Dhamakapella - Knowledge (XXG)

233:. 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. 2087: 256:

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

1057: 1086:

typically receives in the South Asian a cappella realm." Stephen Lanza critiqued the group's energy and intensity, writing, "I very much like many of the decisions that Shaunak Roy makes in the colors of the backgrounds, but finding ways to keep the energy and the emotion moving forward as the songs advance is still a bit of a lacking area in this album." Thomas Dec wrote, "Riyaaz is not a show stopper, but it is in line with the average RARB submission and worth a listen."

248:. 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 135: 27: 1071:

rating out of 5, gave the album a 3, based on various reviews. Jonathan Minkoff quoted that “The unique vocal flips, melismas and haunting scale forms of Indian music are by far the most interesting elements of the group's debut” and “The merger of East and West is a compelling artistic concept and

1078:

was released on February 28, 2015 and received mostly positive reviews. The Recorded A Cappella Review Board gave the album a 3.7, based on various reviews. Critic Dave Bernstein praised the album's sound and production, quoting that "Dhamakapella has taken bold steps forward in its own evolution

1085:

was released on August 23, 2017 and received mostly positive reviews. The Recorded A Cappella Review Board gave the EP a 3.7, based on various reviews. Kimberly Raschka Sailor complimented the EP's arrangements, stating, "Riyaaz is unique and engaging, offering stronger arrangements than RARB

255:

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,

972:

All of Dhamakapella's arrangements, performed and recorded, have been written by members or alumni of the group. 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

299:

and at various universities, spanning cities from Boston to Los Angeles. Since beginning to compete in 2011, Dhamakapella has placed at twenty-two national a cappella competitions, winning additional accolades along the way:

275:. In December 2016, Dhamakapella released a single, "Don't You Worry Child / Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om" and later released their second music video for the same song. On August 23, 2017, Dhamakapella released their first EP, 271:, 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 1072:

one that Dhamakapella is uniquely suited to present.” Writer Catherine Lewis praised the album's arrangements and complexity, stating “When Dhamakapella is on, the group absolutely hits it out of the park.”

1999: 1962: 2060: 260:

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.

1079:

with Naya Zamana / Welcome to the New Age". Writer Leigh Holmes Foster states that the album "Ushers in a new age for the group", and compliments the group's soloists and energy.

2217: 1685: 257: 2024: 2071: 1581: 1262: 1737: 1711: 1659: 1633: 283:

consists of all three songs from their 2016-2017 award-winning competition set. On November 17, 2018, Dhamakapella released their second competition set EP entitled

2207: 2135: 2274: 2150: 2019: 1955: 2116: 1763: 1314: 2145: 2065: 1178: 2264: 2009: 1948: 2050: 2045: 1789: 1159: 1067:

was released on April 14, 2011 and received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. The Recorded A Cappella Review Board, which assigns a

2176: 2004: 2269: 2140: 2111: 1219: 110: 2181: 2055: 2029: 1607: 1555: 1529: 1503: 1477: 1451: 1425: 2212: 2191: 1971: 245: 222: 153: 1328: 964:

Other competitions that Dhamakapella has partaken in include SingStrong A Cappella Festival 2012, and Wooster VoiceFest 2013.

2106: 2014: 1266: 48: 1288: 91: 2171: 2155: 44: 1399: 63: 2130: 70: 1994: 1843: 1068: 37: 2086: 1869: 1767: 77: 134: 2125: 1174: 1194: 59: 1793: 1155: 1355: 1056: 1308: 990: 974: 870:

Outstanding Soloist in a Non-South Asian Song (Harshini Somisetty for "Past Lives x Mitwa")

1182: 1163: 84: 2258: 2186: 2101: 296: 897:

Outstanding Arrangement ("Like I Would x Tere Ho Ke Rahenge" arr. by Juniper Duncan)

1332: 594: 1940: 1883: 1263:"Dhamakapella places in two out-of-state a cappella competitions | the daily" 849:

Outstanding Arrangement ("Ae Dil Hai Mushkil / All For Us" arr. by Juniper Duncan)

807:

Outstanding Arrangement ("Ae Dil Hai Mushkil / All For Us" arr. by Juniper Duncan)

783:

Outstanding Arrangement ("Ae Dil Hai Mushkil / All For Us" arr. by Juniper Duncan)

1292: 900:

Outstanding Visual Performance (Jennifer Huang, Rachel Gopalani, and Harry Ganz)

879:

Outstanding Visual Performance (Jennifer Huang, Rachel Gopalani, and Harry Ganz)

26: 706:

Outstanding Arrangement ("Bhare Naina / Light 'em Up" arr. by Anusha Mudigonda)

1935: 1930: 1925: 1377: 218: 175: 1920: 1815: 982: 978: 249: 226: 157: 810:

Outstanding Solo in a Non-South Asian Song (Harshini Somisetty for "Youth")

1130: 942:

Outstanding Choreography (Jennifer Huang, Rachel Gopalani, and Harry Ganz)

846:

Outstanding Soloist in a South Asian Song (Anusha Mudigonda for "Jiya Re")

1237: 1847: 1816:"About | Dhamakapella - CampusGroups at Case Western Reserve University" 1764:"Event Review: VoiceFest 2013 in Wooster, OH | the a Cappella Blog" 688:

Best Arrangement ("Bhare Naina / Light 'em Up" arr. by Anusha Mudigonda)

2238: 986: 287:. It consists of the four songs from their 2017-2018 competition set. 873:

Outstanding Arrangement ("Past Lives x Mitwa" arr. by Juniper Duncan)

485:

Best Arrangement ("Writing's On The Wall / Duaa" arr. by Shaunak Roy)

548:

Best Arrangement (Entire Set arr. by Ronnell Canada and Shaunak Roy)

1055: 230: 165: 161: 1944: 1195:"Don't You Worry Child / Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om - Dhamakapella" 1105: 20: 1936:

Dhamakapella's First Place Performance at Sangeet Saagar 2016

1870:"Dhamakapella - Naya Zamana / Welcome to the New Age (2015)" 1060:

Dhamakapella after winning 1st Place at Sangeet Saagar 2016

1910: 199: 1931:

Dhamakapella's First Place Performance at Gathe Raho 2015

1926:

Dhamakapella's First Place Performance at Gathe Raho 2013

709:

Outstanding Choreography (Kasey Pukys and Jennifer Huang)

258:

International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA)

1844:"RARB Review of Dhamakapella - Pehli Nazar - First Look" 1612: