Kizomba and social dancing have Thiruvananthapuram on its toes
The Hindu
Kizomba and social dancing have Thiruvananthapuram on its toes
As the world recovers from the pandemic-induced social distancing norms there seems to be a trend to celebrate every moment. One of the manifestations of this is evident in different kinds of Afro-Latin social dances that are becoming popular in Kerala. From Cubano Salsa to Dominican Bachata, social dancing involves partnering with someone — your romantic interest, a friend or a stranger — and losing yourselves to the groove.
On the dance floor
BigFoot Dance Arena in Kuravankonam, has surfaced as a hub for social dancing in Thiruvananthapuram. Having held many workshops for Latin dances, the studio is currently conducting regular classes for African forms. Founded by Kevin Poulose in 2018, it began with creating a platform for Western street style dancing in Thiruvananthapuram but has since diversified to include a variety of styles from across the world.
“There’s been a surge in demand for Afro-Latin dances across Kerala. Inquiries about those, especially Afro, and the number of social dance workshops being conducted have increased in the past few years,” says Kevin.
The reason for the demand? Social media. “Of late, African beats and choreography have become increasingly popular; and there is an influx of content being made on it. People across India are exposed to diverse dance forms through these platforms and there is a booming professional dance community in Kerala,” he explains.
Dance knows no bounds
Kizomba is the new kid on the block. Of Angolan origin, Kizomba, which literally translates to ‘party’, traces its history to the formative years of the civil war there, connecting the community during a period of fear and insecurity. Being a genre of music and dance inspired by other regional forms, it incorporates the ‘lead-and-follow style’ with slow romantic rhythms.
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