Giving Kathak a spin

WHILE most young people are indulging in hip hop dance, 15 year old Viashna Soma, pictured, was ecstatic to promote the Indian dance form Kathak on the television show SA’s Got Talent.

The Grade 10 pupil at Wingen Heights Secondary received two out of three yeses from SA’s Got Talent judges DJ Fresh and Shado Twala.

Viashna made her television debut on SABC 3 over the weekend wearing a traditional Indian outfit.

Speaking to POST this week, she said she had started Kathak dancing at age 3.

She will graduate early next year and urged other young people to promote the Indian culture and heritage.

“Sadly the Indian culture is dying with modern age and western culture is taking its place. More people are opting for hip hop and while there is nothing wrong with it, the youth should also focus on the Indian dance form.”

Viashna attended the Pravika Kathak Kendra dance school in Queensburgh and even though her dance teacher, Nandini Bookhan, relocated to Johannesburg two years ago, they continue to practice using Skype.

“It is a one-on-one lesson every week, which can be intense in comparison to being in a class. I dance while my teacher assesses me. I have no time to slack off,” joked Viashna.

“It was actually my teacher’s idea for me to participate in SA’s Got Talent. She was really proud,” she said.

Viashna auditioned for the show at the Olive Convention Centre in March.

She will go into the deliberation round – where 18 semi-finalists will be chosen – next month.

“I am currently juggling studying for my third term exams and practising Kathak.”

Viashna hopes to own her own dance school one day. She also enjoys swimming and reading.