Northwestern University’s all-female dance team, Deeva, claimed victory at the Nachte Raho competition held at the University of Iowa on February 14, 2024. This event featured eight performances, showcasing Deeva’s ability to blend traditional and modern South Asian dance styles. Recognized nationally for its innovative choreography, Deeva integrates a variety of dance forms, including kuthu, bhangra, Odissi, hip-hop, and contemporary styles.
The team, which is part of Desi Dance Network Inc., participates in one to two competitions annually, alongside performances for campus events such as the South Asian Students Alliance show. Earlier this year, Deeva competed at Purdue University for Nasha, a premier Bollywood fusion and Garba-Raas dance competition.
After an exhilarating performance at Nachte Raho, Deeva was announced as the first-place winner, marking the team’s first win since 2020. Co-Captain and senior at Weinberg College, Taera Kaka, expressed her astonishment at the win, stating, “My initial thought was we could have placed second or third. First was out of my scope of what I thought was possible.” The team celebrated their victory with joy, with Kaka recalling the moment they realized they had won. “We screamed for about a minute before anyone realized that we’re supposed to pick up the trophy, which was also funny,” she added.
Reflecting on the competition experience, first-year member Nethra Pai noted that the team felt “a lot more relaxed” compared to previous competitions. This positive mindset contributed significantly to their success. She emphasized the dedication of the captains, saying, “For the captains, it’s their last competition, and they put in a lot of work. So we were just like, ‘Let’s just have fun with it.’”
Deeva dancers rehearse three times a week for two hours, increasing practice time during competition seasons. Co-Captain and junior Sanjana Basava highlighted the importance of maintaining a fun atmosphere during rehearsals, which fosters better group chemistry. She recounted how the captains took the time to celebrate Valentine’s Day by writing personalized cards for each team member, further strengthening the team bonds.
For Pai, Deeva represents more than just a dance team; it serves as a supportive community. “College is a big change, so having something like this is really nice,” she shared. “It gives me a group of friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise; it gives me people that I know have my back.”
While many members have prior experience in classical and modern South Asian dance, they frequently explore various styles to create unique fusion pieces. Basava mentioned that Deeva’s annual spring show provides every member with the opportunity to choreograph their own creative piece, allowing for personal expression.
Both Basava and Kaka expressed that the spring show is a highlight of their experience with Deeva. “It’s really nice to have a creative outlet that’s also challenging in itself,” Basava remarked. “You get to express a very different side of you. It’s a really cool experience, and I absolutely love the team and everyone on it.”
