Flashback

by Umangi de Mel

Celebrating her 25th year in the field, Kanthi Ranchigoda is back in action with her show called 'Flashback' at the Lionel Wendt on December 8th, 9th and 10th at 7.15 p. m.

"The show caters to both young and old. It's actually excerpts of my previous shows starting from 1992. I'm working on a theme. The first act being the dusk, I've taken a dance act which I did back in 1999 to enhance the effects of this particular time of the day. Well that's how the show will go...," says Kanthi obviously not wanting to reveal the finer facts of the show.

Fire Flies, snakes, moon and the stars with changing seasons... she's created a magical journey down memory lane taking little bits and pieces of all her previous shows.

"Act two consists of old dance acts like Big Spender from Sweet Charity. And of course I've done a few new ones for the year 2006 as well.

There'll be 150 participants whose ages range from four to 21. I've used all my students as I didn't want to leave anyone. I feel it's not fair not to give everyone a chance. My students are part of what I am...," says Kanthi matter-of-factly. According to the versatile teacher, her students have been preparing for the show since last year although they got down to practising only in April, 2006.

"I used to have a lot of helpers in the past, but all those students are tied down with their exams so the show has been entirely the fruits of hard work." Kanthi took the first steps of dance at the Mack school of dancing at the age of five, under Sheila Mack. After the latter migrated, Kanthi went to Timmy Ingleton who also migrated after sometime. Having danced under two good teachers Kanthi finally got the chance to dance under the only Sri Lankan examiner, Crishanthi Nagendra.

"I'd started doing my exams and productions at Macks. Then I continued with the other teachers. It was just after Crishanthi left Sri Lanka that I started the 'Dance Work Centre' as a senior student having completed all the exams. From Crishanthi, I took over with her students," says Kanthi talking about her first steps as a dance teacher, 25 years back.

Claiming to feel just great, Kanthi says that she doesn't look back on the past 25 years. "To me it's history. I just feel that 25 years have gone and I'm starting another 25. It's been very good for me but it's gone. You've to start from there. And I must say I'm very satisfied as a teacher because whatever it is, at the end of the day you love your work.

Today when I look back on some of my students who've done very well abroad, I feel very proud. I'm just looking out for the next generation." It takes many things to be a dancer, she points out. "You should have discipline and dedication. I knew I wanted to do it and did it. You've got to be positive and not deviate somewhere down the line.

It's like any other profession." For her dance means everything, "It keeps you fit. I've branched out to aerobics as it keeps you fit and it's much easier to teach the kids. I help many ladies to keep beautiful bodies and keep fit. It also takes the stress out of their lives."

Being the proud teacher of a very dedicated crowd, Kanthi says she knows that her hard work's paid off when she sees them on stage.

Thus she justifies the words of her teacher, Crishanthi Nagendra who said, "Kanthi's the only one who's taken after me and kept the good work up. I'm very proud of her..."