Baala Shakya, Staff Photographer

Sharing performances from classical Indian music to Bollywood dance, 14 student groups took the stage at Woolsey Hall to sing and dance for an audience of over 500 attendees.

Dhamaal is South Asian Society’s largest event of the year and invites students from different campuses in the Northeast. This year, the showcase included student groups Kalaa, Dhvani, MonstRAASity, Avaaz, Jashan Bhangra, Navarasa and Rangeela, along with non-Yale groups from Cornell, Duke, Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.

“There’s such a wide range of talent and styles on display, and it’s always inspiring to see how people bring their own cultural influences into their performances,” said Gareema Dhiman GRD ’29, co-captain of Yale MonstRAASity.

Dhiman called the experience of performing after months of preparation “surreal and rewarding.” 

In particular, she loved watching how all the teams adapted style, music and formation in unique ways in their performances. MonstRAASity, for its part, synthesized Raas, a traditional folk dance style originating in Gujarat, India, with modern elements. 

Dhiman worked with team co-captain Ritvik Senjalia ’27 to rebuild the group after many core members graduated from Yale last year. Together, they recruited new dedicated members. The process of learning choreography together and practicing late into the night has brought the team closer, Dhiman said.

“We’ve been incredibly grateful to find students who are passionate about keeping this dance form alive,” she said. “We spend so much time rehearsing that we’ve built friendships beyond just dance, and MonstRAASity has truly started to feel like a family.”

Krishna Tewatia ’26, a team member, said the group’s high energy always makes for an engaging performance, and the group’s inclusive and lighthearted nature always creates space for fun.

Kavya Gupta ’27, who is part of Yale’s traditional Punjabi folk dance team Jashan Bhangra, said that the team begins preparing its set in September — seven months before the performance in March. Throughout the academic year, they phase out older pieces from the past and slowly incorporate new ones. 

“We finally unveil our completely new set every year at Dhamaal,” said Gupta, adding that the unique preparation schedule makes the process leading up to the showcase less stressful. 

For Gupta, what makes Dhamaal special is connecting with dancers on campus and meeting students from other schools. She said that she was excited to watch her peers perform and catch up with a friend from MIT’s Bhangra team.

Dhiman echoed Gupta’s sentiments about meeting students from different universities. 

“Coming from a state with a very small Indian population, it has been really exciting to see and be part of such a big South Asian performing arts community at Dhamaal,” said Dhiman.

Growing up performing ballet and Indian dance, Dhiman started a Bollywood dance group in her undergraduate years at the University of Utah. 

She emphasized her gratitude for MonstRAASity’s acceptance of graduate students and said that the team has been an outlet for her to stay connected to her cultural roots. 

“Raas is more than just a performance,” said Dhiman. “It’s a celebration of community, energy, and connection.” 

With its vibrant performances drawing participants and eager attendees from across the northeast, Dhamaal seems to embody that ethos. 

The Schwarzman Center is located at 168 Grove St.