Software engineers Priya Randolph and Rohit Chaturvedi from Oracle, Bangalore, recently participated in the United Kingdom Alliance Professional Teachers of Dancing (UKA) medalist competition in Blackpool. Held this June, the couple were the first Indians to be a part of this competition and signed up for three separate events — Rumba, Waltz and Jive. They returned with trophies for all three events, winning runners-up in the Rumba and coming fourth in Waltz and Jive.
The medalist competition attracts participants from across the globe every year and this years’ competition had over 2,000 couples for various categories. According to a press release, David Roberts, CEO, UKA, welcomed the Indian couple to compete at an International Ballroom and Latin Dance championship of this nature, amidst loud cheering. “We have had couples from China, Japan, Portugal and Sri Lanka but this is the first from India.”
Dance was introduced to Priya and Rohit at a corporate workshop in February last year by Mridula Martis, Licentiate with the UKA. They went on to get their silver medals in Ballroom and Latin and decided to professionally train with Mridula for this competition. “From November last year, we decided to start saving up for the travel and dance costumes and it was worth it,” says Priya, adding, “We weren’t expecting to be recalled but it was really unbelievable when our number was announced as the finalist and runners-up. The standard there is very high with people who have been dancing all their lives. For us, it was the first time and the experience really opened our eyes. Dancing on that huge floor in front of 2,000-odd spectators and over 2,000 participants was definitely worth the effort and the investment.”
“They (Priya and Rohit) have worked really hard and want to continue their professional training in dance. Their commitment and talent had to be recognised and will serve as a good example to others interested in taking dance to a professional level. Indians have a very good chance as they have a natural sense of rhythm and will work hard at any project they undertake,” Mridula, who was present at the event as a jury member for the rock & roll and freestyle event, was quoted as saying in a press release.
“I never thought I would get this far. Life has always been work, work and work and dance really takes that monotony away,” adds Rohit.