The ‘Friendship’ dance (aka Dhalsa dance) is easy to learn and a lot of fun. It is an ‘ice breaker’ dance that was developed from the ground up for social networking and acts as the ‘ice breaker’ mechanism for ‘in person’ meetings to make new friends. It promotes ‘in person’ meetings with members of the same or opposite gender for friendship (only) at a time when there exists global fear that ‘texting’ is affecting our social behavior. It can also be used for group ‘aerobic work outs’, social dancing and to complement existing dance styles
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Please also read the disclaimer before learning/ participating in the Friendship dance. Sticks or any object that can cause injury should never be used when dancing this style.
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Each step number is associated to the dance style it represents. This makes it easy for us to memorize the steps inside a combination
As an example, Step 1 is always the Dhalsa basic step,
Step two always has two of something (two taps, two stomps,..)
Step three – is usually a turn – three begins with ‘T’ and so does turn
The number four is pronounced ‘char’ in Indian language .Step 4 is always connected to a ‘cha – cha’ step.
Step five is a hi-five step,
Step six is a Salsa turn in the lower combination (‘six’ and Salsa and start with S) and stik styling in the advanced combination six – stiks –(Six – stiks)
Step seven is ‘heaven’ – heavenly styling step.,
Step eight – you’re at the ‘gate’ ready to exit – this is the exit step for the combination.
All the combinations follow this principle. Step 3 in any combination will be a turn – it will be a different turn for each combination – but a turn
Philosophy and etiquette for DHALSING (dancing Dhalsa)
| No | Dhalsa | Other Latin Dances |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhalsa is danced in a circle where partners are continuously rotated by virtue of the dance steps. | Salsa and other latin styles is a one on one partner dance. It is danced typically in a straight line where partners replace each others positions (during turns) |
| 2 | In Dhalsa the ladies move forward on the right foot. | In Salsa on one - ladies move forward on the left foot. |
| 3 | Dhalsa can be retrofitted to most rhythms including hustle, Salsa, Indian garba, etc. | Salsa can mostly be danced only to Salsa rhythm, so also Merengue, Bachata and Indian Bhangra |
| 4 | Dhalsa is a ‘Feel Good’ dance – no posture or styling is enforced | Most dance styles have a rigid enforcement of the posture for that specific dance style. Tango requires a straight posture – East Coast Swing requires a ‘bowed posture’,… |
| 5 | There is no concept of ‘followers’ in Dhalsa | In most Latin and European dance styles the Gentleman is mostly considered as the leader and the lady as a ‘follower’ |
| 6 | The steps inside a Friendship dance choreography are easy to memorize | Traditional Latin dances usually require more technical practice and structured choreography learning. |
The steps inside a combination are easy to memorize. (memory assisted)
Each step number is associated to the dance style it represents. This makes it easy for us to memorize the steps inside a combination
As an example, Step 1 is always the Dhalsa basic step,
Step two always has two of something (two taps, two stomps,..)
Step three – is usually a turn – three begins with ‘T’ and so does turn
The number four is pronounced ‘char’ in Indian language .Step 4 is always connected to a ‘cha – cha’ step.
Step five is a hi-five step,
Step six is a Salsa turn in the lower combination (‘six’ and Salsa and start with S) and stik styling in the advanced combination six – stiks –(Six – stiks)
Step seven is ‘heaven’ – heavenly styling step.,
Step eight – you’re at the ‘gate’ ready to exit – this is the exit step for the combination.
All the combinations follow this principle. Step 3 in any combination will be a turn – it will be a different turn for each combination – but a turn
Note:
Steps in Dhalsa basic combination
1.DHALSA basic step– Gentleman starts forward on left foot (lady starts on right) –FE (Friendship Energy) exchange on left for Gentlemen / right for lady on count two and three.
