CHENNAI: The ‘riddim’ and grooves of Afro beats and dancehall — a music genre and dance style respectively, have slowly started getting attention from dance aficionados in Chennai, thanks to Maryann Ranjini Vincent, a graphic designer-cum-dancer who started the crew, Afrontal, along with a few other dancehall enthusiasts in the city.
The Afro-Caribbean crew, which got their first break in 2016, after sharing stage with the Reggae Rajahs, have been on a high ever since, and City Express chats with Maryann about her love for the style and more ahead of a workshop hosted by Academy of Modern Danse.
A natural dancer, Maryann says that she was a ‘shy kid’ and never showcased her love for dance to the outside world — not even her parents! “I used to play loud music and dance in my room but never showed my steps to anyone. I was even shy to dance in front of my parents!” she recalls. But after years of watching dance-videos, training herself, and attending workshops, Maryann began taking part in programmes and culturals conducted in her school and college.
So, how did Afrobeats and dancehall happen to her? “I was introduced to an old dance hall track when I was in school…I thought it was upbeat. So, when I went on YouTube, I realised that there was an entire culture behind the genre…it wasn’t just music, but dance played a predominant part too!” she shares.
Realising that there was major dance-scene going behind the genre, Maryann decided to take it across the country.
“Afro-beats and dancehall styles are not very technical, but style-oriented and gives the body a different vibe. The body begins to move in a way it hasn’t experienced before and when people try it for the first time, they get confused. But it’s normal!” she laughs.
The home-videos of rehearsals and quick-dance clips that she shared regularly spread like wildfire and other enthusiasts started taking notice. “All the videos were shot on a smartphone, which we shared for fun and people began noticing them. In 2016, we performed in Major lazer and that pushed us further,” she shares.
Today, Afrontal is the only ‘Afro-Caribbean’ crew from India that specialises in both Afro beats and dancehall. “There are people who specialise in the individual styles…but we have a mix of both and I am extremely proud of this!” she beams.
With this dance movement growing in India, what’s the scene in Chennai when compared to other cities? “In Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai, it’s gaining more momentum. But Chennai is catching up. People between 18 and 30 sign up for classes and workshops and have shown interest in learning the style and that’s a positive sign,” she opines.
What about children, we ask, and Maryann says they haven’t yet been exposed to it because of a misconception that these dance styles are associated with drugs and sex. She clarifies, “The dance form initially originated because people wanted to relieve themselves from violence and slavery. We wanted to portray the happy side of the dance…and what’s more intriguing is how some specific foundation steps originated,” she explains.
Most steps have drawn inspiration from daily activities — from harvesting corn to throwing clothes on a line…the steps have a touch of such movements. “The dance moves have several variations and there is no set rule. You can improvise and groove. It’s positive, happy and is like our Kutthu— a style that’s deep rooted in our culture, but this is their version of Kutthu!” she opines.
With dreams of touring India and taking the style all over the country, Maryann adds that she wants to visit the place where the forms originated. “Dancehall is predominantly from Jamaica and Afrobeats from Nigeria and Kenya. It’s every dancer’s dream to visit the place where the dance style they love originated. I too have that dream and we are working towards that!” she adds.
The dance workshop will take place today at Russian Centre of Science and Culture,
Alwarpet at 4:30pm.
For details, call: 9840554358