Learning the dance.
Image: Supplied
Prepare for an electrifying evening as South Africa challenges for a Guinness World Record in Pretoria on Saturday.
On a mission to showcase Desi culture, Fire Water Earth Productions will host Desi Raves at the Heartfelt Arena.
The event aims to gather 5,000 participants to perform a synchronised bhangra dance for five minutes and 10 seconds.
The current world record is held by Punjab, India, where 4,411 dancers participated in a similar attempt.
"Now, with South Africa boasting the largest Indian population outside India, we decided to host this event and incorporate a fusion element making it Desi style. Our idea is to showcase South Africa on the international arena," said Aradhana Authar, the director and CEO of Fire Water Earth Productions.
Authar said the planning commenced after the Hindu Cultural Festival of SA last September, and finally securing Guinness World Record took almost two months.
She said Guinness shared a list of rules with them to ensure they met the criteria. They had to pre-approve the dance moves, music, and various dressing styles (desi wear). Authar then shared a video of the simple dance on social media for those interested in learning it beforehand.
"There will be practice session at the venue beforehand to teach those who have not learnt the steps. A coordinator will be allocated for every 100 dancers to guide them. There is a variance that is allowed by the Guinness World Record team to account for any shortcomings, but we must aim for 95% synchronicity. At this stage, we must push for 5,000. If we don’t, we won’t be able to challenge the last world record."
Officials will monitor the attempt.
She said that once the attempt was over, a fusion bhangra, featuring 14 DJs, would start. Ashay Sewlal, from Big Brother Mzansi fame, along with other personalities, are scheduled to attend.
Following the Guinness attempt, the Desi Raves will follow.
Kishore Ramharakh, the chairperson of Fire Water Earth Productions, said the company's ethos was diversity via creative ingenuity.
"This company was created for our children and the children of South Africa to learn and respect the different South African cultures. So from a dream to action and then making it desi style fusion on the global platform, this takes my dream to new heights."
There is a general access fee and a VIP fee. Those interested in being part of Desi Raves must be at the venue by 4pm. Tickets are available at Howler.