Once upon a time, there was an ISA President, Komal Patel. Just like every other year, he was looking to make this year's ISA show even better than those of years past, and in an effort to do so, he decided that ISA should include acts other than pure dancing. Having seen groups like Penn Masala and Chai Town capture the hearts of the collegiate Indian community, he wondered whether or not Case could at least perform a few a cappella songs at the 2005 ISA Show: Bollywood Nights.
Komal began to ask around, and eventually came to Mayank, a Sophomore on the ISA board who also happened to be in another a cappella group, Case in Point. When the subject was brought up, there was only 5 weeks to go. Yet they believed that such a performance was possible.
Now here Mayank ran into a problem. He didn't actually have that much a cappella experience. So he enlisted the help of two singers far more accomplished than himself. Manoj Nair was a Junior who had been serenading ladies for more than 2 years (still does, last anyone checked), and also a member of Speakeasy. Raksha Soora, a sophomore, had been wowing audiences with the voice of a Diva since her freshman year with Case in Point.
The next week, auditions were held as many hopefuls tried out, with 8 more members joining the growing ISA show "act". Armed with two simple arrangements of Indian and American melodies, the group rehearsed vigorously until they were ready for the show. At the show, the audience stood and cheered to the melodies of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhen, Maria Maria, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and She Will Be Loved.
After the performance, everyone realized that this group didn't have to be just an ISA act. Instead, Dhamakapella was born as a true a cappella group, ready to perform all over campus and eventually, go across the country and show everyone what the Indian community of Case can do.
Phase 1 is complete, as Dhamakapella has performed at almost every major singing event on Case's campus. Phase 2 will begin next semester, when Dhamakapella will travel to competitions and other universities to spread the word. Tune in to find out how the group has been doing!