BENGALURU: About 50 Bengalureans will freeze for three minutes demonstrating an act of kindness and then break into a dance in unsion with 100 other cities across the world to propagate the message of goodwill on November 13.
It is the third time that Bengaluru is participating in Dance For Kindness, a global flash mob organised by a New York-based NGO called Life Vest Inside. The idea is to defy boundaries and unite in kindness, as the global participants are to follow a uniform choreograohy on the same song, on the same day, to observe World Kindness Day.
“We are dancing to tell you about how effective kindness can be. The city is multicultural and since the language of dance is understood by all, it beaks a lot of stereotypes,” says Soumya Rose John, group leader of Bengaluru Dance for Kindness 2016. The Dance for Kindness initiative is being undertaken under the banner of city-based NGO - Goodwill Tribe.
The project was started in 2012 and it was brought to Bengaluru by Devina Singh, who was fascinated by the idea when her friend called her to be a part of Dubai Dance for Kindness but, since she could not go, she decided to get it done in the city two years ago.
By the time she wanted to register Bengaluru in the list of this project, the registration had already shut down. After talking to the “amazing” Orly Wahba, founder of Life Vest Inside, she could get the dance organised. Over 100 people showed up at the first event, but Devina never expected the event to be a recurring one.
“The best part of this dance is that it is done by those who don’t know how to dance. I was never a dancer. Forget dancing in public. It makes me feel like I am making a fool of myself,but I will obviously dance for kindness, the world needs it,” says Devina.
“It is so overwhelming to see that there are so many people who feel the same way,” she adds.
The dance is pre-choreographed in New York and a new theme song is composed every year that is circulated among various organisations undertaking the project. The steps are basic so that even an 80-year-old can do it.
This year’s theme song is titled ‘Give some love away’ sung by a 15-year-old from Canada.
The first practice was held on the day of Diwali and quite a few number of people turned up. “I was so scared if people would turn up for rehearsals since the venue booking was done, but I was surprised to see people turning up after their celebrations just to dance for kindness,” said Soumya. Ashwathy Unnikrishnan, 23, is participating for the third time this year.
“Since the time I was introduced to it, I have been addicted to spread the message of kindness. It is more of a fun event than a dance event,” says Unnikrishnan.
Founder of Euphoria Academy, Sapna Machavaram, volunteered to help organise the dance.
The next practice will be held on November 6 at Lahe Lahe. Registration is ongoing and the event will held at Forum Mall, Koramangala, on November 13, 5pm.