The man and his words are grounded but his feet glide over the dance floor in a million salsa patterns.
He is not without a dash of razor-sharp wit as smooth as his moves on the floor.
Mario Hazarika, or SuperMario as he is known, is one of the best salsa teachers in the world and voted “best UK teacher” for several years. The “Million Moves Man” has been teaching for more than 20 years and his workshops anywhere in the world are the most crowded.
“I love what I do. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge,” the Assam-born salsa legend says.
He also has an advanced degree in mathematics. Born in Assam, Mario lived in Tinsukia for four years before moving to Chennai, then to the UK as a teenager. Legendary musician and singer Bhupen Hazarika was his great grand uncle.
On the potential in the Northeast, Mario said, “I am absolutely sure there is a lot of talent in Assam. It just needs to be realised.”
His journey as a dancer began when a friend took him for a salsa class in London. After the class, the teacher came up to him and asked him to promise that he would teach for her in a year’s time.
“I have never paid for a salsa lesson in my life. My friend gifted me the first and the teacher offered me free lessons,” Mario laughs. “When a teacher shows that kind of confidence in you, you are inspired to do your best.”
It also taught Mario that a teacher’s confidence in students was most important for them.
Mario resides in London and has taught in over 70 countries. He has won the British Salsa Congress Award, 2003, for contribution to promoting Salsa in the UK, the Salsa Lifetime Award at the Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 and the UK Congress Award — international Students voted Mario as Best UK Teacher for three years in a row, for 2004, 2005 and 2006.
He came down to Calcutta recently to attend the Kolkata Salsa Weekend (KSW), a three-day Latin dance festival, along with national and local artistes. He conducted a series of workshops with his famous turn patterns and his insights into social dancing, teaching and learning.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mario reiterated, “Always dance because you want to, not because you have to.”
“Everything is difficult at the beginning. It is only natural to be shy or scared. I had never danced before. One has to show people how much fun it can be. Once they are at a party or class, everything is fine. They realise dancing has nothing to do with age and that it’s also okay to go for a salsa party alone. To a beginner, I would say, ‘don’t worry’, just enjoy yourselves.”
On what he liked best about dancers here in India, Mario said he admired their positivity, energy and enthusiasm. “Lead the lady like a flower,” has been Mario’s constant refrain.
He also spoke of five of his favourite things: dogs, family, books, Nando’s in London and his students back there.
Hitesh Teckchandani, Latin dance instructor and KSW organiser, said, “Mario believes that if you can walk, you can salsa. He logically breaks down techniques, paving the way for anyone and everyone to be able to dance. That’s his ‘superpower’. He believes anybody can dance and ensures everybody feels comfortable while doing so.”
Mario acknowledges that there is no dearth of talent in India and the best way to promote it was to organise events like KSW that bring artistes together and helps promote salsa among the masses.
He signed off with a word of advice for all dancers, “Do more classes. If you stop classes, your progression stops. Stay in class if you want to get better. Take it slow and one step at a time.”
