Performance Analysis Paper #1

Prajna Wankawalla

DANC280

10/27/2024

A Fusion Dance Journey

The performance I have chosen to watch and analyze is "Talaash," a lively cultural medley of

performances hosted by the Southern California Indo-Americans (SCIA) association at USC's

Bovard Auditorium. Among a collection of 7 distinct performances, Zeher, the leading

Bollywood fusion competitive dance group at USC, delivered a captivating routine that

featured imaginative storytelling paired with intricate choreography. Drawing inspiration

from Stranger Things, Zeher crafted an engaging tale filled with mystery and suspense

through a distinctive blend of Bharatnatyam, Bollywood, Jhoomar Hip-Hop, and Lyrical

dance styles. This fusion did not solely highlight sophisticated technical expertise but also

shed light upon their interpretive creativity combined with a commitment to conserving

South Asian traditions while implementing elements of modern dance.

The performance commenced with a vigorous hip-hop component. Characterized by sharp

movements and powerful isolations, the dancers inspired a feeling of urgency and

determination in the audience which acts as a perfect mirror to the dark and suspenseful genre

of Stranger Things (Stranger Things). The dancers brilliantly displayed Hip-hop’s grounded

and explosive energy through low stances, intricate yet precise footwork, and sharp gestures.

They captured the space through agile movements as they shifted into various tight

formations that magnified the tense atmosphere. Although I was able to spot minor errors in

spacing, the dancers were able to capture the audience’s attention through synchronized
movements and high energy levels: an electric beginning to the performance that set the stage

for the narrative’s progression.

The sharp, harsh breaks of hip-hop quickly transitioned into a slower Bharatnatyam, an

Indian classical dance style and performance that created a significant shift in tone. This

section introduced fluid and emotional elements and depth to the piece, as the dancers moved

to the beautiful song “Satrangi Re”. Bharatnatyam’s detailed adavus (footwork), expressive

mudras (communicative hand gestures), and nritta (pure dance) movements seemed to

communicate an internal struggle that widely contradicted the earlier mechanical movements

of hip-hop. As a classical dancer myself, the element that struck me the most in this segment

was the dancers' expertise in abhinaya (emotive storytelling). The intentional movements

along with facial expressions effectively conveyed the inner conflict as the dancers illustrated

the intricate emotions tied to the 'Upside Down' from Stranger Things.

Following a brief Bharatnatyam segment, the performance shifted back to hip-hop. I think

these swift transitions between dance styles symbolize the two realms of Stranger Things: the

real world and the 'Upside Down,' showcasing their close relationship. In this second hip-hop

segment, stark costume changes, including varsity jackets to create a high school setting,

emulated the Stranger Things setting of Hawkins Middle School. Coupled with this, half of

the dancers wore darker costumes to visually differentiate between the narrative’s contrasting

elements. Tactic costume choices had a greater function than simply aiding the story’s

development— it allowed the audience to visually follow tonal and character changes,

making costume design a tool that truly enhanced the narrative.

Another dance form was quickly introduced with the beginning of a Bollywood segment set

to the energetic song "Heartthrob". The dancers incorporated a theatrical 'filmi' aspect into

their choreography to genuinely reflect the uniqueness of Bollywood. Signature sweeping

vibrant energy into the performance. Dancers shifted between tight and large formations in

this segment in order to create a dynamism that almost seemed to mirror the cinematic feel of

a Bollywood music video. Playful interactions with the audience increased engagement and

added a celebratory feel- a perceived victory of reality over the ‘Upside Down’. This part

emerged as a funny and light-hearted pause amid the darker themes of the overall

performance.

The show then shifted dramatically, moving from a vibrant display to a lyrical dance

segment. The combination of lyrical dance, merging ballet and jazz, brought a fresh layer to

the Stranger Things representation, revealing a more contemplative aspect of the story. In this

portion, dancers frequently transitioned between sitting and lying down, employing floor

work and seamless shifts. I think these features highlight vulnerability and emotional richness

as the performers lower themselves to the ground. The smoothness of their movements

seemed to evoke a feeling of isolation, effectively reflecting the emotional terrain of

characters during a quieter moment as they come to terms with the fact that the ‘Upside

Down’ is an integral part of them. Scattered formations coupled with negative space magnify

the characters’ isolation upon this realization to successfully convey this emotional arc.

After a series of sudden, sharp, and jarring transitions from one dance style to another, and

one emotion to another the climax of the piece finally arrived, influenced by Afro and

Jhoomar dance styles which created a joyful atmosphere of resolution. Afro dance,

characterized by its relaxed and expressive motions, provided a sharp contrast to the rigid

precision of the previous segments. The dancers moved with a sense of slowness and

strength, conveying a free-flowing energy and a sense of togetherness, signifying the

conclusion of the narrative’s conflict. The experience was further intensified by the addition
of Jhoomar, a traditional Punjabi dance characterized by bent knees, graceful shoulder

movements, and swaying motions that conveyed a rooted, festive energy. The concluding

domino effect sequence, where the movement transitioned seamlessly from one dancer to the

next, highlighted a symbolic unity and bond among each performer, concluding the piece

with a shared sense of happiness and achievement. I believe these movements highlighted the

power of unity and collaboration in defeating the “Upside Down”, inspiring a feeling of

peaceful resolution.

Analysing this performance from a technical lens, it was extremely ambitious. Zeher

choreographed a piece that relied on multiple rapid transitions between emotions, styles, and

formations each highlighting a different element of the narrative. While there was some room

for improvement, such as mistime blackouts that seemed to briefly disrupt the flow, these

minor errors were compensated for through the high energy levels and the dancers’

commitment to such a challenging choreography. Additionally, the domino effect, which was

employed on two occasions during the performance, was uneven at times. However, the

dancers successfully captured the overall visual effect, and there was a clear indication of the

group’s collaborative spirit.

This performance, to me, was a testament to the power of creative fusion to ideate novel

choreographies. The piece had a perfect blend of technically challenging segments to

demonstrate the dancers’ abilities and balanced and interpretative storytelling. I personally

felt inspired by this piece, awed by how storytelling can be reimagined via dance. I also felt a

deep sense of appreciation towards USC’s dance community as it continues to blend together

South Asian dance with a modern twist.

Stranger Things, season 1, Netflix, 15 July 2016. Netflix, [Link]