Saroj Khan with the tiny participants of Dance Mania. Picture by Gopal Senapati

The ‘Oh!’s, ‘Aah!’s and wild applause drowned the music as choreographer Saroj Khan took the stage to shake a leg to Chane ke khet mein. Some young dancers joined her and took tips on steps and styles.

Khan was visiting Howrah as guest judge for a dance competition, ‘Dance Mania’. The finals of the competition was held on December 31 at Shree Ram Vatika in Salkia. Though she judged the show through the day, she said she felt good to end her year on a relaxed note as she did not feel the pressure of judging reality shows. “I am amazed to see the talent in these young people, specially the children. The have been practising hard for the competition,” said Khan.

‘Dance Mania’ was organised by Red Launchers and Nik’s Dance Factory, an event group and dance academy based in Liluah, run by Nikhil Kothari. Just a year old, the group decided to celebrate its first anniversary with a dance workshop and competition. The contestants had come from Assam, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and other states. “The auditions were held on December 26 and 27 at the workshop venues. They were held in two rounds from where only 10 participants were selected for the final round. Three of them were judged winners,” said Nikhil. The competition was judged by Saroj Khan and Nikhil himself.