University of Maryland EntouRAAS group perform a dance routine during the Indian Students Association’s Raas Rave and Bhangra Blitz. (Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

Rainy skies did not deter an enthusiastic crowd from packing the more than 2,300-seat McFarlin Auditorium for the Raas Rave and Bhangra Blitz event Saturday night.

Twelve teams from universities across the U.S. competed for trophies and prize money. The University of Maryland’s EntouRAAS team won first place in the Raas category, while Michigan State University won first place in the Bhangra category.

Both winners bagged $1,500 each in prize money. Texas A&M won second place in Raas, while the University of Michigan took the second spot in Bhangra.

Both teams won $1,000 each.

The event was hosted by SMU’s Indian Students Association.

Bhangra originates from music and song of the Indian Punjab. Raas is a traditional folk dance featuring men and women dancing in two circles with sticks in their hands.

Each dancer holds two sticks, referred to as “Dandiya.” Opposite sides hit the sticks at the same time, creating a rhythmic musical sound.

One circle moves clockwise and another counter-clockwise, or may form rows. Both of these energetic, fast-paced dances are associated with the time of harvest.

Each team artfully integrated lights in their shows to enhance their performances. The dancers whirled and moved their feet and arms flawlessly to the tune of music.

The teams wore traditional colorful costumes that magnified their fast-paced movements. Music, lights and dances were synchronized to offer flawless presentations that received applause from the packed hall throughout the four-hour presentation.

Presenters Nimesh Patel and Usama Siddique did more than just usher groups to the stage. Their comic appeal kept the crowd laughing throughout the event.

The iPhone was featured prominently in most shows.

“Maybe it is because of Steve Job’s death,” Indian Student Association’s Sidra Anees said after the show. “But we were constantly texting during the show to ensure everything worked efficiently.”

The panel of judges was comprised of leading Asian Raas and Bhangra dance practitioners and administrators in Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Dancer Natasha Dhuldhoya from Texas A&M University was ecstatic about her team’s second place win in the Raas category.

“It feels amazing to finally win a national competition, competing as a young team,” Dhuldhoya said after the event. She said the team practiced two hours daily since the school year started.

“We could never have expected this outcome, but our hard work paid off,” added Sonal Patel, another dancer from Texas A&M.

Amy Faltisko, third year law student at SMU, praised the performers for their creativity.

“They were fantastic and disciplined, considering they are students,” Faltisko said.

ISA member Anees said plans are underway to host a local talent show in March.