Love Bachata!

Have you ever heard of the saying “Dance like there is nobody watching, love like you will never be hurt, sing like there is nobody listening”? Certainly, we all have. Dancing is indeed much more than just grooving to your favourite songs on the dance floor. Music adds so much intensity that our feet start tapping on their own. Such is the splendour of Bachata.

Have you ever heard of Bachata? It originated in the 1960s in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is normally considered as an exception in terms of its dance culture. The word Bachata was famous in the country as a reunion, where people played and listened to trendy music. But where were these dance events held? The answer is wherever you are, public parks, street corners, courtyards, etc.

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Bachata is a beautiful, romantic and rhythmic Caribbean dance style. Irrespective of the style, the initial impression of the dance is absolutely unique to any other style of dance.

Mating Call

Bachata - a close cousin of Salsa, exhibits a slower rhythm and accentuated hip movements. It’s a three-step dance form with tap and hip movements on the fourth beat.

It is generally conceived that the smoother and more often the hips move, the more feelings the individual has for the other. Hence, Bachata was used as a “mating call”, two dances with the same partner “sealed the deal”.

Hip movement is an indispensable part of the dance, adding panache and sparkle for female dancers. It is a simpler dance than the conventional salsa since it involves less complicated sequences and fast turns. Traditional steps are slower, although the dance style has evolved to include more variant dance positions and a broader range of music.

Formerly, a fusion of other dance forms like Son Cubano, Merengue and Bolero, and over time, merged some of these movements particularly from contemporary and modern dance, ballroom and hip-hop to become what we today know as Bachata. Patterns that emerge in Bachata are an expression of tenderness and relationships with women.

How is it performed?

Can’t wait to ace this dance form? Bachata is usually performed in a close position. The hand placement may differ, but they are often very close to the dance partner’s body, like almost dancing while in an embrace.

A series of steps are involved in the basic footwork of Bachata which is linked to produce a back and forth movement. Bachata dance go along with a tempo of 4/4 music and 120 beats per minute.

There are three easy steps in addition to four beats of music. Start by making a slithering movement with the right foot on counts of 1, 2, and 3. And on the 4th count, a partner should touch the left toe beside the right foot.

The timing, if called out loud, jingles like “one, two, three, uh; one, two, three, uh.” The walking pattern is alike, with the partners walking backward and forward rather than side to side.

Actually, one has to tap the left toe in place making an upward jerk with the left hip. A similar movement is then done from the right foot. Some dancers may add a few turns or pull their partner closer to polish the dance steps.

For easy spins and weight transferral, the weight is usually kept forward on the ball of the foot. Keep the knees gently bent during the dance to allow control over the lower half of the body. The torso and upper body move freely from the lower half. Mostly, it is the male that leads the female in this form.

Why Choose Bachata?

Since its introduction to the west in the 90s, Bachata’s steps have advanced. Modern Bachata is more vibrant; the steps include a tap and syncopations. Some dancers are even free-styling between sensual Bachata and traditional Bachata in close or open positions, as convenient.

Today Bachata is danced in all parts of the world. It is an entertaining and exciting dance experience for all skill levels. It is definitely a good choice for novices, an extremely enjoyable social dance and a great way to bring couples together.

Elegant dance moves for women, easy to learn footwork for men, and a lot of excitement for all levels of experience are just a few reasons to pick Bachata. Whether you are a first-timer or you have been looking for somewhere to cultivate your love for Bachata, tap your feet to the beats and get set for the groove.

All we would say is break a leg and have fun at your next social dance party.

From the September 2021 issue of FHM India.