Take the lead

With his newly launched branch in the city, Namgayal8217;s Salsa India Productions is ready to drive Puneites the salsa way. Kaytee, who has shared an intimate relationship with the dance form for the last eight years, was groomed under the tutelage of many internationally acclaimed artistes feels, 8220;The kind of salsa that is taught in Pune is good in a local context. But if we talk of international standards, then the training does not meet the parameters. It was this reason that made Pune the next stop for Salsa India.8221;

Trained in Cuban, New York and Los Angeles styles, Namgayal8217;s passion for salsa and his zeal to promote it in India has seen him conducting many workshops and classes across the country. For Namgayal, who has also tried his hand at other western dance forms, salsa as a dance is very expressive and gives him the freedom of experimentation.

Talking about the increasing popularity of salsa in India, the expert says, 8220;Salsa is a very vibrant and social dance form which does not discriminate among its students on the basis of their age. Also, today it is fast becoming a style statement in India. Moreover the kind of media attention that salsa has been getting of late, adds to its popularity in the country.8221;

Elaborating on his signature style karma salsa, Namgayal says, 8220;In karma salsa, every part of the body is a representation of the instruments being played. It focuses on musicality, body movements and dancing through one8217;s body, mind and soul. As far as selecting the typical nomenclature is concerned, the Salsero reveals, 8220;The word karma is an Indian concept and when people think of karma Salsa, they should think about India.8221;