'Bharat Ki Shaan...' - a unique reality show from DD

Doordarshan Sunday announced the launch of a new reality show 'Bharat Ki Shaan - Rum Jhum', which will see a competition between Indian classical and Western dancers.

Going on air Monday, the show will come on the first two days of a week and it has been conceptualized and created by Gajendra Singh, the man behind hit TV shows like 'Antakshari The Great Challenge' and 'Amul Star Voice of India I and II'.

"We are very happy to produce 'Bharat Ki Shaan - Rum Jhum'. With the show we wanted to expand Bharat ki Shaan in the form of dance," V.K. Jain ADG (Publicity) Doordarshan, said in a statement.

"The concept of doing Indian versus non-Indian dance was conceptualized by our respected Director General Tripurari Sharan. It was his idea to get the traditional and contemporary Indian dance versus other forms of non-Indian dance to bring out the cultural values from different parts of the world," Jain added.

The show has been developed by renowned classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, who will be seen for the first time on Indian television as the Guru Shrestha, the supreme judge.

"It is a strategy for me to bridge the schism between the popular and pure arts. I hope the show doesn't only let the country discover new talents, but also discover dance in its diversity, richness and beauty," Mansingh said.

Sandip Soparkar, whose forte is Ballroom dance, and Kathak dancer Sandeep Mahavir will judge the show.