It takes two to Tango

Ever imagined yourself in a beautiful embrace dancing to very different fusion beats? Meet Kiran Sawhney, whose expertise in Tango dance forms has earned her the tag of Delhi’s first Tango professional. Metrolife caught up with the ace dancer and teacher to understand the intricacies of what makes Tango tick, just as the nuance of her dance. 

Tango is a partner dance originated in 1890s, earlier known as Tango Criollo. The music beats are derived from the fusion of various forms of music from Europe. The dance developed in response to many cultural elements, such as the crowding of the venue and even the fashions in clothing. 

“Tango is an intimate dance, done in close embrace. The songs and beats are very different from what we are accustomed to hearing (Bollywood or peppy Bhangra beats). In India, close embrace with the opposite gender is a taboo. Women and men are not so comfortable dancing with a stranger in such a close hold. My biggest challenge was to promote this beautiful dance form in such a culture,” explains Sawhney, “I had to adopt many strategies. I had to make people comfortable with themselves and with each other. I had to tell them that this close hold was nothing but a hug. I made two women dance together and two men dance together and slowly got them rid of their inhibitions, so that they start enjoying this soulful dance without blushing and getting too conscious,” she adds.

With varied styles including Tango Orillero and Tango Argentino, the moves involve either open embrace, where lead and follow have space between their bodies, or close embrace, where the lead and follow connect either chest-to-chest (Argentine Tango) or in the upper thigh, hip area (American and International Tango”. Says Sawhney, “Argentine Tango is not for show. It is not for the audience but for yourself.”

It takes over your life. After Tango, there is no looking back. The lives change. You shop thinking about Tango. You have Tango friends. You have Tango holidays. You live Tango.Considering that there is ‘Sri Sri Tango’ under the Art of Living programme, what distinguishes the dance from yoga? 

“Unlike yoga, it is not about postures. It is not choreographed. It gives you the ultimate bliss. That is why it is so addictive,” Sawhney says. She adds, “Tango is purely meditative. When you do Tango, you are completely positive, relaxed, meditative and in sync and harmony with the universe. It is a tough dance to master. It is very emotional. It gives you highs and lows. You are angry, frustrated, guilty, happy, ecstatic, all at the same time. It is like catharsis and ultimately, you come out bright and shining.”

While the demand for Tango classes seems to have increased, Tango is yet to find its footing feels Sawhney. “In Delhi, Tango is about a decade old. I am trying hard to popularise it. I am being supported by the Embasy of Argentina and Institute Cervantes (Embassy of Spain). But we are still not there yet. There is a long way to go,” she sums up.