:: Culture Plus

Dance is in itself a global village

Sandip Soparrkar

Dance, it is said, is a universal language — one that can be understood by all. Dance knows no boundaries and has no gender or colour preferences. Much like coffee drinker and smokers bond, or party-goers spend hours chatting over a drink, dance lovers and enthusiasts come together and share special moments as well and for that to happen, all it takes is a beat.

I realised this during my interactions with several international artistes when they came to India and I had the good fortune of and teaching them a few dance moves. When I look back at my first dance class at 6 am with Shakira or the midnight class with Kenny G or even a media glare sessions with the Queen of Pop Madonna, the thing that I found common is how fascinated they are with India and its rich culture.

I remember Beyonce telling me that she considered India to be very orthodox and laidback but was surprised to know from her friend Shakira that her concert was well-appreciated and people were huge fans of international artistes. She recalled that never had she imagined that she would ever get a Latin and Ballroom dance teacher in the country that is more famous for its other classical dance forms. Beyonce that her visit to India changed her perception of the country and she took with her the beautiful mix of modern and traditional that India is known to be.

Madonna is known to be a fan of India and it was very evident during my interaction with her. Her then husband Guy Ritchie and children visited small cities and temples in Rajasthan, got excited over the cuisines and clothes and even made a dash to the slums of Mumbai. So much is the love for India and Indians they there were talks about Madonna adopting an Indian baby. Madonna using Heena on her hands for her music video or Beyonce buying a Rocky S sari are all exemplary of their love for this rich country. In spite of a stomach problem Kenny G still could not resist the Indian spicy food and offered hot spicy rasam to me after a trying dance session post midnight.

When these international stars think of India want comes first on their mind? This question always lingered in my mind. Madonna cleared that doubt for me and the answered "Bollywood". So wheather it is Amitabh Bachachan, Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan or even Mallika Sherawat — they all are known to them. And what is most attractive about Bollywood is the song and dance routines that the films are famous for. Shakira once said to me that song and dance in Indian cinema is "magical"

India is a place where new, fresh, creative and imaginative talent lives and is picked up for international work. I feel privileged that I am one of those lucky few. While I was called to choreograph an upcoming Broadway musical Bruce Lee: Journey to the West I was told that India is an untapped virgin market and this is one country people should look forward to.

Dance has got me closer to the world outside India and dance is what took me ahead too and got me the international recognition.