Jazba at the Northrop

The Bollywood fusion dance competition continues to dazzle years after its genesis

By Mitchell Levesque

In the Northrop auditorium, integration of TV shows and movies such as “Black Mirror” and “Incredibles 2” with Bollywood fusion dance yields an interesting result, yet no one could have expected the intricate and exhilarating experience that occured on Saturday night’s stage. Jazba, a Hindi-Urdu word meaning “passion,” is an annual intercollegiate dance competition, aiming to highlight South Asian culture while raising money for the non-profit Women in Need. 

Bollywood fusion is the combining of genres such as contemporary, hip hop, and—of course—Bhangra, an ebullient traditional dance of Indian culture. Although each group that participated represented the unique blend with their own twist, a central thread running throughout was the incorporation of a skit, featuring references to various TV shows and movies. Washu Chaahat, a group hailing from Washington University in St. Louis, gave a portrayal of the Black Mirror episode “Hang the DJ.” Many groups, while incorporating skits, also blended the music, with one group featuring Bollywood vocals on the top of Biggie Smalls’ “Hypnotize” instrumental. If there was any match to what was happening on stage, it was the crowd: “oohing” and “aahing,” the atmosphere was electrifying as the performance filled the ground floor and three balconies in Northrop. 

After the festivities, the action settled down to crown the winner. Following an exuberant performance by University of Michigan’s Michigan Izzat, the all-men's fusion team took home the first place prize. Despite being three and half hours, Jazba made good use of its time, showing off dedicated groups that celebrate South Asian culture. The only question that remains is whether next year’s Jazba will be able to match the passion of this one.