With a total of 81 performers, more than 1,000 audience members, 10 acts and four emcees, the UW's fifth annual South Asian performance showcase, Desi Dhamaka, was a success of color, music and dance Saturday night.

The talent show was hosted by the Indian Student Association, the Pakistani Student Association, the South Asian Student Association and Sigma Beta Rho fraternity, as a means to present the multi-talented and vibrant South Asian student community.

"This year might have been the best one," performer Anji Mantripragada said. "There was a lot of variety, which is interesting and fun to watch."

Mantripragada performed this year in a traditional South Indian "Bharatanatyam" dance, known for its delicate intricacies. Eye and facial movements, as well as foot and arm work, enhance the dance, which tells a story of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu religion.

"One girl can represent four different gods or goddesses with just a look in her face," Mantripragada said.

Although this was Mantripragada's first year performing this dance for Desi Dhamaka, she and her co-performers have been training for this kind of dance for the past 12 years.

"This year was more special for me," Mantripragada said. "I did Bollywood dances my last two years, and those are so fun because, you know, I do enjoy shaking my butt, but being able to perform a traditional dance was just more special to me. People weren't expecting it."

Another performer, junior Ashwini Pai, danced a mix of Bollywood and hip-hop, a change from her more traditional dance last year.

"I wish you were here last year," she said.

Pai thought that Panjabi acts dominated the show.

"I thought there could have been even more variety," she said.

Pai enjoyed the fashion show, a new addition that replaced the skits of the years before. This segment highlighted Indian clothing style throughout the decades.

The four emcees hosted contests and mini-skits interspersed between the performances.

Senior Carmel Laurino has been attending Desi Dhamaka, which is Hindi for "South Asian Explosion," with her roommate since her freshman year, and feels that the traditional dances are more special to watch.

"There is always that fusion of traditional versus modern hip-hop. ... It's interesting trying to see them try to mix traditional dances with top, corny hits," she said. "I missed the skits and some of the more traditional dances from last year."

Reach reporter Arla Shephard at news@thedaily.washington.edu.