Upbeat music, wide smiles, the occasional misstep, followed by a wider smile — this was the mood at Effingut, on Park Street, on March 9, as Salsawala Studios brought together the magic of Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba under one roof. Hitesh Teckchandani and Priyam Bose took the extra step to make Kolkatans groove in style with a complimentary Bachata Workshop too.
The Bachata workshop was a hit, bringing together both experienced dancers and beginners. For Sonali Ghosh (extreme left), a fashion consultant at Tarun Tahiliani, it was her first social dance. ‘I have always dreamt of learning Latin dance forms and it was an exhilarating experience to dance with everyone.’ Hotelier Jagannath Marothia (extreme right) on the other hand, has frequented the dance classes for a while. ‘Salsa is a lot of fun! Hitesh and Priyam are fantastic teachers,’ he said
Once the basics were taught, Teckchandani and Bose arranged participants in pairs. The activity became even more fun, as people were encouraged to change partners after every song, making it a truly social dance. With close to a hundred people on the dance floor, there was never a dull moment.
(Left) YouTuber Sushmita Prasad and designer Vidit Agarwal are regulars at Salsawala Studios, and both loved the concept of social dancing. (Right) Priyam Bose and Hitesh Teckchandani lead the dancers
“The night wasn’t just a lesson in dance, but also in connection and community. It was a celebration of culture and an invitation to step out of our comfort zones to explore something new. I left feeling energised, inspired, and ready to take on the world – one dance step at a time!” said YouTuber Sushmita Prasad.
Teckchandani and Bose laid the foundation for the Salsa fever gripping the city long ago, teaching the dance at Rabindra Sarobar Lake on Sunday mornings. “When we started, it was with a mindset to teach Salsa at the Lakes to anyone and everyone who wanted to learn,” said Teckchandani. In 2021, they set up their own studio.
Teckchandani’s focus on creating a safe space deeply resonated with research consultant Aakanksha Agrawal (right). ‘I love how Priyam and Hitesh communicated ways to set boundaries in a social dance. They created a really comfortable atmosphere. I have recently joined their basic Bachata class and am loving every minute of it!’
“The joy behind a dance form like Salsa is that it allows you to dance with everyone. The dance form is gender neutral, bringing together people across spectrums, and there is an emphasis on respecting boundaries and making your partner comfortable,” Teckchandani signed off.
