September 10 at St Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra, Mumbai, Sandip Soparrkar and roughly 270 of his students showcased just how far Latin and Ballroom dance have come in India.
"It's the first time we've done a student dance day," said Sandip, who in between performances took time out for interviews. "I'm very proud to have been a part of this."
And while no one would confuse them with professionals, for there were missteps and out-of-synch movements aplenty, there's no denying the hearty energy and enthusiasm.
There was Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Jive, Waltz, Salsa and Merengue, oftentimes blended together in a delightful fusion that was difficult to label but great fun to experience!
Perhaps most noteworthy was the broad range of Sandip's students.
They were male and female, advanced, intermediate and beginner. They were short and tall, plump and slim. They were celebs. They were housewives. They were young kids. They were from Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad. In short, they represented a true cross-section of India.
The only common thread, actually, was an obvious love for dance.
Text: Matthew Schneeberger | Video: Uday Kuckian
Also see: Indian Salsa extravaganza!
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