Manipal: “Blitzkrieg”, the dance group which has pitchforked Manipal University to the global dance platform was feted at a function hosted by a Manipal Institute of Technology at the Library Auditorium on Thursday for their performance at the Hip Hop International India, Mumbai, where they finished first and were selected to represent India at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2016 to be held from August 8 to 13 at Las Vegas.

The occasion was also used to encourage and wish good luck to the 22-member group, which leaves for the world competition on August 4. To bring back laurels from the high standard of dancing in which over 50 countries are expected to participate will be tough. But the team leader, John Daniel, a final year Mechatronics student of MIT is confident and expects to do well. Mrs Vasanthi Pai, wife of Chancellor, Dr Ramdas M Pai, Pro Chancellor, Dr H.S.Ballal, Director MIT, Dr G.K Prabhu and others were present to encourage and support the team members who also performed for the audience.

“We have been winning competitions across the country over the last two-three years and we are confident of good performance in the US as well,” he said. John joined the dance group, started in 2007, four years ago and last year he took over as its leader.
Coincidentally, it was John’s birthday today and the group, along with the officials celebrated by cutting a cake.

The team is focused on western dance, hip hop and break dance etc. Two students are from School of Communications, Manipal, one student from Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, one from School of Management and the rest from MIT. The dance forms that Blitzkrieg does are: Krumping, locking, waacking and voguing. What’s creditable about this group is that there is no choreographer. John himself does about 80 per cent of the choreography and Suhash Amin another MIT student also chips in with his bit.

Competitions at Las Vegas will be in Solos, adult division, Varsity and Mega Crew. The Manipal University group will take part in Mega Crew in which all 22 members will be on the stage at the same time. The group has been practicing hard without even going home for the semester break. They have been putting in almost eight hours of practice every day for close to two months.