Mumbai Tango Milonga – dance to unwind

Tango is a dance of passion, of sophistication, of grace and poise. Though, at a glance it looks easy but performing a simple Tango walk needs a lot of patience, practice and dedication. I learnt it at a recent Milonga attended by me and my OH. We went to Cool Chef Café at Worli village where DJ Kitu Gidwani hosts a Milonga almost every week.

Yes, she is the same actress who has mesmerized us with her bold and off beat roles in several soap operas like Trishna, Junoon, Air Hostess, Swabhimaan, etc. She has appeared in various movies as well, the latest being Fashion and Dhobi Ghaat. Kitu has been learning Tango from the past 10 years from Sandip Soparkar and now is a teacher herself. She charges a nominal fee and is always ready to teach the new dance enthusiasts or who are new to Tango. Her passion for this dance form is unparalleled.

Tango is a couple dance which originated in late 1800. It has influences from European as well as African culture. The authentic tango is considered to be the one closest to the form originally danced in Argentina and Uruguay. In 2009, the tango was declared part of the world’s “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO. There are several forms of Tango danced all over the world. It is considered the most fashionable ballroom dance style. A study suggests that Tango makes people feel more relaxed, sexier, and less depressed, as it helps to increase testosterone levels. What better way to look sexy than Tango every now and then. Kitu is a good example of a sexy Tanguera, who stands fit and beautiful even at the age of 55.

Tangueras around Mumbai can find many such Milongas and Practicas happening at various places. Juhu, Lokhandwala, Worli, even Thane has dedicated days in a month when dancers meet to refine their art. In the Milonga we attended, we got some help from Sanjeev who is a veteran in this form. He gave us a brief to make us understand this dance form better. He told us that Milonga is a faster form of Argentinian Tango where the steps are short and a couple dances in close embrace. But as beginners we should always try in open embrace. Every couple dances for three songs in a row. When you don’t intend to dance with the same partner then you say ‘thank you’ to indicate that you would like to move on. The Milonga meet is open to anyone who wants to know about Tango, just hang around to get a feel or simply try out the dance style. Entry fee is Rs 450 which is a cover charge towards your drink and food. DJ Kitu plays classical Tango numbers from all over the world. It usually starts at 8 pm in the evening but to see the real gathering and good dance, you need to stick around till late. To join the next Milonga, follow the FB group: Mumbai Tango Milonga