 |
|
B-Boying
Dancing to the moves of da pace union
by TRISHA RAI
| FROM ISSUE # 197 (May 2012) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
 |
|||
 |
REFER TO FRIEND |  |
PRINT THIS ARTICLE |
Da Pace Union, a B-boy crew from Dharan has come a long way in the field of B-boying and has already won the respect of renowned Kathmandu crews for its power moves. Like any upcoming group, Da Pace Union boys have seen their fair share of ups and downs. But not only do these boys break dance, they also volunteer during their free time. 20-year-old Saurab Shrestha, one of the founding members, shared with WAVE what it takes to be a B-boy, "The B-boying trend in Dharan started from dance movies like 'Step Up' and 'Stomp the Yard'. What's not to like about break dancing? It's not only fun but also great exercise because we use each and every part of our body. Just watching B-boys and B-girls doing their thing makes one want to be part of it," and adds, "Da Pace Union learnt B-boying by watching videos from professional B-boys who concentrated more on power moves. So we followed the same methods, until we realised that break dancing just isn't about advanced power techniques. These days, we try and include almost everything in our choreography." However unlike Kathmandu, Dharan doesn't have as many B-boying opportunities. Also, the members of Da Pace Union come from humble backgrounds and can't take up dancing as a profession. Saurab confides, "Due to limited opportunities in Dharan and family pressure, our boys lack motivation and dedication. But we are trying our best. We made it to the semifinals of the Nepali B-Boy Championship. But instead of being disappointed, we saw it as a stepping stone and hopefully next year, we will win the title." Saurab is unfazed by criticism and negative attitude and stands firm on his passion: "Our families question our commitment and ask us what we have achieved from dancing and opening an academy. To be honest, we ask ourselves that too. At the end of the day, what matters most is not what others think about us. Our youngest B-boy is just six years old. When he first came to the academy, we had to teach him to dance by numbers. But today, he moves like he was born to dance. Little things like that make us proud and encourage us to work harder and aim higher." For the Love of B-Boying ou are the future. Hip hop is no longer just a trend or fashion; it has become a way of life for thousands of people worldwide. Hip hop's appeal and influence has now spread far beyond the west and can no longer be ignored. Even Nepali youngsters are being lured into the 'couldn't care less' lifestyle and embracing the four core elements of hip-hop: DJ-ing, MC-ing, graffiti art and B-boying. MC-ing (now known as rapping) and DJ-ing became mainstream performance forms a long time back and are being popularised by artists like Nepsydaz and Inthependence. However, graffiti art and B-boying, started only three years ago, are relatively new. In a short time B-boying in particular has garnered a lot of attention. Most Nepali parents are hesitant to let their children participate in b-boying. "Talai k haat khutta bhachnu man lagyo? B-boy garera dhaad bhachis bhane talai kasle kaam dincha?" is what my mother said to me when I first started B-boying. But we must understand that their knee-jerk reaction is not because they hate hip hop culture. Parents are just trying to protect their children when they say things like that. There are countless youngsters like me in Nepal who face constant opposition from their families, yet it does not deter them from their passion. However, B-boying like other passions has its share of problems. A lot of B-boys and B-girls are seriously considering a future in the field, going to extremes such as skipping school to make time for practice. Please don't be mistaken, there is nothing wrong in pursuing your dreams, however you must consider other important factors before making this difficult decision. Mastering B-boying skills takes a lot of time and not everyone can excel in this art. This is why many instructors advice students to also focus on their studies while pursuing B-boying. Another alarming issue is that B-boying may result in trauma, fractures and bruises. When you are supporting your entire body weight on one arm, or spinning on your head, injuries are very likely. Medical books contain eighteen articles on injuries exclusive to B-boying. Like I mentioned before,"dhaad bhachyo bhaney? tauko futyo bhaney?" No parent wants to see their children getting hurt so it is natural for them to react this way. Amd who's going to pay the bills 20 years from now if you end up in a wheelchair? Also, the long hours of practice might be contributing to the disintegration of modern families. You go to school, come home, then head to practice and return late at night, too exhausted to do anything but hit the sack. You don't get to spend much time with your family except on holidays, where you spend your entire day on Facebook. So b-boying might also be harming our social life. Today, b-boy culture has certainly found its place in Nepal, and events such as, 'Battle of the Year Nepal' provide platforms for youth to showcase their abilities. We now have proper studios where students can practice thanks to Mickey and the Nepal Breakdance Foundation. Nepali dancers are getting more and more confident in their abilities and are entering a stage where every decision has long-term consequences. Hip-hop is a way of life. It is OUR way of life, yet it has to be done in moderation alongside an emphasis on our social and educational life. And always remember, Hip-Hop has a future. YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF HIP-HOP!
B-boying is an explosive dance form, which originated from the streets of Bronx in New York, and has a reputation for being a dangerous recreational activity. Unlike other dances, it requires a lot of speed and athleticism. And since it involves daring, dramatic, unpredictable and downright crazy moves, it is no surprise why it has gained such a notorious reputation.