DOON SUPERSTAR SEASON 2
November 2016
Doon Superstar 2016 was one of the biggest dance hunt properties of Uttarakhand. For the 2nd season in 2016, we had an overwhelming response of 125 participants from kids ranging from 5 to 25 years of age. Over 85 entries from all across from the top schools, colleges and dance institutions of Uttarakhand participated in the Finale.
As a reflection of today’s modern times, the contest attracted solo, duo, and group performances in new dance styles like western, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. But as a step to ensure that classical dance forms don’t get lose its pride of place, the contest had separate categories for classical entries.
For the second season, we put together a team of immensely talented dance personalities from Mumbai, Saharanpur, and Haridwar to judge the event. Dhanashree Mehta is the Artistic Director of Integral Dance Studio, Mumbai, and runs an NGO to spread the magic of dance to lesser privileged sections of society. Mrs. Madhavi Bhattacharya, a Kathak exponent for over 30 years and disciple of Birju Maharaj, is the Director of nn
Divine Dance Academy and actively promotes arts and culture in Uttarakhand. Mr. K. K. Garg is the director of Mansi Institute of Fine Arts, and his students have won many awards in contests like Saregama, Meri Awaj Suno, Little Champ, Boogie Woogie.
While kids hailing from Dehradun, Mussoorie, Haridwar, Chamoli, and more travelled far and wide to prove their dancing prowess on the Doon Superstar stage, many deserving participants were felicitated with the starry trophies of the event.
The winners, Anshul Kumar and Swati Arya, got a 3 month scholarship worth Rs. 80,000 in Professional Dance Education
with the Integral Dance Company, Mumbai. After that, the winners have all achieved a lot of success. Anshul bagged a lead role in a feature movie produced by Blue Mug Boy Productions. Swati Arya was featured in Prince Narula's TV show, Dance Plus Season 1, and was in the top 10 for One United- a music video produced by Simon Cowell. Shubham came in top 5 for the PODS dance battle held in Mumbai.
Finally, the event was also used as a platform to throw light on social and developmental issues of the nation. The entire contest was dedicated to the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao government initiative, and as a tribute to war widows of the nation. Moreover, all contestants were encouraged to pick social themes like women empowerment, public cleanliness, and child labour to create social transformation through the medium of dance.