Agra based dynamic dancer Akash Singh is a dancer with a difference. Akash who is just 22 years old is already the recipient of the international championship, having ranked first in the competition held in Telford (United Kingdom) The initial elimination was held in Bangalore last year and Akash was qualified to participate in the finals which was held on 14th August 2021 in Telford.

Akash presented the dance act "Kathak Fusion" which was a combination of the complex spins, which is the specialty of the Kathak dance style, Akash merged the classical moves with some jumps and swirls with a modern touch with jerky and abrupt movements with the finishing in a languorous stance, which caught the attention of the judges and Akash won the jumbo prize of Five Lakh Rupees. A magnificent feat for this young dynamic and brilliant dancer. Akash was felicitated by the former governor of Uttarakhand, Baby Rani Maurya and other dignitaries.

Akash is the son of Mahaveer Singh and Urmila Devi. Akash with the typical boyish charm says "I have been naturally inclined to dancing from a tender age and regularly participated in dance shows while in School. I used to watch a lot of dancers and am particularly inspired by veteran dancer and choreographer Shiamak Davar, his stylistic moves and persona, really enhances my spirit to do better and better. Dance being a physical art, you have to consistently dance to improve your stamina, I dance every day, it is like breathing, an ongoing process that has to be maintained and nurtured with utmost care. With several dancers around, the competition is really difficult, if you can be the best, it's great, otherwise you could be different, hence I cleverly combined the classical moves with a modern perspective and that really clicked and I’m really happy about it. I would like to have a hat trick and am really looking forward to the challenges in this field which is quite exciting and taxing too"

Further on Akash says "My father is not a dancer but he is always there to encourage me, I am lucky to receive the mental support of my parents, which is really integral in my life and he keeps observing my dance moves and corrects me, the moment I make a mistake. As a dancer one should always strive to do better and the process of growth and development is a long journey with no stopovers, the moment you feel you are perfect, you start stagnating and you fail to proceed further to do better and better. You have to compete with yourself and not with other. It's only then that you can be winner always"

Regarding the hazards of dancing Akash says "The body is like a temple, you have to take  utmost care of every muscle, firstly you have to be mentally prepared to take the plunge with a positive attitude, there is no room for any kind of negativity, you have to live life completely with 100 percent devotion and dedication with whatever you set to do or achieve".

Akash is a commerce graduate with plans to study overseas but his passion is always dancing and entertaining the audience with sheer madness of complex moves. Best wishes always.

By Guru Vijay Shanker