EVERYBODY GET ON THE DANCE FLOOR
IT’S NOT ABOUT PUTTING YOUR RIGHT FOOT IN AND TAKING YOUR RIGHT FOOT OUT ANYMORE. REHEARSED & DISCIPLINED PERFORMANCES ARE ‘2000 AND LATE’; CHAOTIC FLASH MOBS ARE HERE TO STAY. THERAPY, FITNESS OR A STRESS BUSTER – WHAT DOES DANCE MEAN TO YOU?
For some, dance is therapeutic; it helps let go of their inhibitions. For others, it probably is the much-needed breather from their regular 9 to 5 job. Perhaps that’s why the Internet took notice of a moonwalking traffic cop in India, who chose to combine his passion and profession while simultaneously drawing a smile on the faces of commuters. Some resort to dance as a fitness option; ditch the gym and the park on a sunny day. Would you choose the dance floor over a treadmill? Maybe, a dance workout over a gym routine to burn those calories? It’s also a calming activity for some. Indian bride Amisha Bhardwaj bid farewell to cold feet (and left feet) as she prepped for her big day and danced away to Sia’s Cheap Thrills with her bridesmaids, and in doing so, gave way to a viral video.
Being a dancer may not be identified as the most conventional career option in town, but it sure is happening; UAE’s dancers and crews are proof.
Actually, there is no conventional tag for a dancer anymore. If that was the case, trends such as Gangnam Style and Harlem Shake would have never seen the light of the day. In 2013, the Chaavat Boys dance crew was among the top contestants of India’s Dancing Superstar, a dance reality show that was aired on Star Plus. Their idea of dance was different; one that saw them stay put while executing a lyrical and humorous rendition of the song — sans the lifts, flips and splits.
A dancer doesn’t need a stage or live audience anymore. With the concept of flash mobs, the conventional stage has disappeared. The stage is wherever the people are — a mall, railway station, the cinema, and the airport are top spots. YouTube tutorials assume the role of your dance instructor, too. Dance happens anywhere, and holds different meanings for different people. What about you?