Dey (centre) gives lessons. A Telegraph picture

Siliguri, Nov. 5: An “overwhelming” response to his first-ever workshop in Siliguri does not come as a surprise to dancer and trainer Tito Dey.

“It is just the reflection of the times,” said the son of legendary dancer Peter Dey, swearing that he was never so busy before. At the workshop, the western dance exponent offered lessons on Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Jive and Salsa.

Around 50 participants reported for Dey’s 15-day workshop on Latino dance that began on November 3 at Blue Mountain Country club in Dagapur, four km from here. “This is more than what we had expected and were prepared for,” Nibha Prasad, the club proprietor, said.

“Siliguri has a lot of potential and talent, but absolutely no opportunities,” he said. “It is quite impossible for a lively, vibrant town not to be influenced by the wave of Western dance, particularly Latino.”

According to Dey, training in these dance forms is also good exercise. “Without being stressful, these dances help people keep fit and lose weight. They also correct posture and improve the carriage of a person, giving an extra edge to the overall personality,” he said.