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Are you twinkle-toed?
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Who sets the dance floor on fire? Men or women? The jury is still out on this one, says SUDHA UMASHANKER
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Photo: Mohammed Yousuf
WHO IS THE BETTER DANCER? Many believe that girls have an innate talent for dance
How many men are like Fred Astaire when it comes to social dancing? Are there both men and women with two left feet?
Who is more shy and self-conscious when it comes to stepping on to the dance floor under the glare of people sitting around ? Who is the first to shake a leg when the music is rocking? Boys or girls?
Pose the question to P. Sridharan, a former marine engineer who has been dancing for years and he says, “In our days it was the men who got on to the floor first. Today it’s the women. Back then if a man could dance well he would ask a woman if she would give him the pleasure of partnering him.”
Anusha Vincent, a final year Biotech student says its women who are more eager to get on to the dance floor. “Boys are actually more shy and they probably think dancing is something silly. Boys tend to make the first move only when they have their eyes on a girl.”
Yuvaraj, a choreographer and a student of physiotherapy swears that it’s the boys who would jump on to the floor first. “They go partying more often. Most of the guys who work in call centres and BPOs need to unwind and de-stress.”
Girls groove first
It’s also about interest levels more than anything else.
Ramash, Founder-Director of the Raack Academy of Dance feels that although girls are more interested they are held back by reservations and doubts about what people might think if they are seen grooving.
“So it looks as if the boys are more keen. There are women from conservative families who love dancing and leave home with their partners in a sari, go to a friend’s house, change into casuals/party wear before they head for the discotheque. During social occasions men tend to outnumber women purely because of social restrictions.”
Krishna a dance instructor reasons, “Girls go first because boys sometimes chat, tease, have their own fun before they hit the dance floor.” Nirmal, a HR executive in a software company explains that “if boys take longer to head for the floor it’s because they give the girls a chance to perform, make their assessments and then plan their moves.”
Although today couples doing the waltz, the foxtrot, the cha cha, the tango and other partner dances are in a minority (except for the salsa which is a rage and the jive and rock and roll which are eternal favourites) what with freestyle dances and hip hop being the trend, asking a woman for a dance seems to be a time tested ploy to get to know her and impress her.
As Sridharan says, “One of the ways to attract a woman was to be a good dancer. When we were abroad some of my friends used to tell the better dancers among us to go befriend a girl after which they would take over. For ballroom dancing you have to have some knack and technique. The man would lead and guide the woman. All these modern dance styles which are not pair dances require more energy than grace.”
If a girl asks a boy for a dance would eyebrows be raised?
Asha Sridharan says, “It really depends on the individual. If a woman is keen on dancing she will be the one to initiate the whole thing.”
Anusha Vincent however has a different view. “It’s hardly done here. It’s still that old chivalry thing. Since boys are not such good dancers, girls tend to dance among girl groups and there is no awkwardness.”
So who is the better dancer?
Opines Ramash, “Girls have an innate talent for dance. Boys who are good dancers are in a minority. If you have fifty girls who can dance well you would probably find only 15 boys who can do so.”
Yuvaraj’s vote is for the boys. “They are better dancers in every which way — power, attitude whatever.”
Anusha Vincent thinks that some of the boys make pathetic dancers. “I have heard stories from my friends who have been stepped on quite badly. Girls have that inborn grace. They don’t look ungainly.”
Sealing the debate Nirmal says, “Girls are good — a majority of them. Because of their structure and look they attract people. Its welcome to partner with a girl because you can give life to a song and when a girl dances with you, you enjoy the song more.”
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