On March 29, Amador Valley’s Bollywood team, Dhamaka, hosted its highly anticipated annual showcase, Isvara, in the MPR. The event marked the culmination of their 2024-2025 season and featured talented dance teams from all over the Bay Area.

A Growing Tradition

“This showcase is very special to us because it’s our third showcase that our team hosted here in Amador and so we want to improve and grow as a team each year,” said Dhamaka Captain Saurabh Joraphur (‘26).

Each year, the showcase grows in scale and ambition. With a strong emphasis on community and collaboration, Dhamaka has established Isvara as a respected platform for high school dance teams to perform and celebrate Bollywood dance culture. 

The teams performed mashups of Bollywood and English songs, blending different dance styles and featuring a wide variety of Indian dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Bhangra, and other Bollywood styles. 

Behind the Scenes

Hosting Isvara comes with significant planning and responsibility. From coordinating logistics to decorating the space, Dhamaka’s members took charge of every detail.

“We had teams in different classrooms, so we had to make sure teachers were okay with it and that everything was clean afterward. We also had to rent the MPR and make sure all those conditions were met, such as setting up the stage, setting up all the decorations and chairs which our team puts a lot of effort into,” said Dhamaka Captain Amishi Anand (‘25).

A Star-Studded Lineup

This year’s lineup featured performances by several acclaimed teams, such as Foothill Fizaa, known for competing at Bollywood Berkeley, Mission San Jose Ishaara, who performed at a Golden State Warriors game, and American High School Udaan, which specializes in Garba and Rass.

“Being from Milpitas’s Bollywood team, Masti, Isvara is a very anticipated showcase for us. We are always excited for the enthusiastic crowd, meeting friends, and exploring the nearby downtown in our free time,” said Captain of the Bollywood team at Milpitas High School, Naisha Desai.

A Performance with a Plot

Unlike most showcases, which feature a series of back-to-back dances, Dhamaka incorporated a storyline into their set. This concept of star-crossed lovers brought together dance, acting and storytelling.

“Our team had a full plot as part of our show, so we had to do voiceovers, acting, and scripting, which was different than normal,” said Anand. “Every single member of our team really stepped it up and ensured that everything worked smoothly.”