The event carried two social causes-Healthy Youth for Healthy New Nepal, an effort of NSDTI and GAA´s Seto Kamij Abhiyan, an advocacy for right to uninterrupted education. [break]
While the event took place at Hyatt Regency, Bauddha on February 12, the second rendition was carried out at St Xavier´s premises on February 14.
“The aim of this event is to provide the Nepali B-Boys/Girls a platform to demonstrate their skills and moves,” informed the Thai boxing instructor Krisada Kawjanwat, one of the founders of NSDTI.
The event also provided a wonderful opportunity for the young B-Boys/Girls to gain self-respect, he said.
NSDTI has been promoting B-Boying as an alternative against drugs and violence.
A mixed bag of musical performances, the second day of the Jatra had young bands such as Mainstream covering some classic rock songs. Nepsydaz, an established Hip-hop band, also made their special performance. However, the event mainly concentrated on B-Boying.
All Star Thai B-Boy crew, who were in the valley for the event, stole the show with their brilliant performances. Accompanying the Thai crew were Nepal´s B-Boying teams -Himalayan B-Boy Crew, DoomSquad and Battle Nuts Crew.
Attended by huge crowd of youngsters, the Jatra kicked off with the signature moves from Nepali B-Boys/Girls.
A musical collaboration between ´Sarangi´ and ´Madal´-the traditional Nepali musical instruments-and beat-boxing added uniqueness to the event. Beat-boxing is a form of vocal percussion which primarily involves the art of producing drumbeats, rhythm, and musical sounds by using one´s mouth, lips, tongue, and voice.
Clad in the traditional dresses, Nepali boys and girls also danced to the fusion tunes of Sarangi and beat box. The dancers did ´Jhyaure´ moves with freestyle steps.
The event had about a dozen of B-Boying performances that ranged from light and supple moves of DoomSquad to powerful acrobatic moves by All Star Thai Crew. Ashma Singh, the first B-Girl from NSDTI, debuted at the Jatra.
The event didn´t only confine to the performers. Thai B-Boy Chaiwat Sareebot, a former Asian B-Boy champion, called audiences on the stage and exchanged dance steps. The Thai team also gave a demo class to kids from Children Youth First, an orphanage.
Teaming up their traditional attires to stylish sneakers and jeans, Himalayan B-Boy Crew put up their performance titled “Nepal in Unity”. Explaining about the presentation, Krisada said, “Dance brings people into a same stage, not withstanding the class or caste they belong to. And this performance is all about unifying people from different communities.”
The friendly battle between Nepali and Thai B-Boys, the last act of the event, proved to be the most action-packed presentation. “The battle provided us with a chance to introspect on where we stand as performers both as an individual and as a team. Nepali B-Boys have a long way to go,” said Nishant Gauchan, a Nepali B-Boy.
True Vision Television-formerly known as the United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), a Thai television covered the two-day event.
B-Boying stands for break dancing. This form of dance mixes different genres such as break, popping-locking and also has elements of sports from gymnastics to martial arts.
sumina@myrepublica.com
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