Beats & bold moves on a barge: Kolkata's dance scene makes waves at a one-of-a-kind battle

Time of India

20-05-2025

Kolkata recently got a taste of high-octane street dance with a splash of the unexpected this weekend as the
Red Bull Dance Your Style
Kolkata Regional Qualifiers set sail – on a boat, at the
Bengal Paddle
.
In a spectacular first for India's street dance scene, 16 of Kolkata's most dynamic dancers battled it out one-on-one aboard a barge floating on the Hooghly, hosted by Bengal Padle.
With an open sky, river breeze, and a lively crowd cheering them on from deck and dock, the event brought the underground to the waterline, proving that dance—and culture—need no fixed stage.
This floating showdown wasn't just about the stunning backdrop. It marked a bold, experimental leap in urban performance spaces, redefining what it means to take the stage. The unpredictable format of Red Bull Dance Your Style—where music changes on the spot and the crowd decides the winner—was taken to new heights (and depths) aboard this unconventional dancefloor.
After a series of electrifying, all-style duels, four dancers emerged as the undisputed crowd favourites: Boogie, Nextion, Majin Boo, and Smooth Boog. These four will now represent the East at the Red Bull Dance Your Style India Final in Delhi, where they'll face off against finalists from the North, South, and West.
And it doesn't end there—whoever clinches the national crown in Delhi will go on to represent India at the World Final in Los Angeles later this year.
'Dancing on water? That was next level!' said finalist Boogie, catching his breath after back-to-back battles. 'You don't just have to move to the beat—you have to hold your ground on a rocking boat while doing it!'
The Kolkata regionals were part of a broader structure rolled out by Red Bull Dance Your Style India 2025, which began with online auditions. Dancers from across the country submitted entries digitally, out of which 16 were selected for each regional qualifier—North, South, East, and West.
The concept is as unique as it is thrilling: there are no judges, no set playlists, and no choreographed routines. Just pure freestyle, raw energy, and crowd verdicts.
As Majin Boo, another finalist, put it, 'You've got just a few seconds to connect with the beat—and the audience. It's the most honest
dance battle
you'll ever do.'
Kolkata's top four are now ready to take the energy of the Hooghly to the national stage. One city, four dancers, and a dream to dance their way to Los Angeles.
From boat decks to global spotlights, Red Bull Dance Your Style is changing the rhythm of the street—one battle at a time.