Malayalee Association for Community Services BC (MACS BC), in partnership with Mazhathulli, presents Whistle Podu – a competition celebrating Indian cinematic dance – at the Bell Performing Arts Centre on July 26. For Anisha Paul, presenter for MACS BC, the dance competition highlights the organization’s commitment to celebrating India’s multiculturalism.

“You can enjoy the different cultures, meet new people, create more networks,” Paul says of the event. “It will be based on Indian cinematic dance with different styles and various languages across India.”

Cinematic dance styles

MACS BC was founded in 2024 under the theme of “always together,” uniting the local Kerala population. Paul adds that their work also bridges South and North Indian communities in the spirit of togetherness. For her, there is pleasure in witnessing this unity – one that will be on display at Whistle Podu.

“We want to showcase our talents, our culture and bring all the communities together so we can know each other’s cultures and values and respect them,” Paul adds. “And at the same time, enjoy them.”

According to Paul, the term “whistle podu” invokes feelings of happiness and entertainment; it is used in reference to people coming together. An event highlighting India’s multiculturalism, Whistle Podu is a dance competition featuring 10 to 12 groups. Each group will perform their own choreographed routines of five to eight minutes – all within the genre of Indian cinematic dance.

“When you come down to the west side of India, you have Bollywood dance,” Paul explains, adding that Mollywood and Tollywood dances are found in Southern India. “All these cinematic dances are merged together and presented at this event.”

Paul adds that some competitors are local, while others are coming from other parts of Canada. Each group consists of four to seven members with mixed genders; participants have to be older than thirteen. The teams were selected from well-established dance studios around B.C. and beyond the province.

“The music should be based on Indian cinematic music with different languages across India,” Paul shares, adding the music cannot contain offensive language nor religious affiliations. “[The groups] have selected their own costumes, their accessories and [props].”

Building community

Along with technical execution and synchronization, the routines will be judged for their choreography, originality and creativity. Paul adds that “entertainment value” and “overall energy and impact of the performance,” including how the stage is used, will also be considered.

Judges will be brought from outside B.C., ensuring a fair and unbiased process. The first-place finishers will win $3,000. Prize money of $2,000 and $1,000 will be awarded to the second and third place finishers, respectively.

“[Indian] cinematic dance has to be made more popular,” Paul shares. “Many people know about western dances, hip hop dances and other freestyle dances, but the Indian cinematic dance has yet to come out.”

Created to highlight India’s multiculturalism, Whistle Podu is just one of MACS BC’s many initiatives working towards the same goal. The organization started as a small gathering of 10 families with South Indian heritage; it has since grown to more than 1,000 members.

To support its growing membership, MACS BC provides settlement services such as airport pickups and moving support. They also host a variety of webinars on adapting to life in Canada, including those that help newcomers write resumes and learn about their legal rights.

“This year we are having a Mega Onam celebration at the end of August,” Paul shares, speaking of Kerala’s major harvest festival. “We also have certain sport events for men, like the cricket team.”

MACS BC is currently working on developing its sports programming for women. Paul adds that the organization has also provided free necessities, including groceries and clothing for their members – a sign of the organization’s commitment to community.

“Once a month or twice a month, a few members of the community come down in a park, and we socialize, we get together, we have food together,” she adds.

For more information, see www.surrey.ca/news-events/events/whistle-podu-dance-competition-2025