Conditional Expressions

Expressions is one of the important element of dance but is used when required.

Musical Dance Drama-2017….

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Inspiration was an Indian-Movie. You read it right!

Dil To Pagal Hai(1997) Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri-Dixit Nene, and Karishma Kapoor under the direction of Yash Chopra. Though not much into movies, Mrs. Hetal Nagaraj was very selective back then about feeding her eyes when it comes to the magic of Indian Cinema(Bollywood). To sit that long for a movie was a non-sense deal to her back then. But a musical drama as part of the movie itself had her all excited and she watched it finally in 2001 and it never left her mind. She thought maybe she could do likewise in Indian Folk Dances, Bharatnatyam..some day if she would get to do it!

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Testing Waters of Musical Drama in Recital 2017 with Role Play of Guest Artist with Bollywood Beginners. May 2017. Picture Courtesy: Phani Pydimaari, Picture Captions and Edits : The Grace Effects.

The whole idea of musicals in Indian Folk Dances and Bharatnatyam(or any classical dances of India) existed back then too. These had very matured audiences and trained performers back then. There were several musical ballets happening in the city(Ahmedabad, India) with the elements of Nritya and intricate elements of Natya combined very beautifully! Mrs.Hetal Nagaraj had watched several notable works from some of the most well-known theater productions to recorded-live musicals by amateur artists/college students for fund-raising activities on women-upbringing, child-marriages, religion riots in Ahmedabad city areas and so on!

But all these years, as if it took its own time to get into the plan of action. 2017, she came back home with a big YAHOO after a chaotic day of a culture community event organized by Indian Association of North Texas, Dallas-Texas(USA). She finally did it in a public community event(India-Day 2017) in Dallas-Texas(U.S.A) under 5 minutes with props!

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                                                                                                                                        Indian Folk Dance Category and Fusion Category – 2017 Public Performance. Picture Courtesy-The Grace Effects(Added here-Feb 5, 2017)

Not 1, but 2 of those musicals in Indian Folk Dances and Bollywood-Fusion Dances Categories. She took up this challenge when the songs that were ready to go on stage had her scratch the head! And she asked, why not? We had done a mini-version of it in Recital 2016 to test the waters. And so January 21, 2017 was a big day! It was challenging to get all the props all the way to the stage. Thanks to our choreographers Mansi Chauhan and Deepthi Chandrasekaran who made themselves available last moment and it worked out just well. The only challenge was that it was a public event and it was not in their control unlike Recital 2016! However, Choreography and set-up was already planned as most of the students knew their part well enough as it was work of our Recital 2016 : Dance of Gods featuring Adi-Shakti in their own categories. But the Yahoo part was that they managed to cover all the Navarasa (The 9 Moods) as per Natya-Shastra in both the category dances without breaking the rules of any category and yet keeping it creative enough for community fun-performances. Not about perfection but basic requirements were met.

We were able to keep intact the dance categories that our students were trained in(their joined programs). As per our research, it has never happened in Dallas-Fortworth Areas(until 2017 January) and that makes us very first people to do it(Yes!). We have seen dance lessons been taught in the name of Folk, Bharatnatyam and yet ended up showcasing just plain Bollywood Stuff.

Just how she had to believe one more time in all the training that she did in past and all that she had taught to her students. It went well and smoother than she had expected for what was in her control. Fundamentals never run out of fashion and formulas don’t change! It will teach you not only common sense but there is a reason why rules exist in pretty much in any performing arts. If you follow fundamental elements of Indian performing arts(Natya Shashtra in this case) then you will cover pretty much everything with little efforts. Creativity is just an added element to it. 

Dil To Pagal Hai-True, we mean it. Now, you call that a Phrase, Bollywood Movie Name, Indian Folk Dance or Classical Bharatnatyam-none of our business. Don’t come after us for this!

Exclusive Copyrights by Reach Media for Hetal Joshi | Grace & Grooves | Grace Creations | Grace And Grooves 2012-2017.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 

http://www.graceandgrooves.com        Phone : 972 979 2559                  info@graceandgrooves.com

Performances in 2015 and Before

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Indian Folk Dances, Bollywood and Bharatnatyam

Our Founding Member Hetal Nagaraj performs regularly for Bharatnatyam, Folk Dances of India And Bollywood

Past Performances of Grace And Grooves. List of paid and unpaid public events – 2015 and before in no specific order of occurrences and numbered per event/not by number of performances):

  1. Grace And Grooves performs at Plano Library, at a Diwali Event (Organized by Independent Groups). Ms. Mansi Chauhan offered Bollywood Workshop-Age Group 4 to 8 Years.
  2. Grace And Grooves performs at an invited event organized by DFW-Hindu Temple, Irving-Texas featuring Semi-Classical Bharatnatyam-Bollywood Style , Bollywood-Folk, and Bollywood Performances.
  3. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam(Shabdam/Shabhdam), Garba, and Bollywood Dances in a walkathon organized by CRY America Inc in Irving-Texas.

