center on Feb. 24. The team is currently working on two new routines to be shown on April 4 at the SASA Formal and April 19 at the RUPAC’s Kababayan event. 

The Rangeela Dance team creates a strong community where students are allowed to show their love for dance and love for their culture. The dancers all support each other and help grow as a community. 

“The team is super welcoming, supportive, and fun. You’ll learn a lot and make great friends,” said Anveshna Singh, a member of the team.

“My biggest advice is to come to the workshop with passion, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Prior dance experience is not needed. What truly matters is your energy, adaptability, and commitment to the team. Stay open to feedback, support other dancers, and enjoy the process because the best performances come from a team that loves what they do together,” said Patel.

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