The ‘Bollywood High School Competition’ held at the Logan Campbell Centre on May 26, 2012 appears to have raised controversy on a number of issues.
Although this newspaper has had a few concerns raised in the past, we had refrained from publishing them since we firmly believe that (a) the decision of the judging panel is always final and binding on all participants, organisers and others and no correspondence should be entertained in this connection (b) we should not offer our comments since we were not invited to this Competition and (c) public view varies on every event organised anywhere and (d) most of the correspondents remained anonymous and therefore did not give us the benefit of verification.
We continue to assert those views but this year, the competition has had more than its usual share of opinions. We are therefore obliged to carry the following report containing highly edited version of the complaints received and the response of Desi International Showbiz Limited, which organises the annual event.
None of the views expressed here is that of Indian Newslink.
We remain neutral, merely providing a platform for voicing public opinion.
Among the commonalities in the complaints were late start of the programme and the judging process. For reasons of space, many these have not been repeated in the opinions of individuals.
Some of the names have been either suppressed or changed in deference to the wishes of the concerned persons.
Rules breached
Mani Raina, a professional choreographer (and a dance teacher from New Delhi) was among the early complainants, saying that the two shows that he attended (2011 and 2102) started late despite punctuality promised by the organisers in their radio promotions.
“In my professional opinion, this is a rigged and biased competition. Glenfield College and Kelston Girl’s College won the ‘Best Costume’ category respectively in 2011 and 2012 but the costumes they wore breached the criteria specified.
Mr Raina raised the following questions:
“While even a layman would disqualify them, how did the judges declare them winners?
“If Salsa is not Bollywood dancing, so is Cheerleading. How did Glenfield College win the first prize last year and the Frist Runner-Up title this year?
“I have never witnessed Critics Award and Frist Runner-Up Prize going to the same contestant. Is that possible?”
“How can the organisers have a contestant (Glenfield College) do the opening guest performance?
Ritu Tiwari, a former Macleans College student said that a number of concerns had been raised in the past about the competition.
“These included lack of appropriate information to students and teachers, unprofessional behaviour of the organisers, unfair results and favouritism. For two years in a row, the organisers mucked up our performance CD. We girls had decided not to participate in this Competition,” she said.
Ms Tiwari also alleged, “The organisers promise to give donations to schools but they would either vary the amount between the institutions are do not pay at all. Many teachers and students are given a ‘run around’ every year,” she said.
Josh Prakash alleged that not all judges viewed all the performances.
“Many were seen roaming outside the performance hall. One of them said that his (13-year-old) sister was filling out the scoring sheet. I do not think Indian culture allows the kind of clothes worn by the winner of the ‘Best Costume’ category. It is not fair for the organisers to show favouritism and then blame the judges for the outcome.
I would urge parents not to allow their children to participate in such events, which are unprofessional and unjust. My daughter will not participate in any contest organised by these people,” he said.
Missed aspects
Expressing similar concerns of Prakash, Benifer Irani said that the Competition should be fair, professional and beneficial to all concerned.
“The High School Dance Competition should be ‘of the students,’ ‘by the students’ and ‘for the students.’ They are the people who take the contest seriously and spend time and effort, with the support of parents and teachers,” she said.
Prakash (not her name) said that (1) the Papatoetoe High School deserved the first prize (2) Pakuranga College deserved to win the Frist Runner-Up but admitted it was hard to prove without evidence.
“The organisers had announced that the ‘Best Costume’ category would be judged on creativity, individuality, choreography, effort and effectiveness and respectfulness. The institutions that won the prizes did not deserve. Let the public be the judge,” she said.
According to Soni (who preferred to remain only on first name basis), the management and results of the competition were disappointing.
“We went to the venue by 630 pm to grab good seats. But the event did not start until 815 pm. Papatoetoe High School won the first Prize, which was well deserved but the students of Glenfield College did not do Bollywood dancing but a cheerleading routine on English & Bollywood music, yet received 1st runner-up, I strongly feel Pakuranga College was worthy of that award,” she said.
“The management and Judges were not prepared with the Critics Award and the host, Deepa Sumer requested judges to decide on the stage and declare the winner, who was again Glenfield College. I believe that this was unprofessional and unethical,” she said.
Organisers’ response
Deepa Sumer, who lives in Melbourne but was in Auckland for conducting the competition sent us a lengthy response but the following is a redacted version:
The Bollywood High School Dance Competition is conducted every year to provide an opportunity for all ethnic groups to understand each other, respect each other’s religion, culture and business towards a ‘United New Zealand.’
We have a panel of six judges, which includes an assistant (in case a judge needs to take a quick refresher break). All of them are selected carefully based on their qualifications and experiences towards judging the sections of this dance competition. We ensure that none of the judges is associated with any of the performing schools in any way that could result in biased decisions made. We follow this criteria strictly as well as all judgments are made based on the information sent to all schools in terms of what areas they will be judged on and are strictly followed with a 70% private judging and 30% public judging.
Desi International Showbiz, hosted by the Sumer Family, does not at any point make any decisions or alter results towards the winning schools. This is strictly followed with trust delivered to all schools according to the judging criteria.
The music tracks are thoroughly checked prior to the competition, if there is any problems with the track we correspond back to the school and have them fixed as best as possible. Everything is all digitally stored and played back from a computer.
Muck ups could have been a part in the track of bad quality for which we are not responsible.
We introduced a new scheme this year, which was announced at the beginning that every winning school will get an opportunity to perform at the opening ceremony.
Critics Award was announced on stage with a wait of pending decision made with all the judges as this depends strictly on the highest points given by the judges to a specific school. However, they do not make the winning title.
Donations to schools is conditional upon fulfilling certain conditions, which are explained in our Contact. Qualifying schools receive funding through their principals. There is no variation in the amount between institutions.
Unfortunately, every such competition will have several schools returning home unhappy, without any prize.
We do understand, since all participating schools and students work hard, in appreciation of which we give out money to every school. This comes out of the own funds of Desi International Showbiz Limited.
Objections have been raised for the ‘Best Costume Prize’ awarded to Glenfield College (above left)) in 2011 and Kelston Girls College’ (above right) in 2012, alleging that these breached the rules of the Competition.
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