Our own Dirty Dancers!

CHENNAI: He is a whirlwind on the dance floor, with his trademark black round hat, fancy foot work and effervescent smile. She, on the other hand, is not only the epitome of grace, but also one of the strongest female dancers the country can boast of and always the centre of attention when on stage. Arun Srinivasan and Minoti Ramachandra, two city-based Salsa dancers, are gearing up to participate in the World Salsa Championship in Hong Kong later this month. Having finished as runners-up in their first dance championship together, the All-India Salsa Championship last year, which was also a qualifying buffer to the World Championships, the two have been dedicating over five hours, three days a week, to work on their routine. “Both of us teach for the same dance school, Lourd Vijay’s Dance Studio. After Arun joined us last year, I moved to teach at the Bangalore branch,” says Minoti. “So, he travels to Bangalore for three days each week so we can practice.”  Their two-minute routine is a combination of both their strengths. “Minoti’s technique is very strong and I have good speed,” says Arun. Their high-energy and fast-paced routine, which will not compromise on technique, is what will set them apart from the other competitors at the championship, Arun admits.  Because Salsa is such a sensuous and intimate dance, the two have been paying attention to their chemistry on stage. “Chemistry is definitely important,” states Minoti. “You definitely can’t hate your partner and perform well.” The understanding between them is so well-established that even though Salsa, as a dance form, requires the female dancer to follow the lead of the male dancer, this couple works as a team. “It’s partnership and like it is anywhere else, it is fifty-fifty,” says Minoti. And who is Arun to complain? With Minoti’s prior experience in the international Salsa arena (She finished runner-up in the Asian Open Salsa Championship and competed in the professional division at the Asia Pacific Salsa Championship, 2009), Arun feels that he is more of a student to her than a partner. “I am just entering the competition arena and I feel that dancing with her is a learning experience for me,” Arun says. Both of them do feel that India has a long way to go in terms of Western dance and are still only on their way to making a mark on the international Salsa map. But ask them what they are hoping to bring back from the championship and there is no thinking twice. “We would like to bring back the trophy!”