Dance
Meet Mekhola, a waacker who loves exploring infinite things in dance
Mekhola is part of the top-16 at the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2022 India Finals, hoping to win it all and represent India at the world finals.
Mekhola is a punking/waacking artist who has been dancing professionally for 11 years.
She recently placed among the top-4 at the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2022 India East Zone Final. She now proceeds to the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2022 India Finals where she will be among the top-16 dancers from around the country, hoping to win the national final and become India champion.
Mekhola loves the community connections formed due to street dance and hopes to make international connections by representing India at waacking jams in Europe. She sees Red Bull Dance Your Style as a way to get on the international stage since the India champion will represent the country at the world finals in South Africa later this year.
Here Mekhola talks about her journey in dance, her plans for her career, and much more.
- Name: Mekhola Bose
- Age: 29 years old
- City: Kolkata
- Dancer name: Mekhola
Mekhola
© Focus Sports
What does your dancer name mean?
My stage name is what I was named at birth; no special story.
Are you part of any crew?
Yes, I'm part of Crafts of KammotionN (CKN), an all-style crew from Kolkata.
Where do you usually practice?
We usually practice in my living room, unless we need a bigger space to rehearse choreography.
Could you tell us about how you got started in dance and your journey so far?
I got into street dance around 2011, through some friends who knew street dancers. Eventually, I had to battle my way into CKN Crew. My journey has had the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but I count my blessings and I'm glad I’m still here.
What is the main street dance style you practice? How or why did you get drawn to this style?
The main style I practice is punking/waacking. It's a 1970’s disco style and I'm majorly attracted to it for the music, the adrenaline and the moments. The more I explore this style, the more things I find to love about it.
Aside from your main style, what other street dance styles do you practice?
Other than waacking, I practice styles like breaking, popping and locking.
Top-4 from Red Bull Dance Your Style 2022 India East Zone Final
© Focus Sports
Which is your favourite genre of music or favourite song to dance to?
I used to be a musician before a dancer, so that's a tough question! I enjoy most music; it all depends on my mood and situation.
Who are the dancers from the local and international scene who have inspired you?
I find so many amazing dancers in the India scene, but I’d say the most inspiring for me is my mom. She has a lot of heart when she dances. Internationally, I was first inspired by Yoshie when I saw her battle Salah in the 2009 Street Dance Kemp (SDK). That was the first time in my life I believed that I too could defeat my senior crew members in a dance battle one day.
What do you love most about street dance culture?
What I love most about street culture is there are infinite things to explore and ways to connect.
What do you remember of your first-ever dance battle?
Raasta Jam 2 was one of my first battles. I was competing as part of the junior CKN Crew. We reached the finals and won the final battle against the senior CKN crew.
What has been your greatest achievement in dance so far?
My biggest achievement is that I haven’t given up in my dance career till date. Also, some important jams I’ve won are Freeze, Asian Battle Ground India and Cypherlogy.
Is there any one stage, event, competition that will be a dream achieved if you perform there?
I wish to attend the waacking jams in Europe.
Mekhola at the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2022 India East Zone Final
© Focus Sports
Is there a particular goal or target you have set yourself?
The goal is to just use my potential and enjoy the moments that come with the process. The rest is uncertain.
Any dancer across the world that you want to collaborate with?
Yes, I would love to dance with Mizuki Flamingo, because her dance videos inspired me to start Waacking initially.
What had you known of Red Bull Dance Your Style before? Why did you decide to participate?
My crew member Rawshan participated in Red Bull Dance Yor Style last year, so this year a lot of us from the crew decided to get down and have some fun at this dance competition. The concept is interesting and so far, it's been quite entertaining.
What do you hope to achieve if you win Red Bull Dance Your Style India Finals?
I don't think about winning anymore; winning is futile to me. I only think about the round and if I can do justice, it will work itself out for a win.