The 2nd Quarter Finals has whizzed past and man, are the expectations going through the roof or what.

First off, we want to give Megastar a shmaal shout out. We saw the intro video to Dhool 08 and how they had edited in the 1st Quarter Finals teams dances into it. It’s something small, but yet deserves to be brought to light. Tiny details like this that makes the show more appealing. The very fact that they bothered to go through the trouble to do that makes our little souls happy. And not to mention, boost's the dancers’ spirits. Great going on your part!


Dhool 08 2nd Quarter Finals: The verdict was almost a clear cut one this time around.

Our heartfelt congratulations to the 2 groups that got in. At least this week’s judgment was just as expected.

Agni Reloaded

For some weird reason, we kind of suspected that these boys were gonna dance for Navraz for the quarter finals. Let’s face it, that is one of their better dances compared to so many others. So when we saw them at first glance (the 'please-vote-for-us' speech) we were kind of shocked to see them in the same get up as in Danz Arena. That was until they started dancing and we went... OOOHHHH.

The (in)famous Navraz dance.

With a few modifications here and there, they managed to pull off the whole routine with their new crew (plus plus the original Agni). AGAIN, what can we say? First off, their song has always been of good appeal to their dance. The song alone has the ability to make our hairs stand, including the sound effects that AR adds in.

Costumes, Make Up & EXPRESSIONS were a killer. They nailed all 3 departments! Everything was flawless except for their coordination, at certain times. Maybe it’s the new crew? Not accustomed to the Navraz routine or something? We don't know, but whatever it is, Agni Reloaded deserved to be in and they are! Excellent job, AR! (Spicy Man!) Haha, jokeu boys, jokeu.

Kali Dancers

Kali Dancers have taken a very different approach in this years Dhool compared to the previous.

But the shocker: We found that a few aspects of their dance ware awfully similar to Agni Reloaded in Danz Arena 08. The make up, male head gear and EXACT same song remix from AR's previous performance. Just that they added the Manthira Vaasal bit in the begginning.

Too much of a co incidence? We seriously do not know. What is YOUR scoop on this?

Even though AR Dhooled it, we feel that Kali dominates altogether because of their coordination. But other then that, Agni Reloaded and Kali Dancers are on the same ranking. The freaky thing was that everything was TOO similar to each other. Keeping all this aside, Kali Dancers were of same level compared to AR. The dance was full of impact and energy. Formations and expressions were brilliant. They were TOO good. Kali has always been damn good in their muga baavenei, but seriously, yesterday’s performance takes the cake. We knew you would make it! Well done.

On the fence

We realise that for every week, there will be 2 distinct dancers and of course, 1 group who is 'on the fence'. Basically, that means this 1 group is on a 50/50 card and they MIGHT get to go in if they get major help in their SMS Voting’s. And this week that group is none other then:

P.F.D Workshop (formely known as rebirth)

When we first saw these boys (and their botak heads) we were mightily impressed with their costumes. Even though their costume colours reminded us SLIGHLTY of the Killabeez costume in Bandmaster, that didn’t make theirs any less appealing. And the shaven heads, hats off for that effort. We really liked the fact that you guys stuck crystals on your heads. Nice. Use of stage space was very nicely executed and various formations are commendable. Thumbs up for that.

However, the whole dance was kind of mediocre. Energy level was SOMEWHERE there, but not exactly there just yet. Like we say, Fusion requires Dhaam Dhoom steps and that wasn’t THAT evident (even though we saw the effort). It was either that, or the dance was not executed out right, in the sense of maybe there was a lack of stamina OR moving too much in the formations threw you off course. And like what Lavanya said, expressions were running off here and there. What happened mottai boys?

But fret not! There is still a wildcard round. We wish you all the luck in getting in!

Special Shout Out

SOVIETS

We had to put their name up for 1 reason. Their effort in TRYING to do something different.

ESPANIOL DANCE.

We seriously applaud their tremendous effort in wanting to display something unique and of course, their costumes as well. Though the song choice went with the whole theme, we felt that justice did not prevail for the dance itself.

Why do we say this?

Every continental dance has a unique way of movement. Be it Samba, Salsa, Jazz, they all have their own individual specialty. Even though we saw effort in the choreography, it was executed very poorly because the boys bodies are obviously not accustomed to the flamboyant and sleek movements required in a Spanish dance. Even though their (partial) choreography was based on their theme, execution made it look really bad, simply for the fact that their bodies could not carry off the steps. Could have been a lack of practice OR a lack of awareness. We hope these boys take what we say into consideration and give us something out of the ordinary for their wildcard round!

Highlight:

What is this? Borderz 1:59 are in?! What happened to S.W.A.T?! From news gathered it seems that S.W.A.T backed our for some unsaid reason and in their place, Borderz got another chance to fight for the crown in Dhool 08. Actually, we are wondering. On what basis did Borderz get in? (Not that we are upset that they got in or anything. They were one of the groups we were hoping to see this year, but they didn't make it through to the Quarters due to some technical issues during the auditions) As in, there were 10 groups that were rejected in the Auditions. Borderz were 1 of them. Were they the best of the 10, or is this ANOTHER publicity stunt to make the rating of the show soar? Any comments?

And the official Dhool blog seemed to have removed S.W.A.T's name quietly and re edited it with Borderz. Mmmm... Enna nadakuthu ingae?

Under currents under currents under currents.

Now, on a lighter scale, the next 5 teams up for Dhool 08's 3rd Quarter Finals are:

Killabeez

Aerocratz

De'Varanaaz

Borderz 1:59

Apsara Asia

In our opinion, the coming week is the TOUGHEST of all 4 weeks thats going to go by. Seriously, the judges are going to have a hell of a time. Lets hope they don't get caught in another argument like how they did during the 1st Quarter Finals. The groups must be working their tails off, considering what a close fight it is going be. Break a leg everyone! Till the next post!

*Groups, try sending in your group photo's. We would love to put them up for you. Like we said, we deserve the regognition anyways. Email them pictures to dhaamdhoomdance@gmail.com . Thanks!