Six local college students of Modesto Junior College and California State University, Stanislaus merged together to create Tashan, a Bollywood dance group in November 2011.  These six multiethnic students come from an array of educational backgrounds that include communications, biology and liberal studies; but they all share a colloquial interest for Bollywood dance.  Bollywood is a slang term used in the Hindi film industry derived from “Bali” and “Hollywood,” that describes the song and dance sequences in Indian cinema.

Founder of the group Ryan Maharaj was inspired to establish this group ever since he was exposed to Bolllywood for a college research paper. Maharaj choreographs all their material and manages their events and promotion through their Facebook page.  The group not only books weddings and private parties, but has also performed and competed at community events such as the Ill List poetry slams at the State Theatre and  the Warriors with Talent competition at Stan State, where they won first place.

The group’s main goal is to succeed at auditions in June for the Valleys got Talent competition in Modesto and continue on to perform and compete at the Gallo Center.

Tashan will next be performing at Stan State’s multi-cultural night on April 27.