Balle Balle,Malaysian Style

It’s an experience they are thoroughly enjoying. Most of them are learning classical Indian dances at the Temple of Fine Arts,at its centres in Malaysia and Singapore. “We need to learn the basics of different folk dances and incorporate those in our dance in order to create some unique dance forms,’’ say learners Aswini and Sina Nikolaus.

Folk dances,says programme director Shyam Juneja,portray joy,happiness and festive spirit. “These are a mirror of India’s throbbing socio-cultural life and reflect its timeless traditions,” says Juneja,adding that the workshop will help in an exchange of ideas and innovations in dance movements,and in the process,take the folk culture outside of India.

Taking a tradition forward is Ravindra Shetty of Temple of Fine Arts,who is absorbed in learning the nuances of dance. The school was started by his forefathers in Malaysia decades ago with an aim to promote Indian dance,and Shetty feels that this workshop will help him reconnect with his roots. These folk dances will also be incorporated in the upcoming two-day dance festival at the school.

While Sunita Jain is teaching ghoomer,Balkar Sidhu is reinterpreting bhangra for the foreign guests,as Gurpreet Cheema has them doing dandiya. “The workshop will culminate in a mega performance on January 31 at Tagore Theatre,’’ says Juneja.