Bangalore
October 6, 2008

It was an event filled with glitz and glamour. The India International Salsa Congress 2008 held at Bangalore recently had dancers from all across the globe find their way to the city to flaunt their talents and woo the audience. They came, they danced and they conquered. But just for a while. Amidst all this magic, was a true star - 14-year-old Bangalorean Shalini Menon who won the hearts and the generous applause of the crowd.

Born visually challenged, Shalini's world to us may seem dotted with insecurity. Fighting all odds this teenager has not limited herself and her potentials. She has made dancing her forte and for this chose Salsa - one of the most sensual dances in the world as her area of preference. And what more, Shalini recently performed at the 3rd India International Salsa Congress - a coveted dream of many a dancers.

Shalu, as she is fondly called among her friends and family, felt the need to learn dance at her sister's wedding almost a year ago. She did not want to just sit while everyone else was enjoying on the dance floor. It was here that she was introduced to Salsa by her sister and another relative.

The bitter experience of Ballet lessons in the past, where she was just made to sit in a corner throughout the class, was a stumbling block to get back to dance. Further, finding a Salsa instructor to train her was difficult.

Soon hope came in the form of John Anthony of Latino Rhythms Dance Academy who willingly agreed to tutor Shalu. Through their initial few interactions, Shalu and her mother Nirmala Menon knew that John could really help them realise her dream of dance.

Till recently all this enthusiastic girl knew about dance was what she heard from friends but now it was her turn to experience the magic of Salsa. With just a few special classes, Shalu picked up her basic steps and was made to join a regular batch of dance learners in March 2008 where she proved herself greatly. Visual impairment never took the better of herself. What followed were serious classes and even serious practice at home. And the fruit of all the hard work was out for everyone to see at the Salsa Congress.

"Shalu learns her steps twice as fast as her fellow sighted learners. Unlike others she has to learn every step by feeling and this is not easy. However being just a few months into Salsa, I must say she is doing very well. I really admire her determination to excel, the need to remain focused and the attitude never to give up", says John who has adopted a practice of providing descriptive instructions on body movements in his classes.

In Shalu's words, John is her best teacher ever and is always encouraging. Initially she was a little apprehensive about how John would teach her. But all her doubts were thrown away because John has taught her in ways that she wanted to learn. She learnt that it was okay to make mistakes and learn. In class, John first describes the step to her and then teaches the same through touch. Shalu is made to feel each movement after which she tries the same herself.

For John too, it's a first-time experience to teach a visually challenged student. But with Shalu picking up her steps very quickly, it brings about a sense of satisfaction.

Partnered by Nalin, a class VI student for the Salsa Congress performance, Shalu is more than happy and thankful. The young couple performed alongside thirteen other couples at their special performance. Months of hardwork and long hours of practice have gone in towards the performance and it all paid off. They were the only team to get a standing ovation after the performance. 

Shalu is able to follow every lead given by Nalin and sees a great friend in him who gives her funny descriptions of each step so she can remember them and yes, he does look for perfection even if it means making her do the step over twenty times.

Ask Nalin what he thinks of his partner and this is what he has to say. "I am happy to have Shalu as my partner. She is quick in picking up steps. And whenever she finds it a little difficult, I do the step myself and tell her to feel my hands, legs and posture."

Shalu's mother is her greatest support in everything she does. "At class my mother very carefully observes John and the rest of them and tells me how to improve my steps. She sometimes even tries a few of them so I may have a better idea", says Shalu.

Shalu is truly a gifted child. Apart from working her way to master Salsa, she has many other talents that are taking her places. With a keen ear and a taste for music, she has completed her 7th grade in the recorder, 6th grade in the Piano and 3rd grade in singing pop vocals along with learning the Guitar. Not only does she play numerous musical instruments but also composes her own songs. Shalu is currently pursuing her IXth standard at Aditi Mallya International School.