yoga classes in pitampura delhi

Meet The Boys Who Ballet

GURUGRAM: Prince, 20, performs a grand plié at the barre, leaping forward and breaking into a graceful pirouette as he joins other ballerinos in a crisscross formation. Shivam, 21, is clad in a bright purple leotard and nude ballet slippers. He attempts a jeté in a sylph-like manner before joining the batch of 10-odd boys at the Central Contemporary Ballet School in Gurugram on a cloudy Friday morning. These are ballerinos who have embraced an art form that is habitually brushed off as ‘female centric’.

Bunking classes to practise dazzling leaps and tricky splits proved fruitful for Prince, who in 2014 was shortlisted by the Kirov Ballet Academy, Washington, with a 100% scholarship. “I used to practise yoga before joining ballet, but I attended one session of this dance form and was hooked,” Prince, whose family lives in Pitampura, Delhi, told TOI.

Prince’s father works as a supervisor in a factory, and his mother is a homemaker. He said they never objected to his interest in dance. Prince was in Class XI when he was offered the scholarship. He stayed in Washington for a year. His accommodation, education, dance training and other expenses were taken care of by the ballet academy.

Five years down the line, his repertoire includes Don Quixote, Le Corsaire and Don Juan. “I left school to practice classical ballet full time. (And) my family has always been supportive.”

With access to YouTube videos, and performances of Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova and Julio Bocca (among other masters of the dance form), many students have started looking beyond jazz, hip-hop and Bollywood, though boys are still hard to spot in ballet classes because not all parents think the way Prince’s did (Prince’s school, that way, is an exception with at least 30 boys practising alongside him. It is run by a ballerino too).

In 2015, two lads from the chawls of Mumbai, Manish Chauhan, 21, and Amiruddin Shah, 15, made headlines after they were awarded full scholarships to study dance for a year at the Oregon Ballet Theatre School in Portland, USA, and the Royal Ballet School in London, respectively.

According to Rafi Khan, artistic director at the Imperial Fernando Ballet Company (IFBC) in Delhi, ballet productions are in huge demand across Delhi-NCR, with between 20 and 25 shows staged annually. “The ratio of ballerinas to ballerinos might not be equal but the number of boys learning the dance form is certainly on the rise,” revealed Khan, who has been associated with IFBC for 18 years. And because it’s very technical, ballet, he adds, is also pursued by athletes and dancers learning other dance forms.

Meanwhile, at a quaint city studio in Gurugram, the boys train meticulously for at least five hours a day, eyes and ears alert to the commands of Sanjay Khatri, their instructor and director. Khatri’s bio on Instagram claims he is India’s first ballerino. This 35-year-old believes ballet has come a long way from the days when there was no formal training in the country. The trailblazing Khatri received his big break when he got to perform at the American Ballet Theatre, and with Korea’s Universal Ballet Company. But the journey hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk. “It was discouraging initially but family members relented later, realising my passion,” he recalls. “I am happy the present generation does not have many apprehensions.” Danseurs do well as they are more determined, Khatri explains, but after learning for anywhere between eight and 12 months, they want to open their own dance studios — understandable, because money is short. To reach professional status, one needs to train rigorously for at least four or five years. “Having practised six hours a day for eight years, you clear the eight grades of ballet – you have to work out every single day,” he adds, stressing the physical effort that ballet demands. While a strict protein-rich diet is important, skinny people do not always make the best dancers. “A body structure with long arms, long legs, small torso and small head, is considered ideal, but dancers from South Asian countries have changed the rules,” points out Khatri. Indeed, a lot of ‘plus size’ people, he says, are more agile and flexible than skinny persons, proof that contemporary dance is breaking stereotypes. Ballet may take a lifetime to master but whether you’re a boy or a girl, or slim or chubby, all you need is passion and perseverance. Just ask ballerino Sanjay Khatri. 

School Notes : DPS Rohini Marks Tagore S 150th Birth Anniversary | The Indian Express

Written by Express News Service | New Delhi | Published: January 23, 2012 1:15:23 am

DPS Rohini marks Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary

To mark Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary,Delhi Public School-Rohini,in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture,Government of India,presented a dance drama Ananya — a celebration of womanhood,at Delhi Private School,Dubai,on January 14,2012. It was indeed a matter of great pride and honour that a team of fourteen students and two teachers,along with school principal Rita Sen,were invited to showcase Ananya at DPS-Dubai.

Apeejay School,Pitampura,celebrates sports festival

Apeejay School,Pitampura,celebrated its sports festival on November 26 and 27,2011,with students of Class VI- XII enthusiastically participating. Everybody was overcome by a healthy competitive spirit to grab the winner’s title and display their grit and determination. Rajni Abbi,Mayor of Delhi,graced the occasion as Chief Guest,and took the guard of honour presented by marching contingents from Class X. Professor K K Dwivedi,Vice Chancellor of Apeejay Stya University,as the guest of honour,declared the meet open and urged the students to remain exuberant about sports as they instill traits like sportsmanship,team spirit and perseverance,along with sound physical habits for life. The school band added its rhythmic beat to the event. The students presented a vibrant and colourful cultural program which set the playground ablaze with rainbow colours and energy. An element of fun and frolic was witnessed by one and all. A scintillating skating show,yoga performance,aerobics,fan & bamboo drill,saree magic showcased the innovative,creative and dexterous skills of the students. Field events were held on both the days,and an elaborate prize distribution ceremony brought victorious and jubilant smiles to the faces of victorious students. Abhay Sikri of Class XI was declared the Best Sports Boy while Sanskriti Chhabra of Class XII was declared the Best Sports Girl. Chandrim Raizada of Class XII exulted as the Best Athlete (Boys) while Radhika Rana of Class XII clinched the title of Best Athlete (Girls). Class X-B was adjudged the Best Marching Contingent. In another event,the primary section of Apeejay School,Pitampura,organized its Annual Day on Friday,December 23,2011. P K Gupta,Special Commissioner of Transport with additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director,DTC,graced the occasion. The students presented Daastan-E-Dilli,a sparkling cultural extravaganza which mirrored the making and remaking of Delhi as the capital city of India. The programme depicted the era starting from Indraprastha to the end of the British rule.