    Folk Dances of India, Bollywood and Bharatnatyam

    Bollywood, Bharatnatyam and Folk Dances of India at CRY America Inc walkathon in Irving-Texas.

  4. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam (Art-work), Bollywood and Fusion at Iskon-Dallas at a sponsored event.
  5. Grace And Grooves performs Lavani, Garba, Ghoomar/Ghummar, and Folk tale lyrical in Dallas-Texas for Dallas Catholic Charities in Dallas-Texas.
  6. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam(as guest artist, Allaripu) in competition where Ms. Hetal Joshi was judge for Non-Classical Category-Dallas, Texas. (2011)
  7. Grace And Grooves performs Garba, Bollywood Dances, and Lavani in May Festival -Fortworth.
  8. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam(Pushpanjali-Guru Vandana), Tollywood Dances, Bollywood Dances, Folk Lyrical in Dallas International Festival, Dallas-Texas.
  9. Grace And Grooves performs Kalbelia, Kshatriya, Tippani and Bollywood Dances in Plano, Texas at an International Festival representing India.
  10. Grace And Grooves showcased art-works (Garba of Smt. Indu Mangrola) and Semi-Classical Kathak in Tarrant County-College, Arlington-Texas.
  11. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam(Thillana), Bollywood Dances, Rajasthani Folk Tale(with Chirmi) event organized by DFW International in Addison, Texas.
  12. Grace And Grooves performs Gidda, Bhangra(Beginners) and Bollywood performances at Ram Mandir-Plano Texas.
  13. Grace And Grooves performs Bollywood Folk, Semi-Classical Kathak, Bollywood Hip Hop, and Bhangra at an event organized by Indian Association of North Texas, Dallas-Texas.
  14. Grace And Grooves performs Teratalli, Garba, Ghoomar/Ghummar, and Chirmi in Fortworth Festival-Forworth.

    Folk Dances of India

    One of our Elite, Trained Gymnasts

  15. Grace And Grooves performs at inaugural function with Bollywood Fusion, Koli, Lavani, KummiAdi, Bihu at a sponsored event in Colleyville, Texas featuring Cultures of India. PAID Performance.
  16. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam(Jatiswaram)in Grapevine-Texas for Diwali event organized by Denton Association.
  17. Grace And Grooves performs Raas/Dandiya, Bollywood-Retro, and Fusion Tap w/Bollywood in association with Dance Workshop at Lewisville Grand Theatre(Lewisville). Students were avid Tap/Jazz dancers trained for more than 2 years at Coppell Dance Center(Coppell) and later at Prestige Dance Center (Lewisville), Texas.
  18. Grace And Grooves performed Bollywood-Lyrical, Lezim, Bollywood Bhangra, and Bollywood HipHop at Chinese Festival in Arlington, Texas.
  19. Grace And Grooves performed KumiAdi, Garbi, and Bollywood Dances, organized by DFW International in Addison-Texas.
  20. Grace And Grooves performed Lavani, Bollywood Dances, Semi-Classical (Bharatnatyam), and Tollywood in International Travel Show-Global Beatz Stage-Dallas, Texas.
  21. Grace And Grooves performed Chirmi, Bollywood, Rumaal Dance, Bharatnatyam(Lyrical Artwork) at World Fest, Addison-Texas.
  22. Grace And Grooves performed Fusion of Tap, Bollywood Hip Hop, Nepali Folk and Rajasthani Folk Tale in Grapevine Texas by Denton Association.
  23. Grace And Grooves performed Folk-Fusion, Bollywood Dances, in Plano-Texas. Students were avid Tap/Jazz dancers trained for more than 2 years at Coppell Dance Center-Coppell and later at Prestige Dance and Performing Arts Centre(Lewisville), Texas.
  24. Grace And Grooves performed Bharatnatyam-Ballet Fusion in DFW Hindu Temple, Irving-Texas. Students were trained in Ballet from Ballet Academy of Texas-Coppell, Texas.
  25. Grace And Grooves performed Fusion at Indian Association of North Texas, – Dallas Texas: Tap, Jazz, Gymnastics, Salsa, Bollywood and Folk. Students were trained or were avid dancers/gymnasts in Tap, Jazz, and Gymnastics, from Ballet Academy of Texas-Coppell, Coppell Dance Center/ Prestige Dance and Performing Arts Centre (Lewisville), and gymnastics studios respectively. Ms. Joshi took required Salsa Personal Training from a Master Choreographer at Arthur Murray Dance Studio (Plano). Please do not copy our artwork without training. It may harm your child.
  26. Grace And Grooves performs Bharatnatyam/Tap Fusion, Bollywood Dances, Kumari (Indian) Semi-Classical in Addison, Texas event organized by DFW International. . Students were avid Tap/Jazz dancers trained for more than 2 years at Coppell Dance Center-Coppell and later at Prestige Dance and Performing Arts Centre(Lewisville), Texas.

