Street Smart

This association couldn’t have come at a better time as Germany is celebrating 2011 as the year of India. As part of this,Akim Walta,the owner of Stutzpunkt,will conduct workshops and training programmes in Dharavi. Walta,who started B-boying in 1983 and organised the Breakdance World Championships in the ‘90s,understands the struggle the young B-boyers are going through. “Through the programme,we will get international artists over to share their knowledge and help build the hip-hop culture in India. I’m friends with Mumbai-based B-boying groups such as Roc Fresh,Slumdogs and Underground Kombat Crew. I have seen their B-boying skills. For sure,it is just the beginning,” says Walta.

Dharavi’s B-boying enthusiasts are thrilled over this new development. “Most of these B-boyers can’t afford to walk into a nightclub to show off their moves. Despite these setbacks,the B-boying trend is on the rise,” says Sudeip Nair,the owner of Sound Curry,who was instrumental in getting Walta and his crew to India.

Walta will bring a crew of four B-boyers from Stuttgart to India to train the Dharavi dancers,who will also participate in the Hip Hop Festival organised in Mumbai on November 19 and 20. “My aim is to use my experience and skills to develop a hip-hop centre for Tiny Drops,similar to our Hip Hop Stützpunkt in Berlin,” says Walta.

PRIYANKA PEREIRA