Every year since its inception nine years ago, Rangila has sold out Gaston Hall. Is the show worth the hype?
Even to one unfamiliar with the intricacies of South Asian culture, this year’s Rangila was not only worth the endless wait in Red Square, but was also a step above those of the past.
“It’s been so long; last year it went past midnight,” Tanvi Parikh (CAS ‘05) Rangila’s co-coordinator said. “We consciously made an effort to keep it short.”
By timing every dance during rehearsal in Gaston and cutting out the once customary video about the show’s rehearsal process, Parikh successfully trimmed nearly three hours off the show, bringing it to a mere two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.
“We also made sure the emcees rehearsed in front of people,” Parikh continued.
The rehearsal paid off. Last year most jokes fell flat and the emcees’ scenes between dances droned on for as long as the actual acts. This year’s hosts offered quick, self-deprecating, consistently funny introductions to each dance or musical act.
The shorter show allowed the show’s strong points to shine. Rangila regulars, the a cappella group Harmony, showcased the extremely talented soloist Mithuna Sivaraman (SFS ‘08). For those who also didn’t dance, the trimmed down fashion show displayed extremely attractive models and beautiful, contemporary South Asian clothing. Dance group Groove Theory, as expected, wowed the audience with its modern interpretation of South Asian dance and beats.
This melding of American, South Asian and other cultures is where Rangila was at its best. In “The Battle,” traditional Indian male dancers faced off against the shockingly good Hoya Break Squad. The biggest surprise of the show though was the hip-hop duet between Ian Thompson (MSB ‘05) and Indra Sen (CAS ‘08). Sen’s voice was smooth, sexy and hypnotic. Thompson, in his clashing South Asian attire and Timberland boots, put together rhymes better than anything on the radio. The words, music and lyrics were all original, and the performance left every audience member scanning their programs for the duo’s names.
The entire show, from the theater skits to the dances to the emcees’ introductory skits, remained consistent with the show’s theme: the South Asian wedding. The theme played throughout the show even in the most minute details. The red, white and orange flower garlands adorning the stage are traditional South Asian wedding decorations. Even the programs took the form of wedding invitations. Parikh, who formulated the theme, thought it was the perfect representation of the spirit of Rangila.
“Every year Rangila includes more cultural aspects,” Parikh explained. Representing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, “We try to introduce all of South Asia to Georgetown.”