At end of step 1, the lady moves the sticks to her left hand to make it easy for styling for step2
2.Two taps – no shifting weight on count one. Tap the toes to the ground on counts two and three
Styling for gentlemen: Roll hands in circular motion on 2,3 and 6, 7
Styling for ladies: circular hip movement on 2, 3 – the taps of their feet are almost not visible- hand to sky and hair comb on 5,6,7
To DHALSA Basic step
At the count of 7 (second time) ladies have one stick in each hand (original position)
3.Turn – Right turn for ladies as they switch spots by turning across their partner on the right. Gentlemen do a left turn
Step 1-3 is ladies start with right foot and make a half turn – feet together on 2,3. They place their left foot to the position they need to be in (inside the circle) and do one and a half turn
Styling for gentlemen: none
Styling for ladies: both hands raised to the sky and crossed at wrist on 2,3 through 6,7
To DHALSA Basic step
As they (Gentlemen and female) turn for 5-7 (the second time) they switch the sticks such that both sticks are in the same hand (right hand for female and left hand for Gentlemen). This is needed for the cha cha step
4.Cha Cha (‘char’ means four in Hindi/Urdu and some other Asian languages)
Male dancer puts his hand out on step 1 and asks for the ladies hand and hold it on three as they turn to face outside the circle. Let go of her hand at 7 and holds it on three for the second cha cha step. This time he pushes her hand gently forward (as they turn to face to the outside of the circle) to as they turn.
Styling for ladies and gentlemen: slight bending of knees on 1 and 5
To DHALSA Basic step. The first time both sticks are in the same hand. Then switch the stick so there’s one in each hand for the second iteration (on 5,6,7)
5.Hi Five – All dancers move forward crossing over feet with sticks pointing to the ground. Raise sticks on 5, 6 to hit together positioned above and front of the head on 7 (hopping motion on 7). It’s ahigh five if the dancers meet in the center of the circle – return to original position cross over feet as they step back
No styling –
To DHALSA Basic step
6.Salsa turn – Gentlemen step in front of the ladies and lead them into a turn.
Gentlemen move forward with left foot on count 1, side step to stand in front of the ladies on step 2 and close feet on step 3 (raise hand to ask for ladies’ free [left] hand on step 3). On 5 Gentlemen turns her to her right and places his right foot in the spot she was at, turns to his left on six and brings his right foot close to the left to close on seven.
Ladies step 1-3 is basic step ‘in place’. Step five she takes his hand and turns 90 degrees to her right with her left foot makes a three quarter turn to her right and closes with her left foot on 7
Styling for gentlemen: none
Styling for ladies: right hand to sky on 2 –3 (or as kettle handle?)
To DHALSA Basic step
7.Styling: Men do back steps. Ladies do back steps – right hand at back and shimmer on back step 2,3 and hands in air crossing at wrist on 7
To DHALSA Basic step
8.Exit step arms together and turn – gentlemen asks for the hand of the lady on his right –with his arms folded into hers – he turns around her. Counts 1-7 he makes a semi circle and the second time he completed the circle around her and then on count 7 he pushes her gently behind after releasing his hold and then pushes his right hand behind to hold the sticks of the lady and the lady puts her left hand behind her back to hold the sticks of the gentleman behind her to form a chain.
Styling for ladies and gentlemen: none
They then walk forward in this position. Gent move forward on right foot (same as ladies) to prevent feet from colliding They move forward for two iterations
They then release the grips on their partner’s sticks and do one 7 count step in place to adjust the distance between themselves and their partner. on the count of 6 they do a back step to turn to face the center of the circle and shout ‘Dhalsa’ – bring feet together on 7..
and the combination repeats – or they dance to the next combination (Dhalsa combination 2)
Note:
Steps in Dhalsa combination 2 (or Combo 2)
1. DHALSA basic step– Gentleman starts forward on left foot (lady starts on right) –FE (Friendship Energy) exchange on left for Gentlemen / right for lady on count two and three.
