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Dancing their way from Pune to China

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Pune: Art needs no language to express itself. That's what a Lavani troupe from India has shown as they showcased their talent in China when some of the girls didn't even understand their host's language. A troupe of 13 dancers from Pune, Mumbai and Solapur, many of them school dropouts, travelled abroad to showcase the Marathi folk dance Lavani during a cultural exchange programme and came back winners.
Reshma Paritekar, 36, who had been taking lavani lessons since she was seven, can't still get over the unique experience she had in China. They had been part of cultural exchange programme and were expected to perform in two functions. But their dance form was so well received that they had to add four more events.
"I am a guest lecturer in Mumbai University where I teach lavani. We had formed a group there titled Lokrang Sanskutik Manch and had performed about three months ago. That's when we got invite for the exchange event in China. We were pretty scared initially as none of us had ever been abroad. We were going to showcase India's folk dance to the world," said Reshma.
Butterflies in their stomach settled as they started their rehearsals with dancers from countries like China, France, Germany, Indonesia and the US. "They were all dressed in western outfits and we were all wearing our traditional nine-yard sarees, heavy make up and accessories. We were looking complete misfits there," recalled Varsha, who is Reshma;s sister.
All others were looking at them in a bemused manner. But as soon as the music started, and the Lavani dancers did a few steps, the energy of their performance took over the auditorium. "It was pretty infectious beat and they were extremely amused by the energy of our dance," Varsha said.
The proudest moment was when dancers from other countries requested an encore for their 'gavlan' and 'mujra' performances. "We didn't know a single Chinese word, and yet we communicated through our art. We made a few good friends there. I even learnt basics of ball dance while they learnt to greet us with traditional namaskar and a few steps of Lavani," said Pramil Lodgekar, 48, who was also part of the troupe.

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