Ballet leaps into mainstream Indian dance scene

Ballet, a beautiful, technical dance form which originated during the Italian Renaissance in the 15th century and later became a renowned classical concert dance across France and Russia, is opening up its doors to talented young dancers from around the world. In India, ballet is steadily gaining ground, especially among successful male dancers who have made strides at prestigious foreign dance companies and opera houses, despite social stigma at home.

Growing up in the small town of Siliguri at the foothills of the Himalayas in West Bengal, 20-year-old Dipesh Verma always knew he was born to dance. However, Verma’s father, a grocer, was adamant against letting his son pursue the art form, forcing him to practice secretly at 3 am in his room or bunk tuitions to go find any empty space around town where he could just let go and perform, if only for himself.

Unable to enrol in classes in his hometown where dance was simply not accepted, Verma picked up steps from dancers he found online, such as teen prodigy Sophia Lucia and Nick Daniels. It was then that he discovered ballet for the first time.

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