Groove: up close and personal

It’s up, close and personal, literally. Welcome to the world of Bachata — an intimate style of dancing that is steadily catching the fancy of the city’s dance enthusiasts.

And with  Valentine’s Day almost here, dance studios are offering Bachata workshops to help you get those sensuous moves right.

“Bachata was a guitar rhythm and not a dance form. It originated in the countryside of the Dominican Republic where people started dancing to the Bachata music. That is how it became a dance form,” says Vivek Yadav, principal trainer and director, Tango Club India.

Coming from the same family as Salsa, Rumba, Samba, Cha-cha and Jive, Bachata involves relatively simpler steps and is a bit less heavy on technicalities.

This obviously makes it score points with the lot that gets intimidated by elaborate dance moves. “You can pick up the basics even in a single dance class, while Salsa can take at least three months of regular classes,” says 32-year-old dentist, Neil Abreo, who recently attended a Bachata workshop at the Arts in Motion Dance Studio.

 “In Salsa, you use the hand to guide you a lot, while in Bachata it’s the legs and the hands that guide you collectively. Body contact is also much more in Bachata. Another distinct characteristic of this dance form is that most of the footwork is led by the male partner,” says Bollywood choreographer Geeta Kapur. Bachata is relatively up-tempo yet slow, consisting basic back and forth or sideways motion.

While the technique is not very intensive, the intimacy this dance form demands has people shying away at times. However, Aanchal Gupta, director, Arts in Motion Dance Studio, says there is always scope for improvisation to make it appeal to the sensibilities of those who aren’t comfortable getting too close with their dance partners.

“In this style of dance, you are totally attached. But if people are reluctant, we give them the option of dancing with open positions instead of close ones,” Gupta says. “You can do Bachata even when at a comfortable distance.”

Akshada Walavalkar, a 22-year-old advertising professional and a Bachata dance enthusiast points out that it’s all cool if you are comfortable with your partner.

“You can do a nice steamy dance even if you maintain distance. Take a call depending on who your partner is,” says Walavalkar,
who describes Bachata as ecstatic and groovy.

Bachata notes have romance as their primary subject. But Yadav says that any dance form that involves passion and romance has a certain sadness to it. “Because of its history as a dance between lovers, there are many sensual hip and body movements.

However, the dance, even done by oneself, is extremely romantic,” Yadav says. Ajay Singh, a merchant navy captain, got introduced to Bachata when he chanced upon a Youtube clipping of it. He later practised a few basic Bachata moves with a friend before attending a formal workshop with Tango Club India.

“While Waltz is a slow and strict dance from, Bachata is a slow and sensuous dance that requires a lot of chemistry,” says Singh.
“It’s easy to accept and stay in the flavour of Caribbean dances like Bachata,” says Yadav.

Attend a Bachata workshop this Sunday at Tango Club India, Bandra.