Breaking
Dance
Mekhola: I hope next-gen dancers get the same recognition as me
The waacker from Kolkata speaks about her achievements and the acclaim she has received from the Indian dance community and beyond.
Mekhola is a street style dancer who has been practicing for over 12 years.
She specializes in the waacking style but has also practiced several other street styles and is a respected member of the Indian dance community.
She has been excited about Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final 2024, which is taking place on 9th November at NSCI Dome in Mumbai.
Her she speaks about her journey, achievements, and what it means to be associated with Red Bull Dance Your Style.
Could you tell us about the dance styles you practice and how you discovered those styles?
About 12 years ago I started dancing with an all-styles crew called CKN. As a crew we would train in many street dance styles like breaking, popping, locking, etc. My main style is punking/waacking. I started practicing it because I grew up listening to disco pop music through my parents and I really enjoy it. I also have a diploma in contemporary arts where I have briefly learnt jazz, ballet, kathak, tap, and contemporary dance. I use the tools and techniques I’ve learnt and try to fuse it with my freestyle or choreography.
How would you describe your identity or persona as a dancer?
I am mostly a quiet person and I think when I dance I am my most expressive, explosive self. I just give in to the massive flow of energy that comes from within me; it’s something I can’t explain in words. I like to add a personal touch to my moves to make it feel meaningful. Sometimes I invent a backstory for the identity I assign myself for a particular battle or performance. It makes things interesting and fun for me. If not, I just let the music trigger what persona I may to bring to the floor. As humans we are so many things all at once and I love the freedom of freestyle because it let’s me personalize parts of my dance. So it really depends on the day/jam, haha. I’ve realized that my persona off stage and my persona on stage are just two sides of the same coin – and both hold equal value.
What has been your journey in dance?
It’s difficult to summarise because it’s been more than a decade. But I’ve had experiences of curiosity, uncertainty, friendship, bravado, wisdom, injuries, wins and losses, and so much more. It’s the small details that have made my dance journey interesting. To cut a long story short, I’m just glad I took a road filled with incredible music, passionate people, and lots of laughter.
Could you tell us about some significant shows/showcases/competitions/stages where you have performed?
I have won national jams for the last 10 years and taken part in a few international jams. Although I couldn’t get through any of the prelims internationally, I made it to top-8 of the event Way I Waack in Poland in 2023. That whole experience was very special to me. Winning the Red Bull Dance Your Style East India Qualifier 2022 in my home city Kolkata was a great feeling. I have qualified to the Red Bull Dance Your Style India Final for three years – including 2024 – and it has been incredibly fun. In 2024, Ronnie and I also won the Red Bull Your House is Waack Battle, judged by Boubou and Frankwa.Waackspace battle in Pune 2022 was another memorable one for me as I was the judge. My first national all-styles win at Freeze the Jam 2014 in Bengaluru will always be special to me, and also went on to win it two more times, judged by B-Boy Storm.Additionally, I’ve been a contestant on the TV show Dance Plus Season 3 as part of the House of Suraj team and I featured as a waacker in a film called Yeh Ballet on Netflix. I also star in a new webseries called Waack Girls that is set to release later in 2024 on Amazon Prime Video and I’m really looking forward to that!
How do you feel about Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final taking place in India?
It’s super exciting to finally be able to see a world final in India and witness some of the best dancers from around the world get down. Since the audience is directly involved in this format, it helps introduce new people to the world of street dance from outside the jams, which is needed for the scene to expand. I also think that Indian dancers overall are doing so well, so it’s the right time for more people to notice and get involved in the scene!
Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final 2024
© Red Bull staff
When did you find out you would feature on the limited edition can for Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final, Mumbai/2024?
First and foremost, shoutout to the photographers who captured me in action. We share this moment! When I initially got the call from the Red Bull team, I was so surprised and in awe. It didn’t quite sink in initially. But then I started seeing my photo on the Red Bull Dance Your Style posters everywhere. And that’s when it became so real for me. I still cannot find appropriate words to describe this feeling so I will simply say I am truly grateful for this moment. It’s a highlight in my dance life that puts big smiles on the faces of my family, friends, students, and myself.
What does it mean for the Indian dance community that an Indian dancer gets the recognition that you have received?
I never imagined this could be a possibility in my lifetime. It’s an honourable moment in my dance career. I’m grateful and I’m also hopeful that the next generation will see these gestures as reassuring while they relentlessly follow their passion. Sometimes it can be difficult for a dancer to keep going in our environment. This feature is an example of the many possible ways that a dancer from India can achieve recognition. Thanks, Red Bull; I feel blessed!