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Apeejay School,Saket,marches on to victory

On December 17,2011 ,Apeejay Campus was resonant with the busy hum of students of pre-primary and primary wing as they all gathered for their very own Sports Day — Marching Forward To Victory. The impressively organised event saw children enthusiastically participating in various creative displays such as Band Display,Taekwondo,tennis tactics,Pyramid yoga ,Hot Wheels,etc. The show was interpersed with innovative races for parents and students. Speaking on the occasion,guest of honour Squadron Leader S R Sawoo exhorted the students to actively participate in various games included in their curriculum. The guest of honour,Amit Khanna,applauded the school for its singular efforts towards providing the best sporting facilities to students. A resounding success,the Sports Day was indeed an unforgettable experience.

Annual book week at St Mark’s,Meera Bagh

Every year,St Mark’s Sr Sec Public School,Meera Bagh,organises a ‘book week’ to enhance literary skills and inculcate reading habits among students. Keeping the tradition,Book Week for the session 2011-12 commenced on December 12. The event was graced by Kamlesh Mohindra,educationist and writer of children’s literature,and was inaugurated by Principal A Aggarwal. Following this was a chain of week-long competitions and events. For the tiny tots of Class I,a story-telling session was held with well-known author Kamlesh Mohindra. For students of Classes II to V,there were various contests such as ‘Talk about a Fairy Tale Character’,‘Draw and Colour a Story Book Cover’,‘Grammar Games’,‘Build a Story’ and ‘A Quiz on Story Books’. Students from Classes VI to VIII participated in contests such as ‘Complete a Story’,’Extempore’,’Treasure Hunt’,’Enact a Proverb’ and ‘Create a Mini Newspaper’ in which the students displayed their linguistic and creative skills. Students from Classes IX to XII took part in ‘Compose a Poem,Illustrate & Recite it’,’Book Review’,’Quiz on Books and Authors’,’Taboo’ and ‘Mastering Idioms & Phrases’. Amidst all the competitions,selected students from Class VIII got the opportunity to learn the nuances of cartooning from famous cartoonist Ajit Ninan. The members of the readers’ club ‘Odyssey’ had an enrapturing interactive session with renowned writer Vaijayanti Tompe.

Annual Winter Carnival at Springdales,Dhaula Kuan

Springdales School,Dhaula Kuan,hosted its Annual Winter Carnival on December 18,2011. A much-awaited event,the carnival enjoyed huge crowds and enthusiastic participation by students as well as their families. The stalls offered fun games as well as lip smacking delicacies. The talented singers from the school enthralled the audience with their rendering of popular Hindi and English songs. Highlight of the program was the fashion show put up by the junior school students sashaying down the ramp in dresses of different categories like ethnic,contemporary,sportswear,etc. The carnival turned out to be the shopper’s paradise as the crowds indulged in buying the amazing items on offer.

National Education Day celebrated at DPS,RK Puram

On NOVEMBER 11,Delhi Public School,R K Puram,celebrated the National Education Day with a tribute to India’s first education minister and eminent educationist Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad. The school held a special assembly on this occasion. The Principal,Dr D R Saini,addressed the students and spoke about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s crucial role in India’s freedom struggle. Dr D R Saini called Maulana Azad “a great educationist honoured by the highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna who fought against discrimination on the basis of caste,religion and creed”. This was followed by the message from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh,which was read out by the headmistress ,Anita Singh,to all students to emphasise on the importance of education. The message,highlighted the Shiksha Ka Haq Abhiyan inspired by the great freedom fighter who ‘dreamt the dream of education for all’. All students were advised to work hard and make good use of all resources available to them. This was followed by a performance by the school orchestra of Class VII on classical songs,and a dance. Students presented their views on the need for proper education to ensure the healthy growth of the country.The celebration of the great freedom fighter’s birthday was a great learning experience for all the students.

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Delhi: Yoga Instructor Clicks Explicit Photos And Videos Of His Woman Student; Blackmails Her Seeking Sexual Relationship

After clicking explicit photos and videos of a woman, a 27-year-old yoga instructor started blackmailing the woman he was giving instruction to. He demanded physical relationship with her and started stalking her after she refused his advances.

Despite a case was registered at Civil Lines police station about the harassment by the family, he continued to harass her. The accused Sonu Sharma, who is also a Judo player, ran away and started sending messages to the woman to leave her family and be with him. After a month-long run, the police traced him to Bhiwani.

According to Additional DCP (north) Harender Kumar Singh, the accused, who is a Judo player, won gold medals at junior national and school national levels. The police took him on one-day police cutody.

The woman used to visit Sharma’s house for yoga classes. He felt something for her and started making advances but the woman did not respond. In order to force the woman, the accused allegedly clicked her explicit photos and videos while instructing yoga to her. Blackmailing her, he threatened that he would upload those photos and videos if she did not get into a physical relationship with him.

After a case has been registered under IPC sections of stalking and criminal intimidation, a police team went to Sharma’s house but he was on the run. In order to stalk the woman, he created at least 12 accounts on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp unsing fake IDs.

The police traced Sharma’s IP address and a team of police was sent to Bhiwani on Sunday where he was taken into custody.

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