Quick Facts
Biography
Nakul Dev Mahajan (born September 15, 1975) is an American Bollywood dancer and choreographer best known for his choreography on So You Think You Can Dance. He is the founder and artistic director of NDM Dance Productions and Studios, a Bollywood dance company based in Artesia, CA.
Early life and background
Born in Agra, India, in a Punjabi family, Mahajan and his family immigrated to the United States in the 1960s. Mahajan began formal dance training at age 17, and graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Dance in 2002.
Career
The work of Nakul Dev Mahajan has been influenced by classical indian dances and Western dance styles (hip-hop, Latin and jazz). As a result of his efforts to teach and promote the Bollywood dance style, Mahajan has been called Hollywood’s Favorite Bollywood Choreographer and an Ambassador of Bollywood Dance. Mahajan appeared as a guest star (dancer) in season 3, episode 6 (Diwali) of The Office (TV sitcom), led a Bollywood Dance instructional session prior to the 81st Academy Awards (2009), and choreographed a flash mob style Bollywood scene for an episode of Fuller House (TV series) (2016). Sonia Singh (author) and Mahajan co-authored the script for One Man Bollywood Show, a 2009 stage production performed by Mahajan. In 2011, Mahajan was the recipient of the University of California, Riverside Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
Dance Studios
In 2003, Mahajan founded NDM Bollywood Dance Productions and Studios, the first Bollywood dance school in the U.S.; the school has since served over 3000 students. In 2015, 430 students and 20 members of the school's dance troupe performed Bollywood Travels (the annual student recital) for a total of 2700 audience members. Mahajan serves as a guest instructor in the faculty of the Broadway Dance Center.
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S., 2008-2015)
Nakul Dev Mahajan's choreography introduced the Bollywood Dance style to the stage of So You Think You Can Dance (reality TV show) in Season 4. Katee Shean and Joshua Allen's performance of Mahajan's routine for Season 4 was in YouTube's “Most Viewed” list for one week, and was included in BuzzFeed's 2014 25 Best 'So You Think You Can Dance' Routines of all Time listing. In subsequent seasons of the show, Bollywood performances were included regularly (see summary table, below).
Choreography for So You Think You Can Dance (U.S.)
| Season | Week | Dancers | Style | Song | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | Katee Shean Joshua Allen | Bollywood | "Dhoom Taana" from Om Shanti Om | Safe | |
| 6 | Top 10 | Bollywood | "JBJ" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | |||
| 9 | Katee Shean Joshua Allen | Bollywood | "Dhoom Taana" from Om Shanti Om’’ | Judge's Pick (Nigel Lythgoe) | ||
| 5 | 1 | Caitlin Kinney Jason Glover | Bollywood | "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire | Safe | |
| 6 | Top 5 Female Dancers | Bollywood | "Dholna” from Pyaar Ke Geet | |||
| 9 | Caitlin Kinney Jason Glover | Bollywood | "Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire’’ | Judge's Pick (Christopher Lil' C Toler) | ||
| 6 (2009) | 2 | Mollee Gray Nathan Trasoras | Bollywood | "Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah" from Jodhaa Akbar | Safe | |
| 4 | Guest dancers, Nakul Dev Mahajan and NDM Bollywood Dance Productions | Bollywood | "Desi Girl" from Dostana | N/A | ||
| 7 | Russell Ferguson Ashleigh Di Lello (injured, replaced by Rachel ___) | Bollywood | "Spirit of Rangeela" from Rangeela | Safe | ||
| 8 | Mollee Gray Nathan Trasoras | Bollywood | "Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah" from Jodhaa Akbar | Judge's Pick (Tyce Diorio) | ||
| 7 (2010) | 2 | Kathryn McCormick Jose Ruiz | Bollywood | Marjaani Marjaani Kasama from Billu | Safe | |
| 4 | AdéChiké Torbert Marla ____ (substitution for Alex Wong) | Bollywood | Mourya Re from Don: The Chase Begins Again | Alex Wong injured (withdrew) | ||
