Sandip Soparrkar wears many hats. He is an Indian, Latin and ballroom dancer, Bollywood choreographer, actor, columnist, dance reality show judge, RJ, TEDx Speaker and holds a Doctorate in World Mythology Folklore from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Shanthi Priya is a renowned actress-classical dancer who has made her indelible mark in Bollywood with Saugandh opposite Akshay Kumar, Mere Sajna Saath Nibhana, Phool Aur Angaar and Meherbaan opposite Mithun Chakraborty and as Shakuntala in the serial Vishwamitra besides the current MX Player series Dharavi Bank and the forthcoming Sarojini Naidu biopic. She is also the brand ambassador for Solitario Diamonds.
The duo chanced to meet when Sandip Soparrkar interviewed Shanthi Priya for Radio Nasha. They discussed classical dance and films over other things. Shanthi Priya learnt ballroom dancing from Sandip Soparrkar. A year later, the duo is performing Rumba to Chaudhvin Ka Chand. Incidentally, the historic Chaudhvin Ka Chand is composed by electrician-turned-gifted composer Ravi, rendered by the immortal Mohammed Rafi, written by Ravi and Shakeel Badayuni and picturized on the innocent and captivating Waheeda Rehman through the eyes of Guru Dutt.
In a television discussion, Ravi averred that it took “just 5 to 7 minutes” to create the music for the evergreen title track, and that too happened as he was arriving home from work. He said he was thinking to have one song use the film’s name when the tune came into his head and he rang lyricist Shakeel Badayuni and expressed his idea.
As Ravi recited the starting few words, “Chaudvin ka chand ho…”, Shakeel continued after a minute: “Ya aftaab ho..” and subsequently a couple of minutes later, finished it with “Jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam, laajawab ho”.
“Chaudhvin Ka Chand is an immortal melody. It is a song that can never be created again. We pay a tribute to this immortal melody through Rumba, a ballroom dance of Afro-Cuban origin,” says Sandip Soparrkar.
Adds Shanthi Priya, “I am a classical dancer first and an actress next. The use of the uninhibited Rumba to convey the essence of an eternal melody like Chaudhvin Ka Chand is a challenge, but then, we are performing for the amazing Wow Awards, and it asks for celebration. Rumba means a party and we intend to make the most of this moment!”
