Promoting patriotism through art and dance

KOCHI: Art can play a key role in generating passion and patriotism among our countrymen, says Imtiaz Aboobacker, a choreographer who is out to promote the culture and tradition of the country across the globe.Imtiaz Aboobacker who developed an interest in dance at the tender age of four-and-half-years is now a part of the global cultural group Bharati Iletait Une Fois L’inde which organises shows outside the country to promote its rich heritage.Imtiaz says that people are more attracted to  dance and other art forms which can spread the values of Indian culture and its history.The new generation is greatly benefited by  ‘Bharatiyam’, a finger dance, which Imtiaz claims was coined by him first. The finger dance is used to highlight the sufferings undergone by our countrymen during the British rule. This was first launched on August 15 and is getting ready to be showcased abroad. Imtiaz set up his own troupe Skybirds after passing class ten and took a plunge into professional dancing after Plus-Two. He also set up his institute called Imtiaz Dance Planet.After offering his service as dance instructor in two schools in the city, he had a stint with talent search organised in 2005 and got selected to the Bharati troupe. Since then he has toured 14 countries with the last performance at Morocco in 2011.Imtiaz is preparing for his next stint in Canada and Italy from October.He said that troupe showcases the culture of the country through various dances forms including bangra and folk dances.Imtiaz wants to try a hand in film and advertising also.