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In step The dance practice provides an hour of absolute fun

Gone are the days when housewives were content playing roles of perfect host, dutiful wife, mother and daughter-in-law throughout their lives. The woman of today is constantly searching for newer outlets of self-expression. The latest rage in Mangalore is freestyle dancing.

“It is the in-thing among women,” says Gauri, a dance teacher in Mangalore.

She adds, “I had started a ladies’ batch for married women on popular demand. I have 12 regular students in the group.. Many of them are parents of the students I teach. They have found dance a medium to build rapport with their growing children.”

Gauri says, “The dance practice provides an hour of absolute fun. The classes are held three days a week.”

She smiles, “There is no gossip or discussion of family issues. I want to create a positive atmosphere through this dance form by maintaining a clean and fun ambience so that more women embrace it.” Most of the women taking dance classes are in their late 30s and 40s.Vijaya Keshav Rao, a 46 year-old says, “I was always fond of dancing. I chose freestyle over classical dance as that requires years of learning to perfect. Moreover, it gives an opportunity to be less conscious and enjoy ourselves.”

For 43-year old Sujata Chandrakant life begins at 40 and she believes in enjoying life to the fullest.

Preethi Harsha, who was coaxed by her husband to join the classes says, “I love dancing and found this more interesting than aerobics.”

Gauri narrates her experience of teaching these enthusiastic ladies. She says with a broad smile, “Women need to be handled with kid gloves. Teaching them requires a great deal of patience and perseverance.

She recalls an incident when a woman in her late 50s had approached her to learn a single dance to perform at a private function. There are numerous such examples including one where a women wanted to learn a dance form to perform at her in-laws’ 50th wedding anniversary.

Talking about the changes that dancing has brought in their personality, Sarita says that it has been a great stress buster. “I am happy I can dance with my children when they insist. A positive and cheerful attitude is the outcome of these classes,” she adds.

Sangeeta says that it is an enjoyable exercise that allows women to stay fit both mentally and physically. Another student, Ankita Kamath feels independent and claims that the dances help in providing physical and mental exercise.

“It is a great social activity. People have made friends here for life,” Gauri concludes.

SUSHMA BARVATHAYA

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