Four men and four women stand facing each other. A bow and curtsy later, they move towards each other in formation, linking arms with their partners. The group expands and contracts — a human expendaball.
As they perform the Posties jig, a type of Scottish dance, their fellow members of the Scottish Country Dance Society of Chennai, look on from the sides. With the annual St Andrew's Ball only a couple of days away, rehearsals are on.
Every Scottish dance group has a chieftain, the leader who decides the dances to be performed, and this one’s is Balaji Moorthy. “The Scottish Country Dance Society of Chennai was set up in 1969,” he says, “Back then, Hindustan Motors opened its plant here; they employed many Scottish expats. For lack of a social life they began dancing at suppertime on Mondays.”
It’s a tradition Balaji and his group have been upholding, as the society prepares to celebrate its golden anniversary next year. “A couple of years after the Society was formed, it started attracting a lot of attention from Indians as well. In fact, the first Indian chieftain took over in 1972,” he says.
So happy together
We have gathered at the terrace of one of the members’ home. Under the violet-tinged night sky and a moon masked by wispy cirrus clouds, the sound of accordions fills the air. Laughter flows freely, as does the alcohol. (“I love Scotland, because I love Scotch,” jokes someone.)
“It’s just about moving in patterns — S, Y, or 8,” explains my partner. A couple raises their arms in an arch as my partner and I go under it. We do the same for them. We ditch stately grace and skip in four-by-fours, as we perform the ‘Wild Geese’.
KK Vijaykumar at 73, is the oldest member of the group; he has also been a chieftain in his 32 years with the society. His sprightly steps reflect a lifetime of movement: he has been a professional Kathakali dancer for the major part of his life. “Kathakali is strenuous, intense, rigorous. This, on the other hand, is easy… It’s fun. You get to meet so many people,” he says.
After all, that’s what Scottish dancing does: take dancing back to its roots of social bonding. You never stick to one partner, moving through the circle dancing with a different person in each set. The friendliness and familiarity among this group can be seen in easy side-hugs here, pats on backs there.
“It’s all about friendship,” agrees Swapna Sundar, “My friends and I want to visit Scotland together, and learn more about its culture.” She and her husband joined the group, after their jive teacher — also a member — advised them to.
“That’s how we get new members, it’s all word of mouth,” says Balaji. The host of the Monday dances is free to invite her own guests. Those who enjoy the dance, keep coming for future rehearsals. “We have all just wandered in,” laughs Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, who oversees the choreography.
Making merry
The St Andrew’s Ball is celebrated around November 30, every year. “St Andrew is Scotland’s patron saint,” says Vijaykumar. “The Scottish also have another main function, Burns Night, in celebration of the poet Robert Burns.” At the ball, the society includes recitals of his poems.
The supper, also be a tribute to Scotland, will feature traditional dishes such as haggis — a savoury pudding containing sheep’s pluck — and apple strudel. Back at our host’s place, we wrap up a session of hearty dancing, and head down to her house where a lavish Christmas dinner awaits us.
The St Andrew’s Ball will be held at Crowne Plaza on November 30, from 7 pm. To join the Scottish Country Dance Society, mail balaji51@gmail.com.
