Atlantan Teams Ace Tampa Folk Dance Competiton
Two Indian dance teams from Atlanta bagged 8 awards at the Tampafest competition at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Representing Kala Gujri, the junior garba and the adult garba groups both won first place for dance, first place for costume jewelry, and first place for choreography. "Some 60 groups from around Florida participated in the tournament and more than 11,000 people attended the event," said Varsha Patel, who serves as manager for the two groups. "Our groups from Atlanta were the only out-of-state teams in the competition, so we're especially proud and excited that we won so many trophies."
Hetal Patel of Atlanta is the choreographer for both groups. The dancers in the 14-member adult garba are Amy Patel, Saroj Patel, Usha Bivek, Jyotsna Patel, Pallavi Patel, Niru Patel, Heena Hira, Purvi Shah, Hasmita Patel, Bhanu Patel, Reshma Shah, Diptika Patel, Nishi Patel and Ila Shroff. The dancers in the 12-member junior garba are Amee Amin, Shivany Bhakta, Priya Banit, Anushka, Karishma Chawla, Rupal Hira, Priya Malhotra, Chandni Patel, Janam Patel, Janki Patel, Seema Patel and Sapna Shah. "We salute the team managers and volunteers who helped make it possible, plus Mr. Shiv Agarwal at Global Mall who gave our teams a place to practice twice a week," added Varsha Patel.
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