The self-taught dancers who dance for passion

Who doesn't love to dance? And thanks to Bollywood for bombarding us from Thumkas to Garba. As we just observed International Dance Day yesterday, let's pause to celebrate the self-taught dancer, a bright example of talent, tenacity, and artistic expression. 

All self-taught dancers deserve praise as they have mesmerised us with their talent and remind us that anything is possible with hard work and devotion.

Dancing is not just a hobby; it's a passion for Sharmin Muna, Management Trainee at Abul Khair Group and a self-taught dancer who finds comfort in the art form. She believes dancing is like flying. 

"Dance itself inspired me to start dancing. It may seem weird, but it's a fact. When I dance, I feel no stress in my life," she shared.

She briefly explained to the writer how she accidentally stumbled upon a dance class while already enrolled on her singing class. 

"I used to stand beside the dance class finishing my lesson. One fine morning the teacher noticed me and called me inside. When I told her I learned all the steps, she offered to show me some and guess what, the whole class gave me a standing ovation, and she took me to her class without fees. I got my first lesson from her in maybe 1 year," Muna reminisced.

Muna's passion for dance led her to explore different forms of dancing, but she preferred two styles. 

"I love to see all types of dancing. But if you ask me to choose for myself, then I must say Kathak and Contemporary."

She fondly remembers performing on a big stage in front of international guests. "Thanks to the FBS Dance Squad, I got individual appreciation from some of the delegates after the program. Still, I cherish that memory," she said.

Being a self-taught dancer has its own set of challenges. Muna had to face the lack of support from her family and friends. "I could never convince my family how much I love dancing. I never got support from friends and relatives or close ones who could help me get a lesson," she explained.

For Muna, dance is not just a physical activity. It plays a significant role in her mental and emotional well-being. "Whenever I get stressed, feel bad, or do nothing good about life, I start dancing. That's why I call dance my medicine for sadness," she shared.

Despite having other responsibilities, Muna always remembers to make time for dancing. 

"Other responsibilities may give me stress, whereas dancing gives me freedom. For me, dance is like a part of me. I never miss dancing because I live in dance. In every single movement, I feel it."

Muna's journey as a self-taught dancer can inspire many who want to pursue their passion despite the challenges. "A self-taught dancer needs nothing but self-confidence to dance or to do anything she likes or makes her feel better," Muna concluded.

Tanzina Imroj is the former general secretary of FBS Dance Squad, Dhaka University. Being a self-taught dancer, her journey was fascinating, beginning when she was only 12. At her cousin's wedding, she first discovered her love for dance. 

"For the first time, I danced at her holud function and got many appraisals for both my dance and expression. Thus, I became thirsty for the recognition," says Tanzina.

When preparing for performances, Tanzina's mindset is all about enjoying the moment. 

"Dancing is not about syncing steps perfectly; dance is about enjoying the moment and myself. The audience will remember the vibe, not the perfect choreography. So I have to enjoy my best," she said.

Tanzina's performances are a unique blend of different dance styles and techniques. "Different styles need different practices. Usually, I try to stick with my comfort styles, but sometimes I fall in love with the new trends. So I try to cope up with new styles," she explains.

One of Tanzina's most memorable performances was the Fbs Dance Squad Flashmob, which went viral and caught the attention of James Gunn and John Cena. 

"That time, I was playing the role of General Secretary Organising. I was so happy and proud," she says.

For aspiring dancers, Tanzina's advice is to dance for the love of it. "Don't worry about your steps. It is you, yourself, your expression, your enjoyment the audience love," she remarked.

And when the crowd cheers and dances to her performances, Tanzina finds it incredible. 

"When I hear the cheering, it feels like all my hard work, hard rehearsal days paid off. It is worth the effort. This crowd cheering motivates me to do more and more for the next performance."

Both Tanzina and Muna's passion for dance is truly inspiring. Their style and energy are infectious, and their self-learning mindset is laudable.

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