FIA Dance Pe Chance Celebrates 42nd Edition in Trenton

FIA Dance Pe Chance marked its 42nd edition on February 7, 2026, at the Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial in Trenton, showcasing 870 performers from 18 dance academies and drawing more than 2,200 attendees. The event, hosted by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA NY NJ CT NE), honored India’s 77th Republic Day and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

The competition featured 31 performances across Minor, Junior, Senior, and Adult categories, highlighting Indian classical, folk, Bollywood, and contemporary dance styles. The scale and diversity of performances reinforced FIA Dance Pe Chance as one of the leading Indian American dance competitions in the United States.

FIA Dance Pe Chance was founded to provide young performers with a platform to develop discipline, teamwork, and pride in heritage while competing in a structured environment. Over four decades, the event has evolved into a respected competition that combines high standards with community engagement.

The 42nd edition featured speeches from FIA leaders, including DPC Chair Priti Ray Patel, FIA President Sreekanth Akkapalli, and FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, emphasizing the organization’s continued mission of cultural preservation and community development. A special oath-taking ceremony for the 2026 Executive Committee was administered by the Honorable Consul General of India, Ambassador Binaya S Pradhan, with support from Deputy Consul General of New York Vishal J Harsh.

The judging panel included notable Bollywood celebrity Padmini Kolhapure, choreographer Supriya Doshi, and classical dance exponent Antima Chakraborty. Their expertise ensured that performances were evaluated based on technical skill, creativity, and artistic expression. Each performance was assessed with an emphasis on consistency, precision, and narrative clarity.

The program was hosted by Ms Mamta Narula and Ms Srishti Narula, maintaining professional pacing throughout the evening. Production elements, including LED backdrops, lighting design, and costume coordination, enhanced the performances without overshadowing the dancers.

Sponsors played a critical role in supporting the event, including Bansal Foundation, Diaspora Biweekly, TAK Group, Bombino Express, Times Network, and media partners such as The South Asian Times, New India Abroad, The Indian Panorama, TV9 USA, ITV Gold, Parikh Worldwide Media, and TV Asia. Their contributions ensured production quality met the scale and ambition of the competition.

Awards were presented for Best Choreography, Thematic Innovation, and Outstanding Spirit. Over 100 volunteers supported the event, assisting with logistics, coordination, and production management to ensure smooth execution.

FIA Dance Pe Chance maintains relevance in a busy cultural calendar by combining high performance standards with accessibility for young performers. Participants gain experience in competitive environments while learning the value of collaboration, discipline, and cultural expression. The event continues to serve as a unifying platform for the Indian diaspora in the northeastern United States.

Planning is already underway for the 43rd edition in 2027, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement while preserving the competition’s mission. The Federation of Indian Associations is the oldest and largest nonprofit umbrella organizations in the east coast of the USA representing Indian Americans in the region, offering programs in cultural, civic, and community engagement.

FIA Dance Pe Chance continues to set a benchmark for Indian American cultural competitions, providing young performers with a structured platform for artistic growth while engaging families, educators, and the broader community. The 42nd edition highlighted the organization’s dedication to cultural preservation, community engagement, and high-performance standards, reinforcing its role as a longstanding and respected cultural institution.

For more information about FIA programs and upcoming events, visit https://www.fianynjct.org. Media and communications support is available at pr@fianynjct.org