India’s first solo B-boying championship is on today. Here’s what to expect from the underground art form.
Feel the pulse of toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes at the R16 India Solo B-boying competition today at Andheri Sports Complex. Popularised in the early 80s, B-boying or breaking is swiftly gathering momentum in India.
“R16 India will be an annual event and we will introduce a group category next year,” says Paritosh Parmar, the organiser for today’s event. Three international judges from Korea, Taiwan and Nepal will preside and the winner will represent India at the South-East Asia finals in June, he says.
Prosenjit Guy Kundu, an accomplished dancer and instructor, taught the first generation of B-boys in India in 2006 for a year, mentoring them in the right direction, providing them music to showing them how to practice.
“At its heart, breaking and other street dance styles in their pure form are always underground, while existing simultaneously in the mainstream,” Prosenjit says. Frequent jams and battles are organised by Paritosh’s group, Underdog Kombat Crew.
“Battling is a huge part of B-boying, and though some people thrive off it, many do it for personal growth and expression,” says Prosenjit. Some people however, prefer to dance at cyphers and even explore the commercial dance
industry.
B-boying comes together with other distinct arts like DJ-ing, MC-ing and graffiti to form the hip-hop culture from the 70s. It is a dynamic dance form, not just a combination of stunts, with significant focus on technique.
That B-boying was part of a gang culture is a misconception. Breaking has actually had an uplifting affect on young people keeping kids in bad neighbourhoods away from gangs, says Prosenjit. “If you give respect, you get respect,” says Paritosh, emphasising that dressing and talking the style without understanding the culture is meaningless.
Neerav Bavlecha, anchor of Zee’s Dance India Dance Little Masters says, “With this platform, masters get to experiment and spread awareness about dances like B-boying which is growing at a very fast pace in India.”
The competition is slated to give a boost to the dance and give India recognition in the world B-boy community.
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