Illuminati | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mumbai, India |
| Genres | Black light theater |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Website | Official website |
Illuminati is an Indian performing arts company based in Mumbai, India. The company was founded in 2002 and is the only Indian performing arts company specializing in genres like black light theater and Tron dance.[1][2] The group has been awarded with Live Quotient Awards in 2012 and 2013 for Best Innovative Act in India.[3][4] They have also won India’s Got Talent Season 1 Independence Special in 2009.[5] In 2015, Illuminati performed for Remo D'Souza’s movie ABCD 2 and at closing ceremony of Pro Kabaddi League Season 4, aired on Star Sports.[6][7] They have also performed in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa Season 7 with Karan Tacker and with Vivian Dsena in season 8.[8][9] Currently, operating from Mumbai, Illuminati has 16 full time members and they perform across the globe.[10]
History
editIlluminati was founded in 2002, by Kartikeya Ranga, Shrenik Parmar and Anuj Kochar, as a young dance team at Tolani College of Commerce, Mumbai. Intially, the group focused on creating thematic performances for intra-college dance competition. In a short time their performances became popular and in 2003 they were chosen to represent their college at the Malhar festival, an all India inter-college festival of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Kartik, Anuj and Shrenik decided to participate in the performing arts category of Black Light theater. Since then until 2006, they participated every year at Malhar festival and earned a reputation of being one of the best black light team in India in the students community.[11]
Between 2007 and 2008, they focused on choreography assignments. In their choreography assignments, they were joined by Satyen Gawade and together, they won the UV light competitions at various college festivals including Mood Indigo of IIT, Mumbai, Bhawanipur Education Society College, Kolkata, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Thus, gaining recognition for their creative themes and presentation in UV acts.
In 2009, they participated in the reality show India's Got Talent, which aired on Colors TV. While they could not clear the audition round despite earning a Yes and praise from all three judges (Sonali Bendre, Shekhar Kapur and Kirron Kher), their Super Mario act turned out to be globally viral hit within hours of its telecast. The french official France 24 also posted their Super Mario act video as Video of the day on their website. Owing to this success and fans affection, the team was invited again by the India's Got Talent production company Big Synergy to participate in an Independence Day Special episode where Illuminati beat 6 talented competitors and went on to win the special episode.[12]
The company officially incorporated as a partnership firm with Kartik, Shrenik and Anuj as partners in 2010. Presently, Illuminati operates as a partnership firm with Kartik and Shruti Ranga as partners. Shruti Ranga is one of the founder member of Illuminati.
Achievements
edit- Winners of India’s Got Talent Season 1 Independence Special in 2009.[13]
- Winners of Best Innovative Act in India at Live Quotient Awards in 2012 and 2013[14]
- Official recognition from Indian Book of Records for extraordinary showcase of creativity and for being the masters in the field of Blacklight (UV Light) Performances
- Winners of Adhurs, Super, Naadkhula, Mojar Haat Jom Jomaat Weekly Finale aired on ETV
References
edit- ^ After delighting techies, Pragyan draws to a close The Times of India Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ NASSCOM Leadership Forum opened with an energetic performance by Illuminati Forbes Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Winners of Micromax Live Quotient Awards 2013 Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Winners of Live Quotient Awards 2012 Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Illuminati And Their Illusionary Tron Acts Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Illuminati performing in ABCD 2 Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Pro Kabaddi on Star Sports Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Karan Tacker was performing with the dance group Illuminati on stage Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ All About Arts The Hindu Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Laser dance performance by Illuminati from Mumbai Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Kartikeya Ranga : The owner of Illuminati UV Group Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ Illuminati UV Act IGT India's Got Talent Dance Troupe Winners Season 2009 Performance Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ India’s Got Talent: Season 1- Grand Finale Retrieved on 26 August 2016
- ^ UTV STARS to air the ‘Micromax Entertainers Connect Live Entertainment Awards’ Retrieved on 26 August 2016