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So let's jive!

Ballroom dancer Ewa Maria Cherukuru talks to N. KALYANI about the steps and swirls of Rumba, Samba and more

Wearing a bright red lipstick and identical polish on her nails, with her blonde hair done up glamorously, Polish ballroom dancer, Ewa Maria Cherukuru, walks up gracefully, flashing a captivating smile. The one thing she tactfully refrains from divulging is her age. And her dapper looks and exquisite beauty play up to her scheme.

Wife of Murali Krishna Sai Baba Cherukuru, metallurgist and former CEO of an Indian business house, Ewa has lived in Pune ever since she came to India post-marriage, more than 20 years ago. And there, she set up the Cinderella School of Ballroom and Latin American Dances, now into its 17th year. "My studio is like a temple, a church, and my dance, a prayer," she says. Besides, she has been conducting dance workshops in Delhi too.

"Happiness, laughter and dance is what life is all about," avers Ewa, and she has lived up to it. "Having undergone 16 surgeries and as a victim of a terrible car accident, I could have ended up in a wheel chair or with a paralytic stroke but my inner strength and positive attitude have kept me still swirling on the dance floor," she says emphatically.

"I love to enjoy and I am a happy-go-lucky person, but when I am on the floor to teach, I am a tough taskmaster," reveals Ewa, who has had students in the wide age range of 13 to 80 learning at Cinderella. "Dedication, discipline and devotion form the credo of learning dance," she adds.

All of seven

Ewa, who began learning ballroom dancing when she was all of seven at the M.Wiechysty School of Ballroom and Latin American Dances, Krakow, Poland, says she too had her share of problems learning the dances. "So I am considerate towards students who face difficulties in learning. My students are like my children," she says.

"To dance and to teach dance are two different things," states Ewa, who has a Master's degree in ballroom and Latin American dancing from the T. Krupinski School of Ballroom and Latin American Dancing, Krakow, Poland. Thiscertifies her to be a full-fledged teacher of ballroom dances. This school is affiliated to the International School of Ballroom Dancing, London, which standardises ballroom dances for performance around the world.

Rumba, Cha-cha, Samba and Jive are the Latin American dances, and waltz and slow fox the standard dances, which Ewa teaches. "These are the ballroom dances which are standardised across the globe and can be performed in India at a social gathering," explains Ewa, who has choreographed the dance sequence in the Bollywood film Zubaida and the well-received, theatre `dans-ical', "Trip the Light Fantastic".

"In my classes, I, first of all, help the students develop an ear for the music for the particular dance they are learning. I also stress upon looks and attire. One has to dance with grace, style and elegance. The posture is therefore vitally important," says Ewa.

Ewa is vexed that many people now in different parts of India, without being certified instructors, have begun to teach formally.

With several theatre productions, events and charity shows to her credit, Ewa has earned a string of awards, including recognition for outstanding achievement in dance and music by the National Publicity Project of Ladies Circle India.

About her workshops in Delhi, she says, "The response has been good." Her élan and style in dancing make her a dancing queen. Say it to her and she flashes that infectious broad smile once again.

On a swirl

Workshops
On April 20, 21 and 22
Venue Greater Kailash Part 1 Fee
Ranges between Rs.1500 and 2500
Contact Amit Rekhi (9873160659)

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