“We have recently started our workshops for the deprived section. Though not on a regular basis we have tried to reach out to street kids and slum dwellers. And the response, though, slow has been satisfying,” says Reza.
His group has also had some sessions with the orphans at St Catherine’s Home, Snatacruz. “Although not on a regular basis, we see students slowly developing an interest in Capoeira, it’s a voluntary interest that we want to be developed within the kids. More that promoting the art, we want the kids to come out and express themselves in whatever form.”
At St Catherine’s, eleven-year-old Asha says she has been practising Capoeira for several months now. “When we don’t have place, we make do with whatever space is available. My friends and I practice every week.” Asked what she likes best about Capoeira, the 11- year old promptly says: “It is the only form of self-defence that does not propagate violence.”
A lesser known martial art in India, Capoeira is often confused with dance but is actually the national sport of Brazil. “After learning it for over ten years, I decided to bring Capoeira to India. But even after three years here, Capoeira is still in its nascent stages here,” adds Reza.
Still, Reza already has a successor who aspires to be a Capoeira master. Sunil Singh (16) who doesn’t remember actively playing any game, now wants to master the art of Capoeira. “I have been learning Capoeira for seven months now. I am the oldest one from St Catherines who is leaning the art. I want to make Capoeira my source of income, by teaching it to others.”
“Some 500 years ago, Capoeira was primarily performed by the then slaves in Brazil to unwind after backbreaking work. It can still work as a great tension-releasing therapy for people in the 21st Century. And this is where the magic lies,” Sunil says.
Learning Capoeira means taking in a whole new culture, learning Portuguese songs and playing at least three musical instruments. Reza’s students play everyday, though it is just the preliminary move.
Capoeira has no age barrier. “My youngest student is a four-year-old, while the oldest is 47 years old. One has to just be young at heart,” quips Reza.
With every one nicknamed in the Capoeira community, Reza is Mechanic Baba, students too have affectionate nicknames. So, there Macao (monkey) to Bombom (candy) and Mel (honey) to Cereja (cherry) and Ninja and even Einstein, everybody leaps into the air for a bit of stress-relief.
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/alive-and-leapfrogging/375403/
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/alive-and-leapfrogging/375403/2