KOCHI: ‘Salsa Srini’ is how he likes to call himself. And he is going to make Kochi groove, he says. Bangalore- based Salsa Srini is making an entry into Kerala, offering classes in more than a dozen different kinds of Latin and Ballroom dance styles at the Shrishtti Academy for Grooming and Talent Development, Elamkulam.
The dance classes are a new venture of the academy, which aims at encouraging and nurturing budding talents.
However, Srini has a problem with the Salsa obsession in Kochi, despite his name being ‘Salsa’. “Why is everyone after Salsa? It is just one of the several Latin dancing styles.
Why not Cha Cha Cha or Merengue?” Srini feels that those who are interested in a particular dance form should first learn something about its history, where it originated etc.
“You should take classes only from a qualified teacher.” Based in Bangalore, Srini started on his dance journey at the age of 19. He has come a long way since, from peforming in over 1000 stages in India and abroad to setting up his own dance studios in Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa (Body Language Unlimited Dance School).
He also got to work with top choreographers like Farah Khan, Saroj Khan, Ganesh Acharya and Terrence Louis.
Srini is now in Kochi because his “students in Goa, who are mostly foreigners, recommended Kochi to him” and because he “always likes to explore new places.” But there is another purpose to Srini’s visit, to introduce the concept of Zumba Fitness here which, he says, is making waves in the West. Zumba Fitness is a latin inspired fitness programme, which aims at fitness through dance, a concept introduced in Colombia in the 1990s.
Zumba is different from dance aerobics in that it involves typical Latin dance steps and is done to the accompaniment of Reggaeton music. “With Zumba, you can have fun while working out. There will be exercises specific to a person’s needs, depending on where they want to lose weight,” says Srini who is a certified Zumba trainer as well as Reebok certified fitness trainer. Classes will be held from 7 am onwards, with Zumba in the mornings and the kid’s sessions and the rest of the dance classes in the evenings. Besides Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue, Jive, Rock & Roll, Tango, Waltz, Swing and Hip Hop will be taught.
The kids’ classes include Jazz, Afro Ballet, Jazz Ballet, Power Dance, Contemporary Dance among others. Modelling classes are also offered for kids.
“A misconception is that you need to have a partner to do Salsa. You can do it solo. Also, anyone can join Zumba,” he clarifies, “whether a novice, an expert, overweight or underweight.”
ashaprakash@expressbuzz.com