    Classical Dances of India-Bharatnatyam, Bollywood, Folk Dances of India

    Detailed workshops and performances at American Mensa by our founding member, Hetal Joshi.

  27. Grace And Grooves (Ms. Hetal Joshi) performs for consecutive 3 days in Culture Cowtown Event (National Gathering) organized by American-Mensa at Fort Worth-Texas, for Classical Dances of India, Folk Dances of India and Nepal, and Bollywood Dances. The performances featured Bharatnatyam (Kalashetra/Pandanallur), Fusion, Semi-Classical, Bollywood and various Folk Dances of India with variations in styles and techniques with time-line. Folk Dances of India discussed were – Garba, Raas-Dandiya, Gidda, Garbi, Bhangra, Lavani, Kshtariya, Lezim, Koli, Dumhal, Tribal Dances of India, Chhau, Sambalpuri Folk, Rumali Dance, Tippani, Matki, Bhavaai, and many more were showcased with variations/types, techniques and costumes. An educational workshop was also given after the performance with LIVE participation from audiences to American-Mensa Members on the all of above with and without costumes/jewelry. Over 30 Mensa members participated in the event of which a few were performing arts major.
  28. Grace And Grooves performs and gives workshop at Uplift Education – Summit International Preparatory, Arlington-Texas featuring Bollywood Dances, Choppai-Bollywood Style.
  29. Grace And Grooves performs at Independence Elementary, Lewisville featuring Tollywood Performances-Semi-Classical Style , Bollywood Dance.
  30. Grace And Grooves performs at Harmony School of Innovation, Carrollton featuring creative fusion styles.

    Bollywood Dances

    Uplift Education-Summit International Preparatory, Arlington-Texas. Workshop and Performances

  31. Grace And Grooves performs at Isaacs Early Childhood School featuring a neo-classical fusion and bollywood dances.
  32. Grace And Grooves performs at Universal Academy, Coppell featuring Bollywood Dances.
  33. Grace And Grooves performs at Castle Hills Elementary, Lewisville featuring various Bollywood Dances such as Medley of creative Modern and Traditional Bollywood Dances and fusion of Ethnic Rajasthani Folk dance styles.

Grace And Grooves holds exclusive rights for all the pictures being posted with permission of organizers for exclusive Grace And Groove use only.

More as we dig in our files…We enjoy performing and doing workshops so that you can enjoy reading/seeing pictures. 

Bollywood Fever…. since 2015!

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Academic Year 2014-2015

Bollywood Dances…. first impressions: Fun, Jazzy, Funky, Crazy, hip hop, Peppy and yes by all means entertainment, entertainment and entertainment. What else can you learn from movie dance routines? Movie, Masti(fun) and Magic(Celebrations) of Indian Cinema is addictive, yes it got us too.

Grace And Grooves is in love with Bollywood Program that we created with curriculam!. HELP! So what do we learn in entertainment dances (Bollywood)?

Bollywood program too has structure.

Let’s try & do some math — Circus skills (optional), fashionable clothing looks good but not required, lot of expressions and just expressions ONLY because limelight of widescreen requires that you just can’t have a blank face in Bollywood—aka face-value—well most of times.

While some songs do have a total blank “watssup” face 😉 totally goes by script and not even by dance steps or words—Aha! But thats in movies.

Stage life varies. UNLIKE FOLK OR BHARATNATYAM!

