Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

The art of dancing
By Esther Williams
“Dancing is about beauty…strength…and making art with the most basic tool we possess – our bodies.” Yoshita Abayasekara’s recent production, ‘Dance Moves’ staged at the Lionel Wendt featured a variety of spectacular dances that gives meaning to the statement. Around 52 students including five boys from various schools in the age group of 10 to 17 exhibited their talents, energy and love for dance. The perfectly synchronised dance sequences that covered different eras of dance drew loud cheers of appreciation from the audience.

The evening’s entertainment comprised Yoshita’s favourite compositions moving from modern classical dance styles using drums and Enya music, followed by musicals like Greece, Flash Dance, Chicago and Bombay Dreams where junior and senior students performed together and a moment in the Charleston era which had the dancers working with hats and stools for Chicago. There was much contrast from the mix of Indian Bharatanatyam and Jazz in the Chaiya Chaiya number from Bombay Dreams; it was a point where East met West. The superb lighting and effects need special mention.

The second part of the programme was a treat of varied dances from the Michael Jackson era, Salsa, Jazz, Hip-hop, etc. There was also an item choreographed by the students themselves. Plenty of hard work had gone into it by the look of it. Costumes varied to suit the theme in each of the items. To add to the variety, an item choreographed by Kevin Nugera of El Latino had been included. His students performed a Salsa routine with a few of Yoshita’s students, which was truly remarkable.

Some of the stars of the evening were Farhana Fazleavas who has trained for five years with Yoshita, Bianca Wimalasuriya who is on the way to making a name for herself with eight years of learning Latin American dancing, Rashmin Sappideen and Rukaiya Abdul Hussain who has won many dance competitions.

Yoshita doesn’t need an introduction to Colombo audiences. Having choreographed many a school production, she is well known and loved by her students for the sensational dances she turns out. What needs to be appreciated most is her uncanny knack of bringing out the best in a child. Currently she teaches part time at the Asian International School and the Gateway International School. Most evenings she conducts classes for anyone who wishes to learn.

Yoshita has been exposed to different techniques and ideas from the courses and workshops she has attended, however, she is not done with learning more about choreography and different dances. She is focused on her purpose, “I hope to pass on my knowledge to my students!” Proceeds of the show went to the Grace Kumari Orphanage in Kalutara.

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