At end of step 1, the lady moves the sticks to her left hand to make it easy for styling for step 2
2. Two cross steps – no shifting weight on count one. Cross feet in front on counts two and three
Styling for gentlemen: Cross hands at knee level on 2,3
Styling for ladies: hand to sky and hair comb on 5,6,7
To DHALSA Basic step
At the count of 7 (second time) ladies have one stick in each hand (original position)
1.Turn – Right turn for gentlemen as they switch spots by turning across their partner on the right- Ladies do an inside right turn
On step 1 gentleman takes the right hand of the lady on his RIGHT and steps in front of her to close feet on 2,3. he then gives places his right foot to her right as he gives her an inside right turn, lets go of her hand and turns three quarter to finish his turn.
Ladies step in place on 1-3 and do a full right turn on 5-7.
Styling for gentlemen: none
Styling for ladies: circular hip movement on 2,3
To DHALSA Basic step
As they (Gentlemen and female) turn for 5-7 (the second time) they switch the sticks such that both sticks are in the same hand (right hand for female and left hand for Gentlemen). This is needed for the cha cha step
2.Cha Cha (‘char’ means four in Hindi)
Male dancer puts his hand out on step 1 and asks for the ladies hand and hold it on three as they turn to face outside the circle. Let go of her hand at 7 and holds it on three for the second cha cha step. This time he pushes her hand gently forward (as they turn to face to the outside of the circle) to as they turn.
When this step repeats the second time he crosses around the lady to his right to take the spot if the gentleman who was there before
Styling for ladies and gentlemen: hands bent like the handle of a teapot – slight bending of knees on 1 and 5
To DHALSA Basic step. The first time both sticks are in the same hand. Then switch the stick so there’s one in each hand for the second iteration (on 5,6,7)
3.Hi Five – All dancers move forward crossing over feet with sticks pointing to the ground. Raise sticks on 5, 6 to hit together positioned above and front of the head on 7 (hopping motion on 7). Then gentlemen walk around on their left (ladies on their right) to return to their original position in the circle.
It’s a high five if the dancers meet in the center of the circle – return to original position cross over feet as they step back
Styling – hit stocks together on all beats 1- 6
To DHALSA Basic step
4.Salsa turn – The gentleman takes the hand of the lady to his RIGHT and turns to face her on 3 step in front of the ladies and lead them into a turn. He then gives her a right turn so that she crosses from under his hand to the position he was in at the beginning of the step.
The lady takes the gentleman’s hand and turns to her left to face him on 3. She then does a three quarter right turn as she passes under his hand.
Styling: none
To DHALSA Basic step
5.Styling: Men circle around the ladies. Ladies do back steps tapping their sticks with their hands in the air. The gentleman places his left foot behind so he’s positioned right behind the lady at count 3. He then steps to her right to displace the gentleman who was at that position at the beginning of the step
To DHALSA Basic step
6.Exit step arms together and turn – gentlemen asks for the (right) hand of the lady on his right –and turns to face her on 3. He then does a side step to his right. He does two more sde steps as he holds her hand to force her into a half right turn on 7 – he moves the stick in his right hand closer to her so she can grab it after her turn – he puts his right hand behind his back to hold onto the stick of the lady behind him to form a chain
The lady turns to face the gentleman on 3. She then does back steps (first one is to her right). During step 5 in the second iteration, she turns to face away from him (a half turn)
Styling for ladies and gentlemen: none
They then walk forward in this position. Gent move forward on right foot (same as ladies) to prevent feet from colliding They move forward for two iterations
They then release the grips on their partner’s sticks and do one 7 count step in place to adjust the distance between themselves and their partner. on the count of 6 they do a back step to turn to face the center of the circle and shout ‘Dhalsa’ – bring feet together on 7..
and the combination repeats – or they dance to the next combination (Dhalsa combination 3 )
The ‘Friendship’ Dance (also called ‘Dhalsa’) can be danced using pencils, drinking straws or just clapping your hands. |
The ‘Friendship’ dance (also called Dhalsa) is a ‘retro fitted’ style – the steps can be fitted into any quick rhythm. It is the ONLY structured dance that can be danced to almost ALL dance rhythms including Latin, Asian Bollywood, Bhangra, Dandiya and many other rhythms |
Coming soon…
Till posted on this page there is NO instructor who has been authorized to teach the Dhalsa dance. Interested parties should contact us using the ‘Contact Us’ form