No Rules to follow in Bollywood (Yahoooo!) & it has rating based on clothing, language, or script used & other factors. Good thing is when you learn Bollywood Dances, there is no rating for clothes or language (Ahem!) but with Grace And Grooves, there is an assurance to learn from a Certified Business with a successful curriculam! Now that’s fun to learn—isn’t it? Our program will help you learn the following:

  • Traditional (decent) movie songs that you/your child can perform at your own community events, marriages, and Mehdi nights, meet-up get together, temples, churches and such other cultural events. Bollywood folk dances (Beware don’t mix w/Pure folk dances of India or even Community/Creative Folks-no where close.).
    • Eg – Some of our graceful choreography includes songs such as Rang De by Tabu(Tabassum Fatima Hashmi), MAYE NI MAYE by Madhuri Dixit(Madhuri Dixit Nene of movie Hum Aapke Hain Kaun), or Nagada Sang of Ram Leela by Deepika Padukone or her famous Pinga or Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan of Jacqueline Fernandez and several other amateur artists or just competitions or community performances.
  • Some Bollywood modern stuff & hip-hop like works to do in social family parties or friends parties.
    • Eg – We have done: Songs of our all time favorite Shahrukh Khan in Chammak Chalo(Ra One), or Kajol’s Mere “Khwabon Maen” of Dilwale Dulahniya Le Jayenge(DDLJ as we know it), or our heart throb Hritik Roshan in Ae Mere Dil Tu Gayeja of Kaho na Pyar Hai, & several other amateur artists or just for competitions or performances.BollywoodProgramContent4

Our Competitive and Recreational Program will do the job of making you dance with all that is required.

How gracefully & upto what level is something that you have to decide. It goes by level from Beginners to Elite Program.

We DO IT ALL.  Videos & Pictures are getting ready…will be posted soon!

Let’s not forget the song-hits by the Kapoors, Bachchans, Karan Johars, Chopras and Bhansalis movies and all the fun-pop album songs by amateur artists. Depending on program you have joined, sometimes our choreography works will match directly to that of song, and our other program where our creativity is limitless often called as Fusion. We offer Fusion programs for Bharatnatyam, Bollywood & Folk too.

Training will take you to the heights of creativity without bluffing around of what you just did!

Pictures posted above are either past or present students of Grace and Grooves & their pictures are shared based on their exclusive photo sharing rights and approved by parents when shared/transferred to Grace And Grooves for the purpose of Grace and Grooves ONLY.
Post Updated : Dec 2, 2022 with changes in company names 🙂

Copyright Reach Media for Grace And Grooves | Grace Creations | 2012-current.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Elite : Expensive Or Quality ?

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2014 Winners. Copyright Images Exclusive to Grace And Grooves | Grace Creations, 25$ Costume on the left of this picture & 100$ Costume(handmade-on the right).          Choreographer : Hetal Joshi Nagaraj. Picture Courtesy : The Grace Effects.

ELITE: Expensive or Quality?

 What makes a DANCE company enjoy “An Elite” status?

Looking at pictures of Grace And Grooves, one might assume the OMG factor is of an expensive costume or is it, that rich families being part of event that company gets impression with the word – Elite?

W…R…O… N…G…! It wasn’t that. Don’t get deceived by the pictures or words!

In 2014, students of Grace And Grooves (Ages 7 & 9years old) won awards against pure Indian Classical Dance by some of the finest teachers in Dallas-Fortworth areas (Indian Dance Competition). The awards were won with pure folk dances of India and participating dance teams were from all over Texas. It wasn’t the first win that Grace And Grooves got it with pure folk in the same competition. 2013 competition wins were still fresh to all who participated again in 2014. They admired pure folk dances of india done by Grace And Grooves amongst the others–one more time because it was something that reminded them of their home. Just the way it is supposed to be! Choreographers addressed the performers of Grace And Grooves as an Elite with respect to choreography. That day, it was an honor for Ms. Joshi when those choreographers gave pat on her back for her 9 year old (with $100-custom handmade costume) stealing the award with a simple pure folk dance of India-Rajasthan-Ghoomar(or Ghummar/Ghumar) & a Lavani (or Laavani)- folk dance of India-Maharashtra by her 7 year old (with a $25 costume) against pure Bharatnatyam & Kuchipudi & other folk dances of india in non-classical dance category. Can’t get that wrong with all that years of knowledge/sweat & yes, constant mentoring. There it was, the company changed their tag line from a Premier Award Winning Folk Dance Company to an Elite Award Winning Folk Dance Company. In 2015, company started offering Bollywood Dance and Fusion Dance in name of Grace Creations for non-classical category of dances and to welcome Indian Movie Dances loved and admired for its peppy beats.

For most Bollywood/Tollywood Dances, Grace Creations costumes range is anywhere from a simple Jeans/legging with a t-shirt of $5-$10 and goes up-to $100 while the Folk Dances of India has costumes with price tag that starts from $25 to $120. Bharatnatyam costumes starts from $30 with shipping & goes up-to $110.

It all depends on how far you want to go with your pocket when it comes to dance. We welcome students to get their own costumes as well.

After all, dance is all about teaching your child look & feel beautiful which often goes with other performing arts factors & BIG yes–plus the COSTUME; if it comes with an affordable price tag.

