Stepping to the Beat: Chennai’s 55-Year-Old Scottish Dance Tradition

Tell My Story

Around forty members of the Scottish Country Dance Society of Chennai meet every Monday at one of their homes or a select club at 8 PM for a session of Scottish country dance and good food. It’s a 55 year old tradition that they cherish and want to preserve. It all began in 1969 when the Scotts settled in the then old Madras danced to Scottish numbers every Monday to recreate the Scottish culture they missed thousands of miles away.

Jeyalatha Martin joined the Scottish Country Dance Society of Chennai two years ago to shake her leg for the joy of dancing. She’s loving it. She told tellmystory.in “It’s just not about learning the steps. It’s about preserving a beautiful art form and fostering meaningful connections. It has proved how much one can achieve as a group”.

The year-end Ball in November called the St Andrew’s Ball is their biggest event the community passionately prepares for. Their dancing is showcased here. Guests are invited and some decide to join the group. It’s generally a four couple dance in groups of eight. So even new dancers feel comfortable. P V S Giridhar the outgoing Chieftain of the society says “Scottish dance is a form of social dancing where everybody gets to dance. This is healthy for democracy. In these days of hate and sectarianism dance has a universal appeal of love and fraternity which is essential for a community”.

The group offers dance classes as well to help beginners. “Scottish dancing that started centuries ago in villages and highlands of Scotland has transcended geography, culture and time. Today it unites people from all walks of.life across the globe. I hope to provide an inclusive environment for all dancers. I welcome you all to join the Scottish Country Dancing Society of Chennai” says Ramaprasad the incoming Chieftain.

In other indian cities this tradition has faded, but in Chennai the old Madras it’s thriving, relishing its old rich British connect.Swapna Sundar who’s been a member of this society since 2018 adds “Apart from the dancing and the discipline this Scottish country dancing brings what keeps me in this community coming back for Monday dancing week is the fun of being part of this exclusive community. A community that shares the fun of dancing but also a shared sense of humour”.

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