When one thinks of tango, a vivid imagery of gyrating limbs and passionate couples comes to the mind. But beyond that, one cannot deny the fact that there is a lot of technicality involved. There are two major forms of tango, Argentine tango and Ballroom (American and International) tango, with subtle differences between them. It is believed that tango developed in the late 19th century, in the working-class suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina, practiced by Uruguayan and Argentinian dancers, musicians, and immigrant labourers. Developed from this, ballroom tango steps have been standardised by dance studios, with the movements being relatively monotonous in style for decades. However, Argentine tango has been an evolving dance form, with continual changes occurring every day. Argentine tango dance is still heavily based on improvisation.
Pablo Fidonza and Julia Marini, who have been tapping their feet to Argentine tango together since the last seven years, are a renowned professional dance couple all across Europe. In their first visit to India, they have collaborated with Kiran Sawhney’s New Delhi Tango School (NDTS) to conduct a workshop during the weekend for tango enthusiasts and beginners. Fidonza terms the Tango weekend at NDTS as the Delhi Milonga, which is more like a Tango party for the Argentine variant, he explained. The couple has had a fascination for the Indian culture since a while now, and as they were preparing for their European Tango tour, they came across the idea of visit to India and got in touch with NDTS for a collaboration of Tango tutorials in the capital.
Sawhney happens to be the first professionally trained Argentine Tango teacher in Delhi/India. “People, in the beginning, are apprehensive about embarrassing themselves while dancing, but then they realise that tango is just as easy as walking but more fun,” she said, explaining the rising interest of people towards this dance form. She has been tangoing for the past 11 years and set up the NDTS around three years ago. “I am a fitness trainer by profession but I discovered that tango actually, is a light form of exercise and aids us in staying fit along with having fun. To me, tango will always remain a passion,” she added.
Fidonza mentions that though he is really passionate about tango, he gives it more importance than just as his career and passion. “While giving a professional dance lesson in our hometown of la Santina in Buenos Aires, I met the love of my life, Julia and this would not have happened if not for tango. So I aim at teaching tango to as many people as possible for the rest of my life,” he added with a smile. Before they met, both him and his wife Marini had been dancing to the tunes of tango for nine years, albeit individually. They told us that they have always regarded India with a certain respect for its culture, Marini mentioned that for a long while now, she has stayed in touch with Indian culture by practicing yoga daily, wherever she is.
Together, they have participated in festivals and tango holidays, and offered regular classes, workshops and shows in many cities in Germany, France, Switzerland, Russia, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Fidonza revealed that after their Indian visit they have tours scheduled in Germany, Denmark and Netherlands. With their busy schedules and immense popularity it is no wonder that every year, for four months they spend touring other tango exuberant countries. “Tango is what we love and what we would like to do for the rest of our lives,” signed off Marini.