And that’s how it is supposed to be – Simply Elite or Call it graceful. It’s the same thing. To be straight, no one wants to look beautiful with a hole in pocket or buy a $60 costume that makes your precious child look like a junk!

Pictures posted above are either past or present students of Grace and Grooves & their pictures are shared based on their exclusive photo sharing rights and approved by parents when shared/transferred to Grace And Grooves for the purpose of Grace and Grooves ONLY.  

Copyright Reach Media for Grace And Grooves | Grace Creations | 2012-2017. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

 

Recital 2016 : Dance of Gods featuring Adi-Shakthi

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DanceRecitalFinalFlyer

Just as the dance routines at Grace And Grooves classes begin with salutations to Guru(teachers), our showcase too had to obviously begin with Gods and Guru(s).

Adi-Shakti it was, when the grace met gods in performing arts and a unified power was born.

While we were planning our recital in late 2015 , we came across WE DFW-A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A perfect timing! WE DFW is an entrepreneurship group “for” the women, “by” the women and “of” the women. We really liked the idea to promote local businesses by women. And, it was by contract in 2015 itself that we were donate the proceeds to CRY America Inc. with a specified amount as target given to us(unlike any other org. in past), so we decided to do a theme Adi-Shakti and have WE-DFW as our main non.profit sponsor along with Eknazar.com and Usha’s Unique Boutique. The rest of the proceeds of this event will be used to Cqunce Inc. for well-being of our society and Grace and Grooves Talent Fund that is being used for our existing students.

The event of Adi-Shakthi(Dance of Gods) was organized by Grace And Grooves and was held at Mustang Park Recreation Center, Irving-Texas, with around 40 artists in total that included students of Grace And Grooves, guest artists, professional and special appearance artists from Dallas-Fortworth Areas in the State of Texas, that featured glimpse of India as in Bharatnatyam, Bollywood and Folk Dances!

The Dance of Gods(Adi-Shakthi) was made possible by :

  • Exclusive Media Sponsors – Ek Nazar
  • Featured Sponsorships – Usha’s Unique Boutique : With 35 models trained with full rehearsals under Hetal Joshi M in presence of Ms. Usha(Ms. Usha’s costumes and accessories) Texas All Star Program Launch!
  • Main Non.Profit Sponsor – WE DFW

Other Sponsors : 

  • An ERP International LLC
  • Jewel Blooms
  • Make Up By Sushmita
  • The Grace Effects
  • JazzIt Up Inc
  • Ritu’s Handmade Arts(Rituhandmadearts)

Special Thanks – Event Professionals :

  • Nagaraja(The Grace Effects-Video/Event Setup)
  • Gopalaiah Setty(www.thesettys.com)
  • Phani Pydimarri(Photo Courtesy),
  • Megha Vyas(M.C.)

Guest Solo Artists : 

  • Megna Murali (Bharatnatyam Dancer/Tanjore),
  • Mala Pydimarri (Carnatic Singer)

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Megna Murali & Mala Pydimari, Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

Professional Artists & Special Appearances: 

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Abhishek Maharaja & Aruna Kavatur, Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri , Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

RashmiChetan

Rashmi Chetan, Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri, Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects, Jewelry Sponsored by Jazz-It Up Inc.

Thank you to all our students/parents and friends for being supportive during our very first event with last minute changes. Special thanks to Nidhisha Varshney, Anju Mehta during the event to help with costume and makeup preps for Bharatnatyam & Bollywood Students.

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Bharatnatyam Students Year 1(Age 7+), Adults Elite Team – Pure Bharatnatyam on Fusion Music

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Bollywood Intermediate, Ages 7+

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Bollywood Intermediate, Ages 7+

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Bollywood Competition Elite Team – Ages 9+

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Bollywood Beginners in Bollywood Folk & Bollywood Performances, Ages 4-7

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Bollywood Beginners in Bollywood Folk and Bollywood Performances

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Adults Elite Team :  Pure Bharatnatyam on Fusion Music

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Folk, Bharatnatyam, Bollywood

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

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Bollywood Elite and Intermediate Team, Ages 7+

Photo Courtesy : Phani Pydimarri ,  Photo Edits for Blog : The Grace Effects

Adults Elite Team Jewelry & Adults-Folk Costumes Sponsored by Jazz-It Up Inc. Special Appearance Costumes Sponsored by Usha’s Unique Boutique.

Exclusive Copyrights by Reach Media for Hetal Joshi | Grace & Grooves | Grace Creations | Grace And Grooves 2012-2022.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 

http://www.graceandgrooves.com                 Phone : 972 979 2559                    info@graceandgrooves.com