| 7 | Billy Bell Robert Roldan | Bollywood | Ganesh from Bombay Dreams | Judge's Pick (Stacey Tookey); Bell Eliminated | ||
| 9 | Kent Boyd Lauren Gottlieb | Bollywood | Om Mangalam from Kambakkht Ishq | |||
| 8 (2011) | 2 | Iveta Lukosiute Nick Young | Bollywood | Baawre from Luck by Chance | Eliminated | |
| 4 | Group dance | Bollywood | Kata Kata from Raavan | |||
| 6 | Clarice Ordaz Robert Roldan | Bollywood | Aila Re Aila from Khatta Meetha | Eliminated | ||
| 9 (2012) | 2 | Witney Carson Chehon Wespi-Tschopp | Bollywood | "Tandav Music" from Aatish Kapadi | Eliminated | |
| 5 | Kathryn McCormick Will Thomas | Bollywood | Ooh La La from The Dirty Picture | Safe | ||
| 10 (2013) | 2 | Malece Miller Jade Zuberi | Bollywood | Radha from Student of the Year | Zuberi withdrew | |
| 6 | Group dance | Bollywood | Pandeyjee Seeti from Dabangg 2 | |||
| 9 | Amy Yakima Alex Wong | Bollywood | Munni Badnaam Hui Darling from Dabangg 2 | |||
| 11 (2014) | 4 | Valerie Rockey Ricky Ubeda | Bollywood | Dilliwaali Girlfriend from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | Safe | |
| 6 | Bridget Whitman Brandon Bryant | Bollywood/Disco | Disco Khisko (remix) from Dil Bole Hadippa! | |||
| 9 | Jessica Richens Zack Everhart, Jr. | Bollywood | Ghaghra from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | |||
| 12 (2015) | 2 | Lily Frias Burim Jusufi Gaby Diaz Edson Juarez | Bollywood | Dhol Baaje from Ek Paheli Leela | Jusufi Eliminated Juarez Bottom 6 | |
| 6 | Jaja Vankova Alex Wong | Bollywood | Naacho Re from Jai Ho (film) soundtrack | Safe |
So You Think You Can Dance (Canada, 2008)
Mahajan choreographed the group dance performance of Nagada, Nagada from Jab We Met in So You Think You Can Dance Canada (season 1).
Superstars of Dance
Mahajan coached team India at the Superstars of Dance on the NBC Network and choreographed six remaining crews at the 2009 ABDCrews (season 4).
Cancer
Diagnosis
A 2012 diagnosis of Stage 2 testicular cancer and subsequent chemotherapy treatment interrupted Mahajan's career.
Check Yourself
In 2014, Mahajan choreographed a section of Paula Abdul's performance in Check Yourself, a breast cancer PSA (public service announcement) production by Avon Products. Abdul, Mahajan, Chucky Klapow, and Renee Ritchie received a 2015 World Choreography Award for this work, in the category Digital Format.
White House Diwali Celebration
Following a tradition started by George W. Bush in 2003, an annual Diwali celebration takes place at the White House. For the 2013 edition of the White House Diwali celebration, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a Bollywood dance workshop that was instructed and choreographed by Mahajan. A photo of Michelle Obama dancing a Bollywood routine alongside Mahajan was cited as one of the top White House photos of 2013.
Miss America 2014 Pageant
Mahajan choreographed the Bollywood-Indian classical dance fusion routine performed by Nina Davuluri (2014 Miss America and the first Miss America of Indian descent) at the Miss America 2014 Talent competition; the routine was set to the song Dhoom Taana, from the film Om Shanti Om. Davuluri's performance of this routine marked the first time a Bollywood dance routine had been performed on the Miss America stage.
Mahajan was named to The American Bazaar's Top 10 Indian American Entertainers of 2013.
Dance India Dance
Mahajan was selected as a judge for the 2015 edition of Dance India Dance North America (filmed in Mumbai).
Dance Moms
For the Season 6, Episode 5 edition of the reality TV show Dance Moms, Mahajan coached the Abby Lee Dance Company Team, when Abby Lee Miller unexpectedly failed to attend practice sessions and competition.
Awards
- 2011 University of California, Riverside Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
- 2015 India Empire Awards: Excellence in Performing Arts
- 2015 World Choreography Award (Category: Digital Format), with Paula Abdul, Chucky Klapow, Renee Ritchee
- "INDIA EMPIRE AWARDS BEVERLY HILLS, LOS ANGELES". India Empire Magazine. 2015. Retrieved 25 Feb 2016.