The Hindu (Thiruvananthapuram)
Vacation special
her twinkle toes and went on to become a part of Dancing Battalion, a city-based dance troupe. Gayathri, assistant accounts ocer at the Accountant General’s Oce, is also learning Kathak.
The three women are part of a growing number of people in the city who are stepping it up by signing up for dance classes teaching dierent styles ranging from classical dance to cinematic style and Zumba, Kizomba and belly dance.
Shaju S Kumar, lead instructor at Dancing Battalion, Kuravankonam, says the trend has encouraged many men and women to get rid of their inhibitions and take to the dance oor.
“Until about two decades ago, the city was quite conservative about women participating in dance performances. There were many raised eyebrows when women began performing cinematic dance,” he says.
No longer. Social media is lled with reels and videos of women dancing and winning applause.
Right from a folk art form like Thiruvathirakali to Zumba and Mohiniyattam, there are women condently owning the stage.
Gurus like Girija Chandran of Regatta were among the rst in the
Parental supervision
₹300. city to welcome and encourage women who wanted to dance. A batch of mothers Girija taught wowed the audience with their charming Mohiniyattam recital.
Late bloomers moving centre stage is no longer a novelty. For some, dance is a fun way to keep t while for others it is a way to make friends and rekindle old aspirations.
Kizomba and salsa instructor Karthik Rana believes that just moving to music releases serotonin and endorphins, mood changers that lift the spirits. He insists that anyone of any age or gender, can dance, even those who feel that they have two left feet. Karthik says his workshops help would-be-dancers banish their fears about the dance oor and loosen up.
In addition to learning an art, many dancers feel it is a wonderful tness routine that helps them shed ab and keep the joints moving. Bollywood dance instructor Devaki Mohanlal at B Boiz, Ulloor, believes that her students, whose ages range between eight and 50, come for myriad reasons.
“The younger ones come to learn dance routines to perform in schools and colleges. Many seniors enjoy the moves as they feel it is more interesting than pumping iron,” says Devika.
There is no ageism on the dance oor and there are several health benets when you learn a new skill, says Dr. Kala. “Research shows that there is a marked improvement in mental well-being and social skills, which are benecial to the body, mind and soul,” adds Dr. Kala.
BHAVANA R NAIR
₹4,000.
“Is a screw tightened by turning it to the right or left? Children won’t know unless they are given the opportunity to learn. We grew up in villages, we did it all ourselves. This is a time to revive such a practice,” Thomas adds.
Cooking class involves homework where students are encouraged to help out in the kitchen and post photos of what they prepared.
Carpentry class covers the basics and a short stool is made in three hours under Thomas’ guidance. A certied expert takes the session on electricals, to be done under parental supervision.
“The extended learning process is taken forward by the children,” notes Sreekumar, a maths teacher. A part of Rangaprabhath children’s theatre group he teaches soft skills and creative dramatics at Educool.
With Sreekumar deciding that the terrace of his house was the best place, Thomas, his daughters and Sruthy’s husband, Akhil Joseph, who co-ordinates activities, set to work immediately.
Starting June, he and Thomas will introduce workshops for parents and senior citizens apart from holiday and after-school sessions for children, providing support for science projects and experiments.