Part two of India Fiesta latina 2013 has stars from Brazil and Colombia. The organiser Suneet Chopra informs Shana M Verghis they plan to host the world championships here
Suneet Chopra was a corporate entrepreneur for many years.He also danced as a stress-buster. It was how he met his wife.About ten years ago, during sabbatical from work, his spouse and Suneet got enthusiastic about salsa on a trip to the US East Coast.
“We learnt to dance, and I would deejay at salsa conferences. last year, we began the Fiesta latina, to spread a bit of latin culture in India. Our aim is to make Delhi the world’s salsa capital.” You think he is being bombastic. But Suneet is not joking.
“If you attend our events, you will realise that we have it all together. Upto 400 dancers gather often. Besides, India has high figures, in terms of the numbers of people who can participate. And we also have a big production set up, in terms of the venue etc.”
India Fiesta latina is not a competitive. Its a social festival.
The three-day event at Jaypee Greens, has workshops to, “join the crazy latin world of salsa”, and a special Anybody Can Dance Salsa section, which means what it says — you can participate, even if you don’t have a clue about dancing.
There will be social dance performances, with three-four shows by world class champions.last of all, is the ‘Stargate’ level, “for amateurs and students, whose performance will be acknowledged by a group.”
This year’s invitees include John and Melody who won the Columbian-style sala, called ‘cali’ last year. And Raffaelle and Carille who topped the World Championships at Puerto Rica in 2012.
Suneet explained, “Puerto Rico is the best place for salsa in the world. The kind that is primarily done is from there. Along with the Cuban ‘son’ (rhythm).”The event is supported by the Peruvian and Colombian embassies, with the latin experience milked through language (Spanish), as well as the dance shows.
Chopra shared, “Classic salseros like the music by singers such as Victor Manuel, a Spanish musician. And Tito Puente, salsa composer and latin jazz musician. However, there are more recent varieties like hip-hop salsa, R&B salsa. Plus we have zouk and kizomba, which are Afro-Cuban dances. The core is still salas and contemporary, with jazz moves, but also flamboyant and pure.”
He said that Bollywood has not affected the heart of salsa, “but we teach Bollywood and bellywood styles. The Indian pelvic gyration is out of place in classic salsa. But we do have Bollywood Nights where the salsa dancers can let their hair down to the music.” Chopra’s partner-in-crime is Neeraj Mascara, a dancer and instructor based in Singapore.
Another visitor this year will be Super Mario, an instructor based in UK who is dubbed the, “million moves man. Apparently he is regarded as the best social dancer, and a magnet for women on the floor.”
The Fiesta will also be inviting Valentine Behringer, a German “salsa photographer”, whose passport problems currently have him in “stuck in Frankfurt.”
Ask about sponsorship and Chopra laughs, saying that is “a painful topic. The cost and class of the event surpasses the contribution of our sponsors. So Neeraj and I usually shell out money from our own pockets. But our plan is to get a salsa world championship to India. We’re looking at something bigger than Sunburn in less than ten years.”