Many of us are familiar with some Latin dances such as tango, salsa and cha cha cha among others. But perhaps we scrunch our faces at our ignorance on others such as bachata, kizombo or merengue. At this year’s Latin Festival Madras, held during October 2-4, Chennaiites got the chance to shuffle their feet and move their body to the rhythm of salsa and bachata.
The festival, in its second edition, saw the addition of obscure, but big names from the world of Latin dance. I say obscure because only a handful of people in India are aware of them and their work.
The presence, performance and workshops conducted by these charming artists over the weekend brought the people of Chennai one step closer to Latino culture.
One of the many dancers to have been a part of the festival this year is Vineet Bangera, who calls himself a “dance entrepreneur.” A quick interview with the glitzy dancer reveals his growing passion for the performing arts, inspiration, goals, dance school and much more.
How did you come to be associated with the Latin Festival Madras?
I have been into professional dancing for 15 years now, and having worked on national and international platforms, have been following many such dance festivals that happen all over the country. As a teacher, I must educate and hone the talents of up and coming artists through classes and workshops, which several festivals offer.
Arun Srinivasan, the organiser of the event, and I have been friends for quite some time. I was invited to the first edition of the festival but couldn’t make it because of prior commitments. However, this time, I was determined not to miss the opportunity.
Could you elaborate on the “dance entrepreneur” tag?
In India, dance is seen more as a hobby. It can also be a mainstream career, but usually not encouraged beyond classical and culturally significant dance forms. However, internationally, a career in dance is accepted and supported.
As a dance entrepreneur, I encourage talented people to take it up professionally. If you have a passion for dance, follow it. Be associated with the field, be active and take care of your body. The idea is to provide a one-stop educational and infrastructural platform and help individuals with opportunities. That’s how I started my school, Dance Central in 2011.
How did your interest in Latin dance forms develop?
My first brush with Latin dance happened in 1999 when I was in Dubai, where I took cha cha cha lessons. I focussed on giving it my all. I have tried jazz and contemporary dance as well, and figured that my forte lay in Latin dance.
Latin dance is not merely two people twisting around on the dance floor. There are different styles to one particular type of dance. For example, take salsa – there is the LA style and New York style, which are musically different, and then there’s Cuban style.
Understanding the art is really important. It sounds clichéd. A man and woman don’t just move about, but actually communicate to the beat and rhythm of the music.
Who have been your greatest influences?
For me, mainly there are two groups that have inspired me. One is the team of Tatiana Mollman and Jordan Frisbee from the U.S. and the other, Tropical Gem, a group of beautiful Latin dancers. Watching them dance makes me feel incompetent and pushes me to strive to be better.
Let’s talk about your stint with Nach Baliye 7...
Nach Baliye was not quite what I expected. My wife, Smiley Suri and I went into the competition thinking we will give it our best shot. But we found that for the sake of exoticism, certain concepts were introduced that were quite alien to us, like the idea of what I call ‘Bollywood salsa.’ That’s not even a thing, and yet, that was what was expected from us!
You have worked with several celebrities. Who is the most funyou have worked with?
I have worked with Sonali Bendre, Kangana Ranaut, Manisha Koirala and Shahana Goswami, among others. But my favourite has to be Manisha Koirala. She is really graceful and we had fun working together. And of course, my wife; she’s always fun to work with!
Apart from dancing, what are your other interests?
I am a fitness freak and as a dancer, I have to make sure that my body is in great shape. Photography is another interest that I am passionate about. I try to make time for all these as much as I can.
