Imagine learning the steps of a dance routine without music; imagine learning to flip through the air with only the beach sand to break your fall; imagine being part of Fly Bounce, where kids from slums neighbouring the Marina beach learn how to B-boy.
Formed by Ezhil and Thumbli a.k.a Mohan, it is an informal dance troupe that consists solely of the sons of fishermen, stall owners and garbage pickers, who were brought together by the challenge B-boying is.
“We don't want to join anybody's troupe just because they are popular. We want to retain our originality. One day it will be our turn to take centre-stage,” said Thumbli thumping his partner and friend Ezhil on his back.
The two quit the dance troupe they were part of to begin Fly Bounce, one-and-a-half years ago. “We gathered seven children from Ayodhya Nagar and Canal Street in Triplicane and began teaching them this style of street dancing. Today, we have about thirty children — all from the low income group,” said Ezhil, who owns a refreshments stall on the beach.
Watching them practise one dangerous stunt after another can make you catch your breath, and fear grips you before each perfect landing. It is no wonder they have a loyal audience! “I have seen these kids perform the most difficult of stunts and floor work with an ease that can come only from passion for what they are doing,” said G. Ramesh, who comes to the beach every day. “Come to the landing opposite Vivekanandar Illam at around 5.30 in the evening, and you will see that the word is spreading about them,” he added. True enough, the crowds start gathering.
Almost all of them go to school and Ezhil has to space out the practice sessions to accommodate enough study time. “Their parents were always worried that it would distract them from academics. We had to convince the parents, talk to the kids, and ensure they stayed at home during exams,” said Ezhil and Thumbli.
Most have fared pretty well, but there are a few exceptions. “There was a boy, who was disinterested in studies, but was passionate about doing stunts he learnt here. So, his parents asked me to train him well so that he could make a living out of it. Today, he has performed stunts for a few film songs and commercials,” said Ezhil.
Their future lies in opportunities to showcase what they have painstakingly learnt, said Ezhil and Thumbli. So far, the boys have performed in songs from movies such as “Neeyum Naanum”, “Kasikuppam” and “Shabash Sariyana Poti”. They have also appeared in ad films for Jeyachandran Textiles and Zee Tamil's title; have performed in programmes on Raj TV and Polymer TV; and were part of the group dancers in ‘Maanada Mayilada' on Kalaignar TV. They also participated recently in SS Music's show ‘Battle'.
“Apart from these appearances on television and films, we also regularly perform at local events,” said Thumbli and Ezhil. “These local performances, which arouse a lot of interest, help in keeping our group afloat. We charge Rs. 5,000 for local shows — temples and marriages and Rs. 10,000 and more for corporate events. It takes care of our expenses when we go out of town for performances.”
So, what next? “We want to set up a dance studio and teach the form to more children. All we need is a sponsor and some encouragement,” said Ezhil, who has been approached by several parents who want their kids to be taken in.
