Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Death by Dance




There are different ways to celebrate a win. Jumping up and down is one of them. As is punching the air. Snake dance is equally effective. What used to be a signature move of a drunken uncle during an Indian wedding became a patent of the Bangladesh cricket team. During the recent T-20 tri-series, the boys in green mastered the ‘naagin dance’ by making it a viral social media trend. 





It all began when Nazmul Islam celebrated a wicket by breaking into an impromptu snake dance. His signature move went over the social media boundary. The bite was so infectious that legendary Sunil Gavaskar began swaying after Dinesh Karthik hit the last ball for a winning six. But there was a catch. While the Indian fans found his euphoric sway cute, the Bangladeshi fans called Gavaskar a baboon. Ouch! 



Truth is, cricket and dance moves go back in time. Remember how West Indies celebrated their T-20 win in 2012 by bursting into celebrations with ‘Gangnam style’. If ‘Gangnam style’ can hook cricketers, why not our home grown ‘snake dance’? 
Dance and celebrations go hand in hand. Once snake dance loses its charm, anything can be next. Bhangra anyone? When the occasion calls for pointless abandon, ‘Balle Balle’ rules, right? 

As for me, nothing intimidates me like dancing in public. It doesn’t matter if it’s a marriage ‘sangeet’ or a cocktail party. All too often, weddings are incidental. It is the choreographed ‘sangeet’ that trumps all ceremonies. Everyone and their bua-ji has perfected their moves. Plus there is an intimidating choreographer more flexible than Tiger Shroff. While you want to be a part of impromptu celebrations, it’s the rehearsed performances that intimidate you. Moreover you belong to the Deol family, with Sunny being your uncle and Sunil Shetty your distant cousin. 

The giggling cousins take over the stage and set the bar so high that nothing you shake can match their performance. You dread the moment when someone will drag you on the floor and nudge you to show what you got. The moves, I mean. Finally someone pulls you centrestage with hundreds of expectant eyes looking at you. While everyone is cheering, you feel like a warrior being thrown in a Roman arena with hungry lions. Aware of your dancing skills, your husband and kids hold their breath. Going with the flow, you attempt something as lovely as Tabu in, ‘Ruk Ruk Ruk, Are Baba Ruk’. 
Dance, as the saying goes, like no one’s watching. But you constantly look over the shoulders to check if your loved ones are embarrassed by your booty shake. 

Finally, the agony ends. Or so you think. Someone made a video of your dance and shares it in the family WA group for posterity. With trepidation you click the play button. 
Oh. Shit. 
The only thing you can draw hope from is watching the legendary Gavaskar doing the snake dance. And feel better. 


Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times, NDTV Sport and Cartoon by Satish Acharya

16 comments:

  1. The more you think, the less you’ll feel like dancing. Dancing is just your body’s response to music.

    C’mon Alka. You can do it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is what you masters say. God knows I tried. And I want to. But it doesn't work.😃

      Delete
  2. The choreographed sangeet ceremonies are a good thing taken too far.
    As for dancing,I couldn't shake a leg to save my life.I am waiting for my DIL to come and make me dance like that woman in 'Saat samundar paar'

    ReplyDelete
  3. hehe...I love dancing but just on stage when I'm performing. And I haven't done that for years now. Shadi dancing, I don't think I'm cut out for that :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so much fun if you can do it. Wish I could. Given up after I saw my recent video 🙃

      Delete
  4. Ha ha! I almost have same feeling but I play a smart trick. I move a little and then start cheering others. It just helps me stop and avoid those prying eyes ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fun post indeed. I think the main point about dance is to enjoy it so take to hear the adage - Dance as if nobody's watching.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gavaskar snake dance is legendary and laughed the way you describe the Sunil Shetty and Deols. The energy like no one is dancing makes homosapiens with a left foot like some of our actors awesome to watch. Love this tale, Alka.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I HATEEE dancing. I can't even remember dancing at my own wedding.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can relate to every word here. Deol family is simply hitting the ball out of the park and best is, "the moves, I mean".

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cricket used to be a gentleman's game. But T-20 is to Test matched what Bharatnatyam is to Nagin Dance. I wonder what next we will see —Belly Dance?

    Being the ultimate Pappu who can't dance saala, I can relate to your predicament, especially after being whatsapped. That clip you have appended to your bright post is a gem.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There's is another side to it ...when you want to swing and sway but those that are with you are shy and against it . Hi hi ...in my case I love to dance but get pretty conscious in a crowd ....i bet the ipl cheer girls are going to have the nagin dance as their number 1 move :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Haha I am right now in Pune trying to master dance steps for a dear niece's wedding
    and your blog puts in words what is going on in my mind..

    ReplyDelete