Meet the 22 year old popper, Chuba from Tuensang popularly known as ‘Popping Chuba’ who started dancing at the age of fifteen after getting to watch a show called, ‘Indian Dancing Super Star’.
The show got him hooked with dancing as he watched it every weekend exactly at eight in the evening and this slowly made him decide to learn dancing.
He then began to draw his inspiration from watching the French dancer, Salah and American dancer, Dytto. And shortly, as he learnt and danced, he was certain that he wanted to embrace the art of dancing and carry it forward.
Chuba is also the winner of the ‘Viewers Choice Award’ organized by Naga Manu Production and has represented Tuensang at the Hornbill Festival Dance Off and has been a winner of many local competitions.
He recently participated in the open dance competition held every year on April 29 which was organized by Nagaland Dance Fiesta.
MTimes: Thank you for your time, Chuba. Tell us a little more about your experience in the dance fiesta.
Chuba: Well, the competition was quite tough but it was a great experience. They had all the great dancers from Nagaland gathered to compete with judges like Nimble Funk and I had a great time competing there.
MTimes: Why do you like the popping style of dance?
Chuba: I like this kind of dancing style because it helps in mental and emotional health and moreover Popping involves contracting and relaxing of muscles so I really like those.
MTimes: How long does it take for you to come up with the choreography and to execute it so finely?
Chuba: It takes more than 3 or 4 days or even may take 1 week. For choreography it takes more time to imagine and think. To make it clean dance choreography I always listen to the music with headphones while sleeping as it helps me to think and create better.
MTimes: What specific movements are important? Are they hard to do?
Chuba: For the popper the main importance for the body movements is to know how to contract and relax the muscle. Yes, it’s very hard to do the Popping dance style compared to other dance forms because popping dance is all about the muscles and it is hard.
MTimes: Would you like to pursue a dance career?
Chuba: Yes, why not!!
MTimes: Describe the best performance you’ve ever put on. What did you learn from it?
Chuba: The best performance I have ever put on was in a competition where I was fully prepared, there was a guest of honor in the show, I was quite nervous but confident and as I performed, the crowd cheered on me so loudly and that was the best experience I had. I learned that a real hard working dancer will always have second chances and learned many good experiences from the other dancers.
MTimes: As fitness plays an important role in the life of dancers, do you also prefer any specific diet?
Chuba: Yes, fitness plays an important role for the dancers. As a dancer, to perform best we need to have the right energy and healthy weight.
MTimes: Do you think dance as a career is possible in Nagaland?
Chuba: No, I don’t think dancing is a good career in Nagaland but yes, if you believe and trust in yourself there is, and moreover, Miss Lamgrace and Sir Shang are doing their best for the Nagaland dancers.
MTimes: A message for our readers
Chuba: I would like to give a short message to our readers that it’s not always about winning. Sometimes we need to face again and again to polish our talents. Sometimes it’s not the pleasure of success that gives up push, sometimes it’s the discouragement of failure that leads to greater success.
I would like to say this to all the readers and especially to the talented artists who keep trying. Even if we don’t reach the top, what really counts is not winning but trying. Just don’t give up.