Binghamton University’s Masti, an all-female South Asian fusion dance team, placed first at Mugabla 2009, an annual intercollegiate dance competition.
BU’s team beat out 10 competitors, including Rochester University, State University of New York at Geneseo, Columbia University, American University, Hunter College and SUNY at Buffalo.
This year’s competition was hosted by the Indian Student Association of the University at Buffalo on Saturday.
“Last year we competed and didn’t place, and the year before that we won first place,” said Sejal Singh, a senior psychobiology major and secretary for BU Masti. “This year we beat out the first place team from last year, the Rochester Roch-the-Raas. It was redemption.”
According to Singh, the team, which was established in 2003, has worked very hard for their recent win.
The University’s team performs to classical Indian dancing, Bhangra, Garbam hip-hop and Bollywood.
“We compete against the best of the best with different styles of dancing,” Singh said. “We compete for bragging rights and college pride, and are currently ranked fifth in the nation among fusion dance teams of the East Coast and West Coast.”
The goal of the Masti team is to preserve the heritage of South Asia in America and spread the culture through competitive dance, the team information said.
On campus, the team performs at various events including Binghamton’s Got Talent, the BSSI Gala, Relay for Life, Asian Night and the Masti Showcase.
The team will next compete at Desi Hungama in Syracuse in 2010, as well as Relay for Life and the second annual Masti Showcase, both at BU.