World’s oldest ballroom dancer Tao Porchon-Lynch dies at 101

■ Born in 1918 in Puducherry, India, to a French father and Indian mother who died giving birth to her, Tao was raised by her uncle. It was from him that she learned two of life’s important lessons — ‘never ask anyone to understand you, try and understand them,’ and ‘never look down upon anyone’. Tao once scaled Machu Picchu in stilettos.

The weekend gone by was the saddest for ballroom dancers all over the world, as their inspiration Tao Porchon-Lynch passed away peacefully and without any pain, in White Plains USA. She was 101 years and five months young and was dancing in her three-inch high heels a week before she went dancing her way to the next planet.

Tao Porchon-Lynch was recognised by the World Book of Records, UK, as the “world’s oldest ballroom dancer” in 2018 and the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s oldest yoga teacher” in 2012. In 2019, the Government of India conferred on her the Padmashree, the fourth highest civilian honour in India. In 2016, Porchon-Lynch was recognised on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day at the United Nations.

Known for her indefatigable energy and spirit, the diminutive ballroom dancer continued to dance and compete along with other fellow students at the Fred Astaire Studio in New York well into the age of 101. Tao lived by her personal mantra, “There’s nothing that you cannot do.”

Tao took up ballroom dancing at age of 87 and won more than 750 first-place awards as a competitive dancer. At age 96, she appeared with her 26-year-old dance partner, Vard Margaryan, on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, receiving a standing ovation from the show’s judges.

Ever the style icon, Tao once scaled Machu Picchu in stilettos. She adored wearing black leather pants with a fur coat draped over. Her nails and lips were always painted in bright colours. At age 100, she was a brand ambassador for Athleta, the line of women's fitness clothes, and also graced the cover of its catalog.

The longtime Westchester resident worked earlier in her life as a Hollywood actress. Tao PorchonLynch rubbed shoulders with Hollywood legends Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor and was good friends with international dance icons Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and Bollywood stars Dilip Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Saira Banu and Dev Anand.

I met Tao when she was 92 years young and had known her since then. These 10 years were the best years of my life because I met a lady who inspired me like no other. I was fortunate that whenever she visited India, she stayed with me in my house and blessed me with her love and positive energy. I remember once asking her if she needed rest or was jetlagged as she had just arrived from a long flight, to which she said, “In my head I am still in my twenties and I have no intentions of ever growing old. So let’s get to our dance rehearsals.”

I recollect being present for Tao’s 101st birthday, she had then said, “To me, 101 is natural. It doesn't scare me. I wake with the sun and think of all my many friends and that makes me ready to know that you never put anything off for tomorrow because tomorrow never comes.”

Hearing of her death many people who admired Tao came forward with their messages. “I was thinking of Tao this afternoon when I received the news of her death. I had a spiritual connect with her. She is one young lady who lived an incredibly inspirational life and she went away beautifully too. I am sure she is now waltzing with the angels,” said former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen.

Dancer, actress and chef Maria Goretti said, “It was such a wonderful experience meeting Tao. She was full of positivity and always had a smile on her face. She exudes peace, calm and had her inner child wonderfully intact.”

Odissi dance exponent and wellknown television and theatre actress Jayati Bhatia said, “I was fortunate to host Tao's World Book of Records certification ceremony as the world's oldest ballroom dancer.

As I was going through last minute detailing of the script for the evening, I heard music playing and looked up to watch this effervescent smiling lady dancing with aplomb and my mouth fell open as I double checked her introduction. She was 99 years young then. I was in deep worship as the short film on her life was played. Her struggles, her contribution to humankind during the World War and her passion for dance, each and every moment came alive. I realised although her eyes had that naughty twinkle, she had that calm on her face of a life truly cherished. Tao, at 102, you danced your way to the other realm and you left behind a void in our lives.”

Ace designer Rohit Verma, who designed a few of Tao's dance dresses, said, “When I met Tao I was mesmerised by her beauty. She was an inspirational person, truly a dancing queen, who gave millions a reason to get on the high heels and fly. That is what Tao meant to me.”

Actress and dancer Sharbani Mukherji said, “It is heartbreaking to know that Tao is not there with us. I was fortunate that I met Tao at a few occasions. I met her for the India launch of her book, The Dancing Light. Age was just a number for Tao. She taught me never to look back in life, to always look ahead. Her aura was supremely divine, and we have for sure lost a jewel, a treasure.”

Dancer Amith Dolawaat said, “‘You look exactly like my dance partner and you dance so well’ are Tao’s words that will stay with me forever along with memories of her warmth, the twinkle in her eye and her childlike smile. I will remember her forever. She was a legend. I feel blessed to have met and danced with her.”

Tao Porchon-Lynch was one lady whose life experiences spanned continents and historical events. At age 12, she joined her uncle, Vital Porchon, who built railroad lines in Asia and Africa, to march alongside Mahatama Gandhi in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930. She later took part in the 1963 march in Washington with Martin Luther King Jr.

Born in 1918 in Puducherry, India, to a French father and Indian mother who died giving birth to her, Porchon-Lynch was raised by her uncle. It was from him that she learned two of life’s important lessons — ”never ask anyone to understand you, try and understand them,” and “never look down upon anyone”. And that is what Tao lived by all her life. In 1939, she set sail for France from India to live with her aunt, and would eventually participate in the French Resistance.

After the war, she worked as a model in France and England before moving to the United States in 1949. Soon she was working as a Hollywood actress under contract with MetroGoldwyn-Mayer Studios, with credits including the films, Show Boat and The Last Time I Saw Paris, and TV shows such as The Bob Hope Show and I Married Joan.

In the 1950s she trained under some of the biggest names in yoga such as B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devi and taught yoga to actors in Hollywood, including Clark Gable. The Yoga Ratan Award was conferred upon her by the Government of India in 2018.

Forever a student, Porchon-Lynch continued to learn from her ballroom dance teacher and partner Anton Bilozorov, who is more than 70 years her junior. She also participated in four ballroom competitions every year. She was rehearsing and preparing herself to participate in celebrity dance reality show, Dancing with the Stars.

Tao often said, “I’m going to dance my way to the next planet.” She never said goodbye because she felt goodbye was final. She always said, I will see you again. Today with this article all I can say is that my darling Tao lived a wonderful life, inspired millions with her grace, beauty, elegance and her powerful lust for life. She is not dead for she will always keep dancing in our hearts.

Sandip Soparrkar holds a doctorate in world mythology folklore from Pacifica University USA, an honorary doctorate in performing arts from the National American University. He is a World Book Record holder, a well-known ballroom dancer and a Bollywood choreographer who has been honoured with three National Excellence awards, one National Achievement Award and the Dadasaheb Phalke award by the Government of India. He can be contacted at sandipsoparrkar06@gmail.com.