Across college campuses from the West Coast to the East Coast, a beautiful, highly competitive, and thriving dance culture exists. It blends traditions that have existed for centuries with modern energy, passion, and intense athleticism. This includes schools such as the University of Illinois, Dartmouth, and the University of Southern California, among many other outstanding institutions. These South Asian collegiate dance teams encompass various styles to create dazzling performances that captivate crowds.
These teams are more than just performance groups — they are vibrant communities built around shared culture, discipline, and immense creativity. Dancers rehearse and choreograph routines that fuse multiple forms of South Asian dance with choreographies often tailored to specific competitions. These performances feature traditional styles such as Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance from Tamil Nadu known for its precise movements and expressive storytelling; Bhangra, a high-energy folk dance from Punjab characterized by fast footwork and lively movements; and Kathak, a style from Uttar Pradesh known for its intricate footwork and grace. Many teams also incorporate Bollywood-inspired choreography, blending cinematic flair with diverse South Asian dance styles. One of the most unique aspects of these groups is their ability to create dynamic, emotionally resonant performances by integrating styles like jazz, hip-hop, or lyrical dance with traditional forms. For example, Naach, from Loyola University Chicago, seamlessly blends different dance styles to tell a story, showing how each form can evoke a distinct emotion.
Each team spends months perfecting every detail of their performances—practicing several times a week for two to three hours per session—while also fine-tuning costumes and music to create a truly entrancing show. However, being part of a dance team isn't always easy. It can be demanding and time-consuming, especially during competition season, but the rewards are immense. A member of Indiana University's competitive Bollywood Fusion team, Jhanak, explains:
“We practiced 16 hours a week during the first semester. Once we got into comps, we increased practice by a couple of hours in the second semester. Practice would start at 8PM and end around 1-1:30AM. It was hard to balance classes with dance as the team demanded a lot of our attention.”
“It’s only worth it if your whole team is on the same page and gets along with each other.”
However, not all teams compete. Angela Cyriac, who has danced at both Loyola University Chicago and Boston University, explains:
“I was part of LUC Naach (Loyola University Chicago’s Bollywood Fusion Dance team), which isn’t a competing team — we had 2-hour practices three times a week — and we just performed at various events, but we’d perform similar 10–12 minute routines.”
These teams compete in high-stakes events throughout the academic year. Some of the most prestigious competitions include Bhangra Blowout, Raas All Stars, and the Legends Dance Championship. Founded in 2016, Legends is the premier national dance circuit for collegiate South Asian fusion teams. Their mission statement reads:
“We are united in our deep passion for this circuit and fostering our community of South Asian performing artists.”
Legends connects a network of over 150 teams across the country through a season-long series of competitions, culminating in the Legends Dance Championship, where the highest-ranked teams compete for national titles. Most colleges also host their annual competitions, such as Rutgers' NJ Nach, Northwestern’s Tufaan, and University of Wisconsin’s ADZ, which serve as official bid competitions for Legends. These events allow teams to earn points and qualify for the final championship, Legends. Past Legends winners include the University of Texas at Dallas’ Bollywood Fusion team, UTD Raftaar (2024), and Ohio State University’s OSU Origins (2023).
In addition to the high-energy performances and intense competition, collegiate South Asian dance competitions are also known for their pre-competition mixers. Held the evening before the main event, these mixers are organized by the host school's competition board and serve as a welcome event for all participating teams. The teams play a variety of interactive games and icebreakers designed to foster a sense of community among dancers from different schools and teams. These activities not only help participants relax and bond over their shared passion for dance but also lay the foundation for lasting friendships and a supportive community that extends beyond the competition itself.
These competitions are often the most anticipated and meaningful events for teams. Shayna Patel, a member of Boston University's Garba-Raas team, BU Fatakada, explains:
“The most exciting events for the team are definitely competitions. We build up our entire year around the 2–4 competitions we go to during the spring semester. It’s really beautiful to see our entire year’s worth of effort come together on stage. It’s something we’re all so proud of. And competitions are so fun because there are so many different aspects to it, such as the mixer, props setup, tech rehearsal, taking pictures, the actual show, breaking down props, and the afterparty. Sometimes we stay for an extra couple of hours or days to enjoy the city we’re visiting too. It’s such a great way for the team to bond, and it’s always such a blast.”
The experience of being in these incredible dance groups extends far beyond the stage. It includes building lifelong relationships, expressing cultural pride, and finding a strong sense of belonging. A member of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Bollywood Fusion group, Taara, reflects:
“Being part of Taara shaped my UCSB experience in ways that go far beyond dance. This team is where we challenge ourselves, create and express freely, and find a community that makes this campus feel like home. The relationships we build are grounded in trust, care, and a shared love for our culture and dance. And these bonds will continue to grow for life.”
These heartfelt reflections capture what makes South Asian collegiate dance teams so impactful. The long rehearsals and powerful performances create more than a routine—they build community, resilience, and lifelong friendships.
By Leia Patel, House of Jaya Intern
Leia Patel was born in the Chicagoland area and is a third year student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, studying fashion design. Her work focuses on the importance of family and the experience of being Indian American.
