Mangalore: `Saroj Khan's Dance' Competition - Gavin Rodrigues, Gwyenne D'Souza Among Winners

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, July 11: Gavin Joshua Rodrigues and Gwyenne D'Souza were declared winners in the solo dance competition of `biggest talent show and audition' held here on Saturday July 10.  The competition was judged by none other than veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan who had come down to launch Saroj Khan Dance Academy in Mangalore in association with Western Institute of Technology at Hotel Gateway.   

The dance competition had solo rounds for three different age groups and group dance round for two different age groups. Participants from Udupi, Madikeri, Kasargod and other distant places participated in the event and there were audition rounds for the groups in the morning session.

Gavin Joshua Rodrigues who was with Vinod Sequeira's Ocean Kids, Dubai until recently and participant of this year's Boogie-Woogie International – UAE finals was the winner of solo from age group 12 to 15 years. Student of Lourdes Central School, Bejai he was trained by Sagar of Ocean Kids, Mangalore. In the above 15 years solo Gwyenne D’Souza of Excellent Academy was the winner. She studies at St Agnes College and was trained by Sandesh Jahnavi.

Shreya Jain from Ocean Kids, Mangalore who got trained by choreographer Satish was declared winner along with Siri and Sadhwin Shetty in the solo competition up to 12 years category. Siri got special appreciation from choreographer Saroj Khan.

In the group category X-Zone, Mangalore trained by Deepak of Ocean Kids were the winners in the below 15 years category, while Sunil Shetty and group, Surathkal adjudged winners in the above 15 years category.

The winners were awarded with gold medals and cash prizes along with fee discounts to various courses in Western Institute of Technology and 25 per cent fee discount in Saroj Khan Dance Academy.

This academy was the brainchild of Khan and she decided to open the institute here as she was totally enthralled by Mangalore’s beauty and greenery during her previous visit two years back. “I cannot speak. I can only dance,” said Khan launching the dance academy.  She further added that the participants were good and that there was scope for improvement if they practice a little bit harder.

“It’s a great achievement of Western Institute to get such an honoured person like Saroj Khan to Mangalore. Mangalore has talented dancers and if they are guided properly, we can have another Prabhu Deva or Michael Jackson,” said MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

“It does not matter if you win or lose. To dance in front of Saroj Khan in itself is a great achievement,” said regional manager Udayavani Anand K.

MLA B Ramanath Rai, daughter-in-law of Saroj Khan Shabnam Khan, Pandit’s Health Resort’s Lal Goel, Benefit India Limited Chairperson Ruby Agarwal and Western Institute of Technology president Walter Stephen Mendes were the other dignitaries present. 

Flora Mendes welcomed the gathering.  Walter Stephen Mendes proposed the vote of thanks.