Dhamakapella
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dhamakapella | |
|---|---|
 Dhamakapella in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | A cappella |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Website | dhamakapella.co |
Dhamakapella (abbreviated Dhamaka) is a coed South Asian fusion a cappella group based at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] Formed in the spring of 2005 by students Mayank Prasad, Raksha Soora, and Manoj Nair, Dhamakapella's music is influenced by both South Asian and Western genres, and mixes contemporary Western songs with popular South Asian music. Since Dhamaka's inception in 2005, the group has recorded and produced albums, EPs, and singles composed of both professional and original arrangements written by current members of the group or alumni. As CWRU's largest competitive a cappella group, the group competes nationally and has won thirty-one national titles.
Dhamakapella was formed in 2005 by student Mayank Prasad at Case Western Reserve University. With help from students Raksha Soora and Manoj Nair, Mayank organized and established the first university-recognized coed a cappella group, which would feature music from both Western and South Asian cultures. Within three years, Dhamakapella grew into a sixteen-member group, with singers of various and diverse styles. Due to the nontraditional arrangements and unique compositions, the group instantly stood out both on campus and in downtown Cleveland.[1]
Dhamakapella began nationally competing in the fall of 2011, becoming Case Western Reserve University's sole competitive a cappella group on campus. By 2016, they had already won six national titles at various competitions across the country. In 2017, after winning another 3 national titles, Dhamakapella was one of seven teams to qualify for the first-ever South Asian fusion a cappella bid-style championship, All-American Awaaz (A3), where they placed 3rd and won "Best Arrangement" for their arrangement of "Man Mandira". In 2018, Dhamakapella qualified again for A3 after holding the top spot in the bid point rankings for the entire season. They placed 2nd and received two individual awards. In 2019, in addition to qualifying yet again for A3, Dhamakapella entered the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) circuit in their local Midwest region for the first time. They were accepted into Quarterfinals where they placed 2nd and qualified for the Midwest Semifinal in St Louis, Missouri.[2]
In 2011, Dhamakapella released its debut album Pehli Nazar: First Look,[3] and in 2015 released its sophomore album Naya Zamana / Welcome to the New Age,[4] following the group's growing popularity across the city and the University. In late 2014, the group released their first music video ever, for their arrangement "Radioactive / Jiya Jale / Ae Ajinabi" from Naya Zamana. In December 2016, Dhamakapella released a single, "Don't You Worry Child / Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om"[5] and later released their second music video for the same song. On August 23, 2017, Dhamakapella released their first EP, Riyaaz. As revealed on their Facebook page, Riyaaz consists of all three songs from their 2016-2017 award-winning competition set.[6] On November 17, 2018, Dhamakapella released their second competition set EP entitled Afsana: Our Story. It consists of the four songs from their 2017-2018 competition set.[7]
Competitions and awards
Dhamakapella performs across the United States and at various universities, spanning cities from Boston to Los Angeles.[8] Since beginning to compete in 2011, Dhamakapella has placed at twenty-two national a cappella competitions both in the ICCA circuit and the ASA circuit, winning additional accolades along the way:
| Year | Competition | Location | Placing | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Anahat | University of California, Berkeley | 2nd[9] | N/A |
| 2013 | Phillyfest Phillharmonic | Philadelphia, PA | 2nd[10] | N/A |
| Gathe Raho | University of Iowa | 1st[11] |
| |
| 2015 | Sangeet Saagar | North Carolina State University | 2nd | None |
| Gathe Raho | University of Iowa | 1st[12] |
| |
| 2016 | Sangeet Saagar | North Carolina State University | 1st[13] | None |
| 2017 | Sangeet Saagar | North Carolina State University | 2nd[14] | None |
| Yaadein | Boston University | 1st[15] |
| |
| Gathe Raho | University of Iowa | 2nd[17] |
| |
| All-American Awaaz | New York City, NY | 3rd |
| |
| Jeena | University of Texas at Austin | 1st[18] |
| |
| 2018 | Yaadein | Boston University | 1st |
|
| All-American Awaaz | Chicago, IL | 2nd[19] |
| |
| 2019 | Sahana | University of California, Los Angeles | None |
|
| ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal #4 | Granville High School, OH | 2nd[20] |
| |
| Gathe Raho | University of Iowa | 3rd | None | |
| All-American Awaaz | Washington, D.C. | None |
| |
| 2020 | ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal #1 | Case Western Reserve University | 3rd[22] | None |
| 2022 | Steel City Sapna | University of Pittsburgh | 1st |
|
| ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal #1 | Case Western Reserve University | 1st[23] |
| |
| ICCA Midwest Semifinal | Washington University in St. Louis | 2nd[24] |
| |
| Gathe Raho | University of Iowa, Virtual | 2nd |
| |
| All-American Awaaz | San Antonio, TX | 1st | None | |
| 2023 | Steel City Sapna | University of Pittsburgh | 1st |
|
| Gathe Raho | University of Iowa | 1st |
| |
| ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal #4 | Case Western Reserve University | 2nd[25] |
| |
| All-American Awaaz | Atlanta, GA | 1st |
| |
| 2024 | Spartan Sitara | Michigan State University | 1st |
|
| Davis Dhwani | University of California, Davis | 1st |
| |
| ICCA Midwest Quarterfinal #5 | Case Western Reserve University | 1st[26] |
| |
| ICCA Midwest Semifinal | William Henry Harrison High School, OH | 3rd |
| |
| All-American Awaaz | Chicago, IL | 1st | None |
Other competitions that Dhamakapella has partaken in include SingStrong A Cappella Festival 2012, and Wooster VoiceFest 2013.[27][28]
Artistry
All of Dhamakapella's arrangements, performed and recorded, have been written by members or alumni of the group.[29] The arrangements aim to be cohesive and create a new story arc based upon the songs that are fused together. As a South Asian fusion group, the group derives its influences from Indian classical, contemporary Bollywood, pop, dubstep, and electronic genres.
