Bhangin’ It: A Bhangin’ New Musical
By Sona Bhargava
As a South Asian collegiate student who is heavily involved in Desi Dance Network, representation of this niche chaotic lifestyle is hard to come by. However, this month La Jolla Playhouse, a theatre located at the University of California, San Diego, follows the story of a collegiate Bhangra dancer, Mary Darshini Clarke (Ari Afsar).
Bhangin’ It: A Bhangin’ New Musical details Clarke’s journey through South Asian-inspired music and dance. Clarke constructed her own bhangra team at East Lansing University when her creative directions were not supported. Bhangin’ It reflects the prevalence of South Asian dance teams in the lives of individuals who participate in dance at university. Clarke’s character is driven by her passion for dance, despite dealing with internal issues. In this way, Clarke’s character highlights the lengths that today’s South Asian students will go to preserve their culture and love for dance. To our community, music and dance are crucial pillars of Indian culture. It is heartening to see this being portrayed in the structure of musical theater, where South Asian representation is largely lacking.
Afsar can relate to her character’s conflicting South Asian and American identities, stating that the character “has made her see herself in a way that [she’s] never seen before.” She grew up doing musicals and received a degree in ethnomusicology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also played Eliza Hamilton in the Chicago Production of Hamilton for two years.
Bhangin It’ is based on a novel by couple Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew. Lew Mirza wrote the book after spending years as a fan of the Bhangra dance style and even writing a screenplay about the art form. The couple both enjoy the dance style and even had Bhangra dance styles at their wedding.
While the show does focus on Bhangra as the main form of dance, the musical also features the folk dance style of Kathak. The Punjabi dance style of Bhangra combines intense cardio and high-energy to produce traditional and powerful movements. In contrast, kathak movements involve sharp, fast spins and delicate hand gestures that pay homage to South Asian narratives. Additionally, the music played during the show uses traditional Indian instruments.
It is refreshing to see new cultural styles reflected in large theaters such as the La Jolla Playhouse. Bhangin’ It will be in the La Jolla Playhouse through April 17th, and I encourage you to attend if you are in the area to witness a cultural breakthrough in the world of musicals. Finally, the drama of the desi dance circuits has now been brought to the musical theater stage.
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