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WPI Rangeela wins US intercollegiate bollywood dance competition
This marks the team’s first major competition win since its inception.
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Bhavana P - Sat, 31, May 2025
- 14:21 EDT
- 33
Members of WPI Rangeela holding the 1st place trophy / Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) dance team, Rangeela, clinched first place at Sholay 2025, an intercollegiate Bollywood Fusion dance competition hosted by Stony Brook University last month.
The team’s winning performance featured a high-energy routine that blended Bollywood, Bhangra, and contemporary dance styles, earning praise from judges for both technical excellence and compelling storytelling.
Also read: JHU Shakti wins national dance championship
The victory, just weeks before the founding members’ graduation, was described by team members as emotional and validating. It also marked the team’s first major competition win since its inception.
“It feels like everything that has happened over the last four years has led to this moment, humble because of the difficult times each person and the team has faced to get here, and most importantly PROUD because the team has worked so hard and deserves to be rewarded for the win,” said Alopa Waje one of the founding members.
Rangeela was founded in Fall 2021 by five WPI students—Alopa Waje, Pooja Kawatkar, Amrit Kaur, Rayna Jacob, and Aadhya Puttur—who shared a common interest in cultural dance. The student-led initiative has since grown into a team of over 25 active members.
“When the five of us first got together with the shared interest of dance, I never thought it would get to where we are today. We’ve grown to 25+ members, given so many the chance to perform on stage and learn new styles. To bring home First—right before graduation—leaves me speechless,” said Amrit Kaur.
WPI Rangeela at Sholay 2025 / Worcester Polytechnic InstituteThe competition, widely regarded as one of the leading platforms for collegiate South Asian dance in the United States, featured teams from across the country. Rangeela’s performance was commended not only for its choreography, but also for its presentation and emotional depth.
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) at WPI, which provides institutional support for multicultural student organizations, praised the team for their accomplishment.
“Together, this team continues to represent what’s possible when culture, creativity, and student-led excellence come together. ODIME is proud to support Rangeela as they inspire the next generation of student leaders, artists, and changemakers,” ODIME said in a statement.
Now comprising over 25 performers, Rangeela continues to be a cultural hub and creative outlet for WPI students.
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