United Arab Emirates: This father-son duo defied stereotypes to become the best dancers – News

We live in a world where everything has a gender. Societies have defined roles for both men and women. And from time to time, when one tries to take on the role assigned to the other, eyebrows are raised, you are considered a less than perfect specimen of your gender.

Rahul Gupta was just four years old when he became drawn to freestyle and folk dancing, often watching them on television and on stage, first in Ambala and then in Calcutta, two Indian cities known for their affinity with the art. and culture. It’s not all that unusual given the dramatic elements these dance forms have to offer. It also helped that his mother had once aspired to become a classical dancer.

Eventually, the mother-son duo bonded over dance: discussion of how certain difficult steps were achieved and what was included in the choreography became a common topic of conversation in the Gupta household.

But things took a completely different turn when, at the age of 17, Rahul told his family that he wanted to become a professional dancer. While dancing had been a hobby, one of the many things that interested Rahul, everything had been fine. But by pursuing dance as a full-time career he had deviated from the rule book drawn up for him.

And yet, as he remembers, in dance he found a way to express himself freely. “The prospect of communicating through facial expressions without using language allowed me to express myself authentically,” she says. “Dance transmits a wide range of emotions, stories and ideas through movements, gestures and this makes it a unique form of expression.” While his immediate family supported his decision, his relatives ridiculed the idea, dismissing it as a non-viable career option for a bright young man.

Rahul remembered both the criticism and the support. One reason why, when he became a father himself in 2010, he promised himself that he would let his son find his calling in life, a calling that, unsurprisingly, turned out to be dance, given that so much Rahul like his wife Seema are professional dancers. .

Today, Rahul Gupta works as a dance teacher and choreographer at The Millennium School in Dubai, and his 13-year-old son Bharat has become something of a child prodigy in the world of dance, having won the prestigious Balshri awarded by the Haryana Government and the best child dancer award from the International Film Festival of Australia (IFFA).

In the United Arab Emirates, the father-son duo has been part of several performances. From Indian classical and folk dance to Middle Eastern salsa, hip hop and stick dancing, the duo has left audiences spellbound with their elegant moves and storytelling. “Usually Indian classical dances have a story that runs through them. But in my choreographies, even for Arabic dances, I try to tell a story. I remember in one of my 90-minute dance dramas, in which even Bharat was a part, we told the story of Aladin through fire dance, gypsy dance, stick dance, Egyptian dance and hip hop. contemporary,” says Rahul. “While Indian classical dance and Arabic dance may differ in their cultural contexts and styles, they both share a deep-rooted connection to tradition, storytelling, and the expression of the human experience through movement and music.”

Bharat, who is in ninth grade, says juggling dance and academics is challenging, but “my genuine interest in dance makes it easier for me to balance both.” “Time management is key to growth in both areas of my life,” she says. Rahul adds that sometimes he feels like his peers make fun of him for his chosen hobby, but “thanks to my achievements and dedication, I have managed to earn the respect of my peers.”

As a team, Rahul and Bharat have certain rules on how to act together. “Eye contact with your audience is crucial to maintaining their interest and captivating them. As we perform, our expressions and storytelling develop a connection between dancer and viewer. Since no words are used, we keep the choreography so simple and uncluttered that it transcends all language barriers,” says Rahul, and Bharat adds, “The choice of music and its relationship also plays an important role in engaging the people.” people while they act.”

The duo says they worked hard to practice the steps. “As Bharat is my student and my son, we understand each other very well on and off the stage. Over the years, our shared passion for dance, effective communication and joy of performing together have cultivated a wonderful chemistry,” says Rahul.

That chemistry is evident in the little anecdote the duo share. Three years ago, Rahul and Bharat had to perform in Sydney, Australia, at quite short notice. “We had to perform something completely new and we didn’t have much time to prepare the choreography,” Bharat remembers. “We had to choreograph while traveling, which we did on the plane, on buses and on the subway. We practiced wherever we could, even while waiting outside the bathrooms! We continued our practice until the last moment in the hotel room and backstage. We were quite nervous, but surprisingly the performance was well coordinated and much appreciated. It is one of our memorable experiences shared as performers where our chemistry really paid off,” adds Rahul.

Just as both Rahul and Bharat have evolved as artists, so has their family, who now see them as success stories in their own right. “They witnessed my growth as an artist and the opportunities that arose for me, both personally and professionally. Over time, they came to appreciate the importance of following one’s passion and pursuing a career that aligns with one’s interests and talents,” says Rahul.

It also helps that the UAE gives artists like him a dynamic platform to pursue their dreams. “I recently got the opportunity to perform with Bharat at the International Bharat Parv, organized by the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Nrithyam 2023, where Bharat bagged the first position,” says Rahul. “The United Arab Emirates has provided us with other opportunities for cultural exchange and artistic expression. Many students here have also shown great interest in learning the classical dance form, which brings me great joy.”

anamika@khaleejtimes.com

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