Getting groovy with Dancehall

With Dancehall Yahso 2025 all set to be held on March 29, NT BUZZ checks out this growing dance movement in the state

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ

As a child, Siddesh S. Naik would dance to Konkani songs in his dad’s arms, not realising that these moments would spark his love for dance. From then on, various incidents further deepened this love.

A turning point came during his engineering years in 2012 when he joined Mesmerizerz India, a dance crew in Panaji. “I could never afford classes, but my crew became my teachers. We explored various styles, learning primarily through YouTube,” he says.

However, his perspective on dance shifted in 2016 when he attended a three-day workshop in Mumbai. “That’s when I discovered Dancehall, a Jamaican street dance. The energy, the groove, the music – it was so liberating; Dancehall music felt like home,” he says.

Back in Goa, he immersed himself in learning more about the style before returning to Mumbai in 2018 for further training. He also travelled to Spain to learn from the creators themselves.

Eager to introduce Dancehall culture to Goa, he and his crew established a dedicated space in 2018 to teach and learn the style. Based in Mapusa, the space called Dancehall Goa India is run by Naik and his wife, Pradnya.

What started with just one student has now grown to 30 participants, with attendees ranging from 20 to 40 years old. Classes are held in Guirim, Mapusa, twice a week. They also organise events focused on dance education and community building, bringing nationally recognised faculty to Goa for specialised training sessions.

“A community is nothing without its people, and we’re grateful for the students and friends who have been with us since day one. They make newcomers feel at home, turning Dancehall Goa India into a family,” says Naik.

At every event or workshop, everyone takes on a role—some handle logistics, others work on costumes, posters, marketing, or videography. “We’re just a group of friends with different skills, coming together to share our love for dance. And that’s what makes it special,” says Naik.

Dancehall Goa India also curates Dancehall Yahso, a full-day dance and music festival with workshops, panel discussions, performances, and a DJ night. The idea for this festival took shape in 2019 with the thought: ‘why travel to other states for Dancehall when we could create something in Goa?’ “‘Yahso’ is a Jamaican word meaning ‘Right here!’—and that’s exactly what we wanted to build: a space where dance and music are celebrated,” shares Naik.

Having debuted in 2019, the third edition will be held on March 29, 3 p.m. onwards, at Barefoot Goa, Parra.

This year’s festival features Divya Easwaran, a nationally recognised instructor from Bengaluru, who will lead an open style dance workshop. Naik will also conduct a dance and socialising class as a warm-up before the DJ night kicks off.

The Dancehall Yahso workshops are open to all. “Whether you pick up new moves, connect with the music, or simply enjoy dancing, you’ll leave with something valuable,” says Naik.

For those who simply want to enjoy the vibe, you can watch talented dance artistes from Goa and Pune, and unwind at the Caribbean Music DJ Night.

Dancehall Yahso will also host a panel discussion titled ‘Art Meets Business’, focusing on how artistes can turn their passion into a sustainable career. The panel will include Sairaj Dhond, founder of Wakao Foods and a Shark Tank India entrepreneur, who will talk about branding and business growth for artists.

Easwaran will offer the artiste’s perspective, discussing her journey, challenges, and how she built a career through dance. “This discussion is for every artist wondering, ‘Can I make a career out of what I love?’ The answer is yes, and this panel will show you how,” says Naik. Sharing his own experience, he states that building a career in dance isn’t easy, especially at the start. “It often feels like you’re only investing—paying for classes, workshops, and travel with little return,” he admits. “But as you connect with the right people and treat your art as a profession, opportunities start to open up. It takes time, but with persistence, your art can be monetised.”

Art, he says, has been his greatest form of expression and a true blessing and he encourages artists to stay inspired, share their work, and find moments of stillness. “Celebrate the work of fellow artists and surround yourself with those who uplift you. The more creativity you acknowledge, the more you attract,” he says.

He also urges artists to put their work out there, even if they have doubts. “What seems imperfect today might inspire someone tomorrow.”

Coming back to Dancehall he says that this dance form has the power to connect and empower. Instead of predicting its future, he focuses on sharing it widely. “Dance has given me purpose, joy, and a way to express what words can’t. It’s my responsibility to give back,” he says.

He believes dance will always endure, as it’s not just movement, but energy, emotion, and storytelling. “As long as people feel, dance will have a place.”