My kids’ll never admit, response is pretty cool: America’s ‘Dancing Dad’
From Bollywood numbers Ghungroo (War; 2019) to O Beta Ji (Ludo), nothing is off the table for Ricky Pond aka Dancing Dad. A graphic designer by profession, this Washington resident is internet’s new favourite, after having risen to fame through his impeccable dance moves. What’s special? He shakes a leg with his children, to songs from around the world.
Pond’s association with dance goes way back. “I started when I was eight, and danced all the way through high school and college. I always thought dancing would be a part of my life. I even taught Clogging (a folk dance in US) at a studio for about three years! But soon, family, kids and work took priority, until March 2020, when I made my debut on a mobile app,” he tells us in a candid chat.
In December last year, Pond went viral thanks to a video of him dancing to Ghungroo, as that’s when his not-so-typical dad dancing skills got noticed. And within a short span of time, he’s managed to amass over 80,000 followers on Instagram. “I have four children, three of whom you can see dancing with me. I hope to get my wife to dance with me, too, as she is a great dancer herself,” he shares.
But, do his kids approve of him dancing his heart out for an online audience? “Dancing has helped me bond with my kids,” he says, adding, “We have a lot of fun together, but are that average family that will get on each other’s nerves. They (kids) are not always willing, and reason that their friends follow me... I guess they’re just being teenagers ( laughs)!”
Pond, in fact, began recording videos for a different purpose altogether. “It started out as something for me to use and embarrass the kids, but turned into a stress reliever. My family thought it would just be a phase... And here we are!” he quips.
His desi moves to popular Bollywood and Punjabi numbers have left many a followers grooving, and Pond admits he’s bewildered at the response to his Hindi film numbers. “I don’t understand a word of Hindi, except what people have very kindly translated for me... I have fun with them all, but I enjoy the ones in which my kids dance with me, the most!” he says.
Pond’s trick to embarrass his kids didn’t work, but what about his co-workers? “They are supportive and laugh daily about my crazy dances. My children will never admit, but I think it’s pretty cool! I know it’s a conversation with their friends and they hate that ( laughs),” he signs off.
It started out as something for me to use and embarass the kids!
RICKY POND, Graphic designer