Berhampur jail inmates dance their way to final of online contest

Berhampur: The dance performed by a group of inmates of Berhampur circle jail here has entered into the final stage at a national-level dance competition, arranged by a Noida-based private organisation.
The five-minute dance, a mix of the modern, folk and Odissi, performed by at least 13 male inmates, including three convicts, reached the finale in the online competition. Due to their outstanding performance, the jail authorities here are harbouring hopes of an award.
Clad in white shirts and red ties, five members of the dance group performed to superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s song ‘Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari’ from the blockbuster ‘Chennai Express’. Others in the same group also performed Oddissi and bhangra.
“Besides the performers, others involved in the dance such as the choreographer, make-up artist and others are also inmates of the circle jail,” said D N Barik, senior superintendent of the jail.
After getting a letter from the director general of police (prisons) in this regard, the jail inmates began preparations to showcase their talent. With no help from outside, the inmates prepared the dance and also have done the choreography themselves. Barik said they have at least two choreographers among the inmates.
“We have set up a section for art and music in the jail. At least 60 inmates take part in music, song and dance regularly,” he said. They have also staged plays on different occasions inside the jail premises.
“They have not faced any difficulty performing the dance for the national competition at a short notice as they had been practising,” said Barik.
He said they recorded the dance and sent it to the organisers online on February 11 to enter the competition. The final award will be declared next month, he said.
Besides the dance, the inmates of Berhampur circle jail have also participated in the online national competition on drama and song sections. While at least eight inmates have participated in at least five-minute duration of the drama, five prisoners participated in a patriotic group song, he said. The organisation was yet to screen the drama and song, he added.