There's Hip Hop music playing in the background with youngsters dressed in black “Choreo Culture” T- shirts waiting to show off a few moves. These are some of the participants in the Indian Hip Hop Championship being organised in the country for the first time.
Anjan Sivakumar, founder, Choreo Culture, a school of dance, and organiser of the national championship, seems excited about the event. He says, “The winner from here will get to participate in the International Hip Hop Dance Championship at Las Vegas. Around 30 nations are participating and India will make its debut there this year.” The team that wins the Indian Hip Hop Championship will be trained by Choreo Culture for the ultimate showdown in July.
But the route to Vegas isn't simple. Participants will first have to qualify and win the India leg that consists of the Indian Hip Hop Battle Championship and Indian Hip Hop Crew Championship. For the former, contestants will have to perform B-boy, Popping, Locking and Freestyle. The crew championship requires the contestants to come in teams of five to eight and showcase styles such as Wacking, Krumping, Stepping, Vogueing, House Dance, Locking and Popping.
To encourage more participation, the contest is divided into three categories — Juniors (7 to12 years), Varsity (13 to 17 years) and Adults (18 years and above). “Here they will get four minutes to perform in front of two judges, but, in Vegas, they'll get two minutes to dance and will be judged by 30 judges,” says Anjan.
So what are India's chances at the international level? To that, Anjan doesn't have a reply. Instead he provides a quick demonstration of what his students can do. And the effort is commendable. “I want hip hop dancers from all over the country to take part in the contest. The winner of the Championship will get to win U.S. $25,000.” To participate in the competition, dancers will have to upload their dance videos on YouTube and mail them to Anjan. “The criteria are simple. We'll look for choreography, the applicant's knowledge of the dance form and attitude,” he says. The India finals will be held in June.
For details, log on to >www.choreoculture.com or call 98845-88775.
