Think of it as an Inception-style dream within a dream. India has only a handful of ballet schools - there are barely a few hundred trained ballerinas. Male ballet dancers are even fewer - who'd dream of a job that is punishing on the toes, demands lightness, rarely puts you in the spotlight and draws sniggers?
Yet, in several cities, young boys are signing up for ballet lessons, even when they're the only male in a class of 30. They're stretching muscles they didn't know they had, unlearning hip-hop moves, correcting body alignment, appreciating ballet's technical precision. Along the way, they're realising just how different ballet is for a male. Dramatic leaps, dizzying pirouettes yes. But also lifting ballerinas (who can weigh as much as 50 kgs) but making it appear effortless.
It's a gamble from the start. But it offers a better stab at success, more international gigs. See how four young men stay committed and dream within their dream.
Tejas Saraswathi, 19, Bengaluru
Saraswathi started taking ballet lessons when he was seven. The bullying started shortly after. Boys in school would make fun of him for "dancing like a girl". Saraswathi almost gave up. He only kept at it because his grandmother urged him to, and his ballet instructor, Yana Lewis, encouraged him to. Ten years on, "the kids who teased me come to my shows and cheer me."
Still, it's been a tough journey. He studied ballet via the Lewis Foundation of Classical Ballet's outreach programme at his school. He put in the time and the sweat, winning 99/100 in an international ballet exam, and winning this year's edition of the Great Indian Ballet Competition in Mumbai.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Staying well within range
Driving from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar in an XC40 Recharge at night means going against the odds but it's not dangerous
Forget demure, forget mindful
Women are expected to dress their age. But why should arbitrary numbers dictate anyone's choices? Wear what you want, when you want
Bubbling under, boiling over
The year's best food yet, from Bandra to Seoul, from old names and new, from starters to afters
The new spin doctors
Come for the hooping, stay for fire poi, dapostar, leviwand and more. India's newest subculture blends art and athletics, meditation and showmanship, public and private. And it looks great on the 'gram
Shall we put a label on this?
What is high fructose corn syrup? Is red dye good? Dieticians and nutritionists break down the confusing stuff we see on food labels
Pho heaven's sake, explore!
There's more to Vietnam than the Golden Bridge or Ha Long Bay. Discover limestone cliffs, rice terraces, and local foods that haven't made it to the 'gram
No. Wait. She did what?
These mean girls are self-centred, bratty, and can make your life hell. But they stole the show. Read on, loser. And tell us how it wasssss
Are you seeing spots too?
Jyoti Bhatt's serigraphs use traditional symbols in modern ways, creating art that is slyly clever and full of little stories
Leave us to our own devices
Instead of banning gadgets, restaurants should ban people that are actually disturbing the peace
Siam Siam, but different
The reason Indians feel instantly at home in Thailand is because their mix of Hindu and Buddhist traditions so closely mirrors our own, creating a comfort zone abroad