It’s all about song and dance

India’s rich culture in music and dance might benefit the country in a way that not many might have guessed — winning medals in athletic events.

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals
manipulate one apparatus: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon. Principally a women’s sport, it is a combination of gymnastics, dance and apparatus manipulation, performed on music.
In the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, the three gymnasts who are going to represent India — Akshata Shete, Kshipra Joshi and Pooja Surve — all hail from Mumbai.

India coach, Varsha Upadhye explained the selection process of the girls, “In 2007, 12 probables from all over the country were short listed from their performances in the national championships. They were trained under the Commonwealth Scheme and sent to represent the country in various international competitions. The final three were selected on the basis of their performance in those competitions and also the Commonwealth trials.”

“The competition was stiff,” said 19-year old Akshata. “Some of the girls were unlucky to miss out because the squad can only be of three. One girl, Sadichchha Kulkarni, who trained with us was very good and would have definitely made it if the squad comprised of four members.”

Music and dance is a big part of rhythmic gymnastics. Pooja, 19, started training in gymnastics at the age of five and later trained in classical dance forms like Kathak and Ballet. She was the winner of Mee Marathi Talawar Tal De Dhamal — a dance based reality show in 2008.

“Rhythmic gymnastics is a mixture of gymnastics and dance so it is an amalgamation of both my interests,” she
explained.

Coach Upadhye is realistic about her team but expects great things for the country in the future because of the nature of the sport. She said, “I believe that the Indian woman is very flexible and can perform gymnastics very well. Although this sport is not traditionally played in India, the country has a very rich culture. Our music and dance forms are being used by gymnasts from other countries in the sport, so there is no reason why we cannot excel.

“These girls had started rhythmic gymnastics at a relatively later age. So, they are way behind nations like Japan and Russia, but we are training much younger girls, who will produce medals for the country if they are given backing like the Commonwealth Scheme.”

The Mumbai trio have been completely focused on the sport ever since they made it to the probables’ list. They have been excused by their respective academic institutions from attending lectures so that they can practice eight hours a day.

Kshipra, 16, and the youngest of the three said, “I have finished my schooling and have taken admission to Ruia college this year, but apart from the first day, I have not attended a single lecture.”
The sport has become such a big part of their lives that they even spend their free time on enhancing their performance. “In my free time I watch videos of international gymnasts on Youtube. We try to incorporate what we learn in those videos into our poses.” said Akshata.