Most of us wouldn’t have had the ultimate tanda experience but we hear it’s pure bliss; something like a connection with the universe. Well, we don’t know because we’re not tango dancers, for it’s only they who can boast of this ‘meditative’ dance sequence that involves dancing to three or four songs in a well-balanced manner, set to both slow and fast music. But, like they say, there’s always a start. Learn the tango and do the tanda.
Assisting you as you take the first few steps on that groovy journey is dancer Kiran Sawhney who runs New Delhi Tango School in the city. She’s started a new workshop, wherein people can familiarise themselves with this dance form. “The focus is going to be walking, connection, musicality and embrace. Steps are not as important as a grasp over basic understanding of the moves is. After these classes, a person will be able to participate in milongas (tango socials),” says Sawhney.
Promoting tango in India, where partner dances are not as popular, she is trying to make it more acceptable. “Yet, having experienced the bliss in the dance, very similar to meditation, yoga and zen, I want others to experience it too,” she says, adding, “Having learnt classical Indian dance forms as part of the guru-shishya parampara (teacher and disciple tradition), I want to continue teaching tango in the same way,” she says.
Just about everybody can learn the tango, even if you have two left feet. Sometimes, people who start off being average dancers, actually turn out to be one of the best in the group, according to Sawhney. Even though tango is a partner dance, it’s not mandatory to come with a partner. In class, you’ll make friends and have a partner to dance with. “The good thing with tango is that it’s a pedestrian dance. If you can walk, you can dance too,” she says. All you need is the right attitude, comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes.
Good to know
Date August 2, 9, 15, 16, 22, 29, September 5, 13, 19
Time 1.30 pm to 3 pm
Venue E-193, Greater Kailash II
Fee Rs 4,000