E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, AUG 30 -

It’s been three years since Uchit Singh first began dancing to the beats of dubstep—a form of electronic music that incorporates bass and drum beats and is fast gaining popularity in the

international arena. “This is the latest genre of breakdance,” says Singh as he talks about how popular street dance forms like hip-hop, locking, popping and b-boying have become in the country. “These dance forms attract large crowds at a lot of events these days,” he adds.

The popularity of reality TV shows related to dance in Nepal means that various forms are now being promoted here. However, dubstep, a dance form that was introduced in the country some five or six years ago, is yet to make its presence felt. The genre emerged in South London in the late 90s, and Singh was introduced to it by a friend who had picked up some moves in the UK.

The two friends began practicing together, and Singh began working on his movements while watching YouTube videos of dubstep dancers. Singh says that the video sharing website has proved immensely useful in terms of gaining a better understanding of the form and helping him polish his skills. The dancer now uses the same medium to help  acquaint others with dubstep. “We have been making videos and posting them on YouTube under Dubstep Nepal,” says Singh, who is delighted by the responses they’ve received so far from viewers. “The numbers of ‘likes’ and comments we receive have been increasing,” he says. “It inspires us to work harder.”

Singh and his friend Gaurav Singh Hamal perform under the name NepMulisha. “We are a dance duo, but we team up with other friends and dancers while making videos,” he says. Since there aren’t any dance academies in the country which teach dubstep, Singh’s partner Hamal was instructed on the basics by Singh himself.

Dance has always been a hobby for Singh. “I started seriously pursuing my interest in dance when I was 10 or 11 years old,” he says. He recalls spending hours, even days, in front of the TV, attempting to copy the moves he saw. “I remember coming home from school, turning on the TV and watching MTV,” he says. “I wanted to learn how to dance like Michael Jackson.”

Although it will not be an exaggeration to say that he is passionate about dance, he says that it is impossible to consider taking it up on a professional level in Nepal. “There is no platform for dancers here,” says Singh, who is enrolled in a master’s degree in Management at present. Still, he is eager to encourage young Nepalis to pursue their interest in dance. He even conducted a few classes  at the Y-Stand Dance School in Pulchowk in hopes of getting young dancers interested in dubstep. “I went to the centre for four days, but found that the students only wanted to know more about forms like b-boying and hip-hop, which are already popular in Nepal,” he says. “I was met with curious glances. The kids had no idea what I was doing,” he adds.

A genre that includes moves such as the glide and wave and certain robotic gestures, dubstep, Singh believes, will prove immensely popular in Nepal if people are adequately exposed to the form. “Dubstep actually involves advanced levels of popping,” he says. “Although dubstep has its roots in popping, it is more animated, and uses more effects.”

The dancer seems positive about the future of the form in Nepal. “Some DJs have actually started mixing dubstep music here,” he says. Dance, after all, is inextricably bound to music, and the unique sounds required for dubstep to look as impressive as it can, undoubtedly need to be perfected. In the meantime, Singh is busy making as many videos as he possibly can and uploading them on YouTube to help spread the word on dubstep. 

 

Posted on: 2012-08-30 08:34

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