A dance form typically has much deeper symbolism and meaning attached to it than what is apparent to its viewers. The choreography can deliver a cultural message that even shrill words may not represent as sharply. With her keen interest in the psychological effects of music and dance, stemming from her research on the subject, Hungarian dancer Eniko Bobis hopes to articulate the worldwide violence against women through her choreography. She recently held a three-day dance workshop in Varanasi, as part of a month-long summer camp organized by a local voluntary organisation for providing vocational and educational training to young women. Her choreography lessons, attended by around 40 girls from nearby areas, revolved around the theme of One Billion Rising, a global campaign by women against violence suffered by women.
"This choreography has a deep and actual message. It's not only about dance but is to take part in an important worldwide movement: protest to end the violence against women," she says. Eniko kicked off her volunteer work as a dance and English language teacher in March this year. She documented the rehearsals of the dance through pictures and videos, which she will assemble into a video and share on the internet and send to the One Billion Rising centre in the United States. "A dance school teacher back home, she's worked as a dance leader for years, starting early as a child. In September she will volunteer for a Hungarian NGO 'Chance India' for a charity event to fund the construction of a school in Mehdiganj, Varanasi.