Vijay, who is head of his well-respected dance studio in Bangalore, has nursed Indian Salsa from infancy to its current blossoming popularity. "I've been teaching in Bangalore since 1997. And every year, the dancers are getting better. Every year, more and more students come for instruction. And many of my students have gone on to found their own studios, so it's a growing trend."
Judging by the results from the competitive circuit, Lourd Vijay's studio is teaching the right steps. In the ESPN World Salsa Championship India Qualifier -- a competition too close to call with an untrained eye -- the grand prize was taken home by Lourd Vijay Dance Studio proteges, Madan Kumar and Bindhu Prassana. The duo earned near universal admiration from a panel of world class judges, and will go on to represent India at the World Championships in Orlando, Florida, USA, this December.
Another event, the All India Amateur Salsa Championship, proved that amateur dancers can be just as talented as the professionals. Though the competition was intense, in the end, Jose Varghese and Neha Goswani -- who've only been dancing together for five months -- secured first place. "The victory hasn't even fully sunk in yet," said a glowing Neha afterwards. "It's very, very cool," quipped an exuberant Varghese.
In this photograph: Madan Kumar and Bindhu Prassana, who will represent India at the Salsa World Championships
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