By JON STOKES
Bollywood became Polywood at an Auckland Indian high school dance competition on Saturday when it was won by a team that was almost all Polynesian.
The team of Maori, Samoan, Tongan and Nigerian students from Otara's Tangaroa College took the mainly Indian audience by surprise at the Indian High
School Dance Competition at the Logan Campbell Centre.
Bob Kumar, one of the 3000 who packed the centre, said he had not expected to see a non-Indian team shuffle on to the stage at the popular event. "We thought they would do a Polynesian dance."
Instead the group danced in classical Indian style to music from a movie starring popular Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan.
"It was awesome. Everyone in the Indian community is talking about it. It was beautiful - it really rocked the audience," said Mr Kumar.
"Those people on the stage, they danced their hearts out.
"None compared to these Polynesians. They outclassed everyone. They were better than the Indian kids. It was perfect."
Seventeen Auckland schools entered the competition, including last year's winner, Avondale College.
"They [Tangaroa] did not have a single Indian in their team, not even one, it was amazing. It's good to see cultures mix together," said Mr Kumar.
The win was special for team coach Famida Adam, who picked the team from her Year 10 English class.
"I floated the idea of entering the event with my class. I showed them a few Hindi movies. They loved the moves and the beat."
The team had just six weeks to practise the routine, usually during their lunch-break because most had after-school sport commitments.
Ms Adam said the group was initially nervous about performing Indian dance to a mainly Indian audience. "They were a bit shy; they thought they would be mocked."
The concerns were quickly dispelled when the crowd warmed to the performance - and demanded an encore.
"There was lots of support from the crowd. We had to go back on stage and do a repeat performance.
"The Bollywood style dancing is very vibrant. Polynesians do it so well."
Ms Adam said the team members, who received $1000 and a trophy, were overwhelmed by the win.
