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Rendezvous with rhythm
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It was music and dance all the way as youngsters in the city got together for a cultural extravaganza recently. The show was organised by Chennai-based Swingers.
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The psychedelic lights, the bright costumes (specially the figure-hugging leotards), pulsating music and a medley of ballet, jazz and hip-hop steps... the stage was perfect for shaking a leg or two.
And that's what the Swingers had in mind, when they decided to display their skills at a recent show, which was titled "Inspiration".
What made the show interesting was that it was choreographed and performed by the students themselves.
It was the coming together of the graceful ballet with the foot-tapping hip-hop at the show that had the audience at the Music Academy tapping their feet.
The piece de resistance was the performance by the tiny tots (five to 10 year olds). They looked absolutely adorable in their smart and colourful costumes as they shook (literally!) their bodies (some with utmost concentration writ large on their sweet faces!) to numbers such as "Upside Down" and" "Sha-la la la la" (both choreographed by Barath). Of course, each one had his or her own rhythm pattern, but that did not really make a difference. It was really a delight to watch them!
But when it came to the seniors, the same was not applicable. Yes, they did put in their best, but there was scope for improvement.
While some of them move with natural grace and rhythm, others need a lot more training and practice. For one, the youngsters have to learn to enjoy what they are doing (dance is said to be a liberating experience!).
For another, in a show like this, synchrony plays a very important part. When kids fall out of step it does not stand out, but when the adults do it, it is glaring.
But to be fair to them, they are just students who are still perfecting the art. The choreographic skills of the students too were showcased, best sampled in such numbers as " Fame", the vigorous "Lady Marmalade" (choreographed by Irene), slow and moody "Dark Rhapsody" and "Moulin Rouge".
At Swingers, the dance studio established by B. Murali, one can get a grip of the international dance styles, that have invaded our homes through various TV channels.
The studio, affiliated to the Broadway Dance Centre, New York, has the well-known dancer Prassanna as its artistic director and role model.
The school today trains more than 1,000 students at the Kilpauk and T. Nagar venues.
Now, if you want to shake a leg or two, you know where to go!
SAVITHA GAUTAM
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