Quite often I have to eat my own words and I have no shame in accepting that. It was me who wrote on this blog that Delhi is absolutely safe. But after Delhi rape case, the situation seems to change from bad to worse. We read about such incidents on every day basis in the newspapers. So many others go unreported. Crime has increased and women's safety is a serious issue. More so if you are a foreigner, not used to Delhi's culture, traveling by public transport or even traveling around with your local friend or host. You are still a foreigner.
This is a big reason why I do not find it a right time to think about organizing a Tango festival in Delhi. Delhi men are not used to seeing Tango, foreigners, sensual dance and revealing skin. Overseas instructors do not feel safe about traveling to Delhi and I do not blame them.
As a festival organizer, you should be able to host enthusiasts from other parts of the world, ensure their safety and stay. You should be able to fly down the maestros. Huge group of tango addicts from all over the world follows these maestros. Full hotels are reserved. Live band and Tango DJ is flown in.
Festival, in true sense, does not mean getting hold of "Tango Maestros who have plans to travel to India and wish to be a part of the festival as teaching faculty" and asking them to perform, DJ and teach few workshops to the limited number of existing set of students or your own friends and relatives. They are lured to be paid in kind- free stay in the house of one of the student, few free lunches and dinners and if they are lucky, a visit to Taj Mahal or our very own Lotus temple. Or maybe a part of whatever is generated from the workshops. I advise that they should also sign a disclaimer- travel to Delhi at your own risk. Get ready to be molested. The mindset is not to spend anything on updating your skills. Free milongas, traveling maestros and yet claims of being a milonga/festival organizer.
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Yet people want it. Whatever you may do in your life, you got to put your hand in your pocket. What do you do in your free time after work? You go for a movie, go to eat in a restaurant, go for bowling game, join some common interest group- you have to spend money. Choice is yours. You can entertain yourself sitting at home and watch a movie on TV or go to a theatre. You eat at home or in a restaurant. Money will be spent. And if you are looking for freebies and you are a penny pincher, my advice is sit at home. Professionally and ethically milongas should always be paid milongas. Maestros should be flown in and paid in a well organized Tango festival.
Presently, Delhi is not ready to host a Tango festival for people from overseas.
Rather, the Tango enthusiasts from Delhi should travel to overseas festivals and be part of them.
NDTS- New Delhi Tango school has an extremely healthy Tango community. We are like minded, happy people, enthusiast about Tango and we have very positive approach to learning Tango. We participate in milongas together. Those milongas are enriching experiences where no man can ever dare to abuse a woman. My leaders know how to respect the tangueras. We plan trips together. Together we intend to explore well organized festivals overseas and be a part of those.
That way we will all be a part of good tango festivals, participate in full milongas with live band and learn from the maestros. I would rather organize such groups rather than organizing such festival in Delhi where there is no respect for women.
This is a big reason why I do not find it a right time to think about organizing a Tango festival in Delhi. Delhi men are not used to seeing Tango, foreigners, sensual dance and revealing skin. Overseas instructors do not feel safe about traveling to Delhi and I do not blame them.
As a festival organizer, you should be able to host enthusiasts from other parts of the world, ensure their safety and stay. You should be able to fly down the maestros. Huge group of tango addicts from all over the world follows these maestros. Full hotels are reserved. Live band and Tango DJ is flown in.
Festival, in true sense, does not mean getting hold of "Tango Maestros who have plans to travel to India and wish to be a part of the festival as teaching faculty" and asking them to perform, DJ and teach few workshops to the limited number of existing set of students or your own friends and relatives. They are lured to be paid in kind- free stay in the house of one of the student, few free lunches and dinners and if they are lucky, a visit to Taj Mahal or our very own Lotus temple. Or maybe a part of whatever is generated from the workshops. I advise that they should also sign a disclaimer- travel to Delhi at your own risk. Get ready to be molested. The mindset is not to spend anything on updating your skills. Free milongas, traveling maestros and yet claims of being a milonga/festival organizer.
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Yet people want it. Whatever you may do in your life, you got to put your hand in your pocket. What do you do in your free time after work? You go for a movie, go to eat in a restaurant, go for bowling game, join some common interest group- you have to spend money. Choice is yours. You can entertain yourself sitting at home and watch a movie on TV or go to a theatre. You eat at home or in a restaurant. Money will be spent. And if you are looking for freebies and you are a penny pincher, my advice is sit at home. Professionally and ethically milongas should always be paid milongas. Maestros should be flown in and paid in a well organized Tango festival.
Presently, Delhi is not ready to host a Tango festival for people from overseas.
Rather, the Tango enthusiasts from Delhi should travel to overseas festivals and be part of them.
NDTS- New Delhi Tango school has an extremely healthy Tango community. We are like minded, happy people, enthusiast about Tango and we have very positive approach to learning Tango. We participate in milongas together. Those milongas are enriching experiences where no man can ever dare to abuse a woman. My leaders know how to respect the tangueras. We plan trips together. Together we intend to explore well organized festivals overseas and be a part of those.
That way we will all be a part of good tango festivals, participate in full milongas with live band and learn from the maestros. I would rather organize such groups rather than organizing such festival in Delhi where there is no respect for